Zero waste swaps may seem small and inconsequential, but collectively, over time, they can make a massive dent in your personal footprint and the waste epidemic more generally.
The average American throws away 4.5 pounds of trash daily, which amounts to an unimaginable amount of waste per year that’s sent to landfills or burnt. Adopting zero waste habits and using low waste products like reusables, plastic-free and naked swaps goes a long way over. Especially when you get people en masse making the same lifestyle changes.
We’re firm believers in progress over perfection, because there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ way to approach low waste living. So, while this is our ultimate list of easy zero waste swaps, you don’t have to make all these changes at once.
We suggest choosing one you’re most likely to stick with, and then add another and then another, until you get in the sustainable swing of things!
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Index: Easy Sustainable Swaps For The Home
- Reusable Water Bottle Jump to section
- Plastic Bags & Wrap Jump to section
- Take-Out Containers Jump to section
- Paper Towel Alternatives Jump to section
- Laundry Detergent Jump to section
- Dish Soap Jump to section
- Refillable Cleaning Products Jump to section
- Shampoo & Conditioner Jump to section
- Deodorant Jump to section
- Dental Care Jump to section
- Razors Jump to section
- Hand Soap Jump to section
- Lotion Jump to section
- Makeup Jump to section
- Sunscreen Jump to section
Reusable Water Bottle
There’s a reason why this is often the first zero waste swap suggestion.
1.3 billion plastic bottles are discarded daily across the globe, leading to tons of plastic waste that can take upwards of 450 years to deteriorate, releasing harmful microplastics into surrounding ecosystems.
But it’s not just the stats, swapping to a plastic-free water bottle is one of the easiest zero waste swaps you can make.
Certified B Corps like Klean Kanteen could save you over 150 plastic water bottles annually. The metal water bottles are durable and available in several sizes, widths, and colors—each designed to keep hot liquids hot and cold drinks cold.
The chip-resistant, powder-finished, Insulated Classic features Climate Lock vacuum insulation alongside 18/8 BPA-free stainless steel.
The Climate Neutral company also offers upgrades like steel straws, interchangeable caps, and other accessories.
Or, ditch your flimsy plastic bottle with a colorful and durable Hydro Flask. The world-renowned manufacturer is known for their BPA and phthalate-free 18/8 stainless steel bottles.
Each Hydro Flask comes with a lifetime warranty for guaranteed durable drinkware—and if you’re still not sold, we’ve tested both brands and can attest to their quality.
My Personal Review of Hydro Flask’s 32 Oz Wide Flex Straw Cap Water Bottle:
“Hydro Flask bottles have been my favorite for the past decade. I just upgraded to a wide-mouth bottle with a flex straw cap, which makes on-the-move sipping super easy. Unless a landscaping truck takes one out (RIP my first), they’re nearly indestructible. The straw cap isn’t as leak-tight as the regular caps, though, so I wouldn’t toss it in my backpack.”
My Personal Review of Klean Kanteen’s TKWide Water Bottle:
“Klean Kanteen’s water bottles are super durable. They’re made from recycled stainless steel and the textured powder coating on the outside helps me keep a firm hold. Compared to my other bottles, this one has much fewer dents on the bottom from accidental drops! I’m also a fan of their wide-mouth tumbler, which is great for enjoying hot drinks like coffee.”
Reviews by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Plastic Bags & Wrap
Plastic food storage items may seem like a lesser evil, but they can contain harmful chemicals that negatively impact human health and the environment.
Single use plastic bags and plastic wrap can contain phthalates, known endocrine disruptors that can interfere with hormonal function and lead to various health complications, like infertility and cancer.
Instead, get a buzz with sustainable kitchen swaps—namely alternatives to Ziploc bags and plastic wrap from brands like SuperBee.
We’ve tested their wraps (and a bunch of other beeswax wraps) made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, coated with beeswax, tree resin, and organic coconut oil. Not only are they bee-autiful, but the biodegradable wraps also do a fantastic job at sealing and keeping leftovers safe.
Another eco swap we love is the reusable silicone bags from Stasher.
Stasher’s zero waste simple swaps replace all your plastic bag needs, ranging from snack bags and sandwich bags, to 104 oz mega freezer bags.
The dishwasher-safe, freezer-friendly, and microwave-ready bags eliminate the need for traditional plastic produce bags.
None of the options contain BPS, BPA, lead, phthalates, or latex, and if you’re unsure about the durability, our original Stasher bags are still holding strong after multiple years.
My Personal Review of Stasher’s Food Storage Bags:
“I switched to Stasher bags instead of Ziplocs years ago, and I’m so glad I did. Their self-sealing design keeps snacks and sandwiches super fresh, and they’re perfect for use on the go. What I love most is that they’re made from 100% silicone, unlike other silicone bags with zippers made from materials that can melt in the dishwasher (I speak from experience!).
I’ve used them in the oven, freezer, dishwasher, and sous vide without a problem. I don’t own a microwave, but Stasher says they’er fine for that too. Just be sure to dry the inside of the bag thoroughly after washing to prevent mildew from forming.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Take-Out Containers
Hard plastic containers can contain Bisphenols, like BPA and BPS. These harmful chemicals are linked to countless health issues, like type 1 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, and developmental problems.
These compounds can leech into your food and cause so much waste, ending up in landfills or polluting the environment with microplastics, heavy metals, and dioxins.
Reducing our reliance on old tupperware is an easy zero waste swap, and Caraway makes it even easier.
They offer some of the safest food storage containers in the form of high-quality glass containers coated with non-stick ceramic. They come in small, medium, and large sizes—available in the complete Food Storage Set with additional fabric-covered cabinet organizers.
Or keep your kitchen klean with the stainless steel containers from Klean Kanteen, like our favorite Good To Go Kit, which includes the Food Box and Insulated TKCanister.
The leak proof silicone lids on the Food Box make the perfect zero waste travel swap, whether you’re going out of town or to the office.
We preferred the vacuum-tight seal and double-wall insulation of the TKCanister for hot meals, as it keeps hot food hot almost all day.
My Personal Review of Caraway’s Ceramic Food Storage Set:
“I’ve been using Caraway’s containers for two years now, and I’m impressed with the Air Release Technology, which keeps leftovers fresh and our fridge odor-free. It also keeps food better for longer, reducing food waste, and the stackable design helps keep the fridge neatly organized. I’ve tested them in the freezer, dishwasher, and microwave, and they are excellent in each. (We do heed Caraway’s guidance not to put the Dot and Dash containers in the microwave).”
My Personal Review of Klean Kanteen’s Stainless Steel Food Storage:
“The Food Box is incredibly lightweight, making it perfect for taking out and about. I always bring it along when dining out, so I can sustainably store any leftovers. The larger models come with removable dividers, which are great for keeping different foods separate.
For hot lunches on the go, the insulated TKCanister is my go-to choice, especially when I can’t heat my food, like during road trips or climbing adventures. Its vacuum-sealed, double-wall design keeps my meals hot for hours. I find the 32oz size just right for sharing, making it an excellent companion for picnics.”
Reviews by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Paper Towel Alternatives
We’re keeping the kitchen zero waste swaps coming—it is the number one source of household waste, after all—and what’s more ubiquitous in the kitchen than paper towels?
More than 13 billion pounds of paper towels are used each year in the United States alone. Not only do paper napkins and towels contribute to deforestation, they use thousands of gallons of water and end up in landfills.
Paper towel alternatives are easy sustainable swaps anyone can make.
Ecologie by Danica’s reusable Swedish paper towel alternatives will Swede up your cleaning process using a 70% cellulose and 30% cotton blend that’s designed to absorb 15 times its weight in liquid.
We can’t confirm the exact weight the Swedish Sponge Towels can hold, but we can definitely say they hold a lot. We recommend dampening the cute designs before use, which we found helps them absorb more spillage.
Another product we adore is the 100% cotton flannel Unpaper Towels from Marley’s Monsters.
After testing, we know the towels meet the hundreds of 5-star reviews. The high-quality fabric gets more absorbent over time, while the roll-up design makes them easy to store on a standard paper towel dispenser.
Laundry Detergent
One of our top zero waste swaps starts in the laundry room. Not only can zero waste laundry detergent save money, it can remove compounds like parabens, phosphates, and harmful dyes from your home.
Blueland is the embodiment of sustainability, and their Laundry Starter Set doesn’t miss either. All you have to do is place one or two of the dry-form tablets into a load, and boom—stains and dirt are gone.
The tablets don’t contain any parabens, phosphates, ammonia, VOCs, chlorine bleach, or phthalates. They’re also vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and shipped in compostable or recyclable packaging.
VOYA will help you ditch liquid soap completely with their Laundry Detergent Strips.
Biodegradable, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, plant-based ingredients, and zero phosphates, SLS, SLES, fragrances, and dyes—these are easily one of the best sustainable swaps for the home.
Unless you’re air drying, you’ll need a replacement for dryer sheets, like reusable dryer balls. Organic wool dryer balls replace fabric softeners and dryer sheets, reducing drying time by absorbing excess moisture.
My Personal Review of Blueland’s Laundry Tablets:
“Blueland’s laundry tablets are super easy to use, and I found that they worked just as well in cold water as in hot water, as long as the load wasn’t too big. For really dirty or stained clothes, I add some of their Oxi Laundry Booster.
The forever tins for storing the tablets in are super cute, and I especially love the compostable refill envelopes, which I compost at home. They take around three months to break down in the summer months.”
My Personal Review of VOYA’s Laundry Detergent Strips
“I tested VOYA’s laundry detergent sheets and found they worked well for an average load. I like the fact that they are unscented, as I’m not a fan of overpowering scents, and the clothes still come out smelling fresh.
For heavily soiled/stained items, they weren’t as effective. I needed to use double sheets and an extra wash cycle. They are also on the pricier side, with 32 sheets to a box, whereas other brands provide 60 for a similar price. However, they do work well for day-to-day laundry and are easy to store.”
Reviews by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Dish Soap
A few drops of dish soap might not seem like a big deal, but conventional options contain harmful chemicals that can kill aquatic ecosystems and lead to burns, skin irritation, and allergic reactions in humans.
That’s where zero waste kitchen swaps come in to clean the mess left behind by traditional liquid soap.
We’ve tried Blueland and can’t praise the Dishwasher Tablets enough. The fragrance-free tablets work overtime to clean your dishes without harmful ingredients, dyes, or plastic.
You won’t find any chlorine bleach, VOCs, parabens, phthalates, or petroleum in the product.
The eco-friendly dishwasher tablets are vegan, gluten-free, soy, and nut-free, and have certifications from EPA Safer Choice, Cradle to Cradle, Leaping Bunny, and MADE SAFE.
The best part?
The Certified B Corp doesn’t use any plastic packaging or PLA pods, and all orders are shipped in recyclable cardboard or compostable materials.
Suds & Co bar soap concentrate is another eco-friendly swap to consider. We love (as much as one can love doing dishes) using the palm oil free Refillable Organic Dish Soap made from coconut oil and natural essential oils.
We love that it’s shipped in compostable cardboard packaging with an optional reusable tin, but we love that it cuts through grease without drying out our skin even more.
My Personal Review of Blueland’s Dishwasher Tablets:
“Having tried nearly all their cleaning line-up, I’m super impressed with this brand’s products. The dishwasher tablets are no exception. I especially appreciate that they work well on shorter cycles, leaving everything spotless – no stuck on bits, greasy film, or concerning residue.
They’re currently the only PVA-free tablet on the market, and I love that refills come in compostable packaging.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Refillable Cleaning Products
Have you heard the news?
The refill revolution is taking over. Reusable swaps for the kitchen, bathroom, and home are one of the quickest ways to reduce waste.
Blueland offers countless refillable cleaning products, whether you’re on dish duty or need to zero in on the toilet. The Clean Suite Kit—with forever reusable pump and spray bottles—will eliminate harmful chemicals from the home with one purchase.
Simply fill up the Forever Bottle with warm water, pop in a tablet, and you’re ready for an environmentally green squeaky clean home.
But don’t forget to wash behind your ears! Plaine Product’s refillable body wash is anything but wasteful.
The vegan, cruelty-free, palm oil-free mixture is hypoallergenic and doesn’t contain any sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicone, or synthetic fragrances.
The Certified B Corp and Carbon Neutral brand uses aluminum bottles for their body wash refills and shampoo. Once the bottle is empty, it can be sent back for cleaning, sanitizing, and reuse.
My Personal Review of Plaine Products’ Body Wash:
“I personally use Plaine’s unique refill model for several of my bathroom essentials and love how easy it is—and, of course, how effective and clean the products are. The Rosemary, Mint, + Vanilla scent is truly invigorating, being the perfect blend of sharp and soothing, and the fast-foaming liquid requires only a little squirt to fully lather up since it’s not literally watered down with water and fillers.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Shampoo & Conditioner
Low waste swaps, like switching to a zero waste shampoo or conditioner, can reduce waste, save money, and get rid of nasty chemicals from your bathroom routine.
We absolutely adore the shampoo bar from Ethique. They have targeted options depending on your hair care concerns, like the Frizz Wrangler™ for dry, frizzy ‘dos.
Each bar is vegan, cruelty-free, and palm oil-free and can be safely wrapped in recycled paper or nothing at all. Ethique’s non-plastic packaging is also 100% compostable, so you don’t have to worry about more waste piling up.
But don’t forget to show your roots a bit of love with the conditioner bars from EcoRoots.
The Conditioner Bars are available in 11 unisex scents, like CoCoLime Colada, Lavender, and Moroccan Oil. EcoRoots doesn’t use any silicone, phthalates, or parabens, handcrafting each bar from coconut oil and cocoa butter instead.
Each bar is vegan and cruelty-free and shipped in plastic free packaging.
Deodorant
Zero waste lifestyle swaps don’t have to be overly complex.
In fact, a mere pit-tance of a swap like zero waste deodorant is a simple, stink-free way to start.
Not only will this remove hard-to-recycle composite plastic packaging, but it will get rid of harmful ingredients and additives.
Ethique wicks away sweat and the competition with their zero plastic deodorants, available in Rustic Citrus, Unscented, and Botanica Floral scents.
The New Zealand-based Certified B Corp uses compostable cardboard tubes with recipes that don’t contain animal products, palm oil, aluminum, or toxic compounds.
Instead, Ethique utilizes antibacterial magnesium hydroxide, anti-inflammatory zinc oxide, and various essential oils suited for all skin types.
Or beat the heat with Papr Cosmetics in six scents with notes ranging from lemongrass to sandalwood.
None of the vegan deodorant sticks contain parabens, silicone, sulfates, or aluminum. The packaging is fully recyclable and biodegradable, and for every tree Papr uses, they plant a new one in its place.
Dental Care
Traditional, disposable toothbrushes can create some of the most waste, with more than 1 billion being thrown away annually in the United States alone.
Zero waste alternatives, like the Bamboo Toothbrush from ZeroWasteStore.com, are a must-have for a sustainable bathroom.
The Climate Neutral brand offers one of the few fully biodegradable sustainable toothbrushes available, making it totally zero waste.
It’s made from sustainably sourced bamboo with plastic-free castor bean oil bristles. Zero Waste Store ships its catalog of zero waste products in plastic-free, compostable packaging.
Take a bite out of the plastic problem even further with etee’s Chewpaste. The Chewpaste comes in a minty vanilla flavor, with or without fluoride.
Each glass jar contains a month’s supply for brushing twice a day. All you have to do is chew the sulfates, parabens, and harsh chemical-free paste and brush with a wet toothbrush.
The paste doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or animal testing, using ingredients like Canadian glacial clay and natural flavors instead.
My Personal Review of etee’s Chewpaste Toothpaste Tablets:
“etee’s toothpaste tablets are my go-to whenever I need to travel. Whilst I wasn’t a huge fan of the flavor to begin with, it quickly grew on me, and after a few days, I didn’t notice anything unusual. I now actually like that these are less harsh than your traditional mint toothpaste. They also foam up nicely and help keep my tooth sensitivity in check”.
My Personal Review of the ZWS Essentials Toothbrush:
“I love this ZWS Essentials bamboo toothbrush! It’s perfect for travel since it’s so light and easy to pack. Normally, I use an electric toothbrush, but it’s just too bulky to take with me, so this manual one is a great backup. The bristles are super soft, which is a relief because I’ve been told I’m a little too aggressive with brushing and need to be gentler on my enamel.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Razors
The humble zero waste razor is another item on our zero waste checklist. Because the colorful plastic-handled razor you see at the drugstore can take hundreds of years to break down.
ZWS Essentials solves this problem with its simple, classic, and effective unisex safety razor. It’s available with long or short handles, so you can perfect your shave. All razors come with ten blades, with replacements readily available.
Pair your new men’s or women’s reusable razor with handcrafted shaving cream also from ZeroWasteStore.com.
Suds & Co. offers a Zero Waste Soap Bar that not only comes in a convenient plastic-free and travel-ready tin, but is filled with nourishing ingredients like organic coconut oil, organic sunflower, and organic shea butter.
We tried it and found it not only provides a smooth shave, but leaves our skin feeling supple and hydrated.
Hand Soap
Swapping to eco-friendly hand soaps are easy zero waste swaps that will benefit your skin, wallet, and the environment.
Blueland’s will help you make the swap with one purchase. The plastic-free, plant-based dissolvable in water formula is tough on germs and gentle on the skin.
Paper packaged refill tablets are affordable and don’t contain any parabens, phosphates, ammonia, VOCs, chlorine bleach, or phthalates. Like other products, the hand soap is Cradle to Cradle, Leaping Bunny (cruelty-free), and EPA Safer Choice certified.
Or suds-up with Ethique’s hand wash concentrates. Instead of hard-to-pronounce chemicals, Ethique uses plant-derived surfactants and babassu oil to cut through grime and dirt.
Each package can make 350ml of hand soap and is cruelty-free, vegan, and palm oil-free.
Lotion
Another zero waste swap for beginners is to simply change something you already use daily to a no-waste alternative, like zero waste lotion or lotion bars. Changing something you already use can help you produce less waste without making major adjustments to your lifestyle.
EcoRoots’ Lotion Bar makes the switch even easier.
One of the bars can replace up to three conventional plastic bottles from ending up in landfills. The lotion contains six plant-based ingredients, like shea butter for hydration and candelilla wax to seal in moisture. The Lotion Bar is travel-friendly, doesn’t contain any parabens, silicone, or phthalates, and is vegan and cruelty-free.
For a refillable option, consider Plaine Products again. The beauty brand specializes in all-natural, vegan, cruelty-free, and palm oil-free products, and the Body Lotion is no exception.
The formula contains hydrating and absorbent ingredients—like organic aloe, safflower oil, and rosehip oil—in a hypoallergenic formula perfect for babies or sensitive skin.
Once you run out, simply send the aluminum bottle back in the container it came in, and Plaine will clean, sanitize, and repurpose it free of charge.
My Personal Review of Plaine Products’ Body Lotion:
“Plaine Product’s Body Lotion is packed with organic aloe, safflower oil, and rosehip oil, making it super moisturizing. It has a light consistency, so you only need a little to cover a lot of skin. The best part? It absorbs super quickly, so you get soft skin without that gross, oily after-feel that I personally can’t stand.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Makeup
Cosmetics can be a hard category to make low or zero waste, but there are brands creating easy sustainable beauty swaps.
Dab Herb utilizes artisan craftsmanship with plant-based ingredients to protect the skin and environment. Dab’s zero waste makeup range consists of foundation, mascara, eyeshadows, lip balms, and more—all developed with certified organic, wild-crafted, and food-grade ingredients.
You can make the swap with complete sets, like the Transitional Detox Makeup Set, or start small with singles.
Another brand to reduce the number of products behind your cupboard is Axiology. They deal with plastic waste through products like Balmies and Multisticks or plastic-free 3-in-1 crayons suited for eyes, cheeks, and lips.
Collections like Cotton Candy Sky offer three vegan, cruelty-free, and palm oil-free crayons in light pink shades. The recyclable box doubles as a traveling case, and each stick is made from 10 all-natural ingredients, like sunflower seed oil and kokum seed butter.
My Personal Review of Dab Herb’s Herb Foundation:
“I don’t usually wear foundation. I’m lucky to have pretty good skin, so I’ve never really needed it. But I gave Dab Herb’s Herb Foundation a go, and I’m pleasantly surprised. It’s so lightweight that I barely notice it, and it blends seamlessly into my skin, giving me a natural, smooth look without that cakey feeling. Plus, it’s made with super nourishing, high-quality ingredients like unrefined jojoba and grapeseed oil.”
My Personal Review of Axiology’s Multi-Sticks & Balmies:
“In my (literal) tiny house, I’m all about multi-use products to save space, and Axiology’s Balmies & Multi-Sticks (AKA 3-in-1 makeup crayons) are a total win. I can use these on my lips, eyes, or cheeks. They blend in so smoothly for a subtle tint, but since my cheeks are naturally pretty red, I rarely need blush. They feel amazing, and the Multi-Sticks, in particular, feel really moisturizing on my lips. Both come in an impressive selection of colors.”
Reviews by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Sunscreen
Zero waste sunscreen is a must-have for skin and health care—making this one of the most important zero waste essentials.
Roughly 4,000–6,000 tons of traditional sunscreen ends up in oceans annually, negatively impacting coral reefs, marine life, and other sensitive ecosystems.
FORAH’s blend of reef-safe, certified organic, cruelty-free, and non-GMO products helps end the issue.
You can select from small tubes of sunscreen or tin pots. FORAH uses aluminum packaging, meaning it’s recyclable in most regions.
Try ATTITUDE’s Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Stick for a lightweight, grease-free sunscreen. It’s formulated from coconut, sunflower, castor seed oils, and shea butter for replenishing moisture.
All ATTITUDE’s biodegradable sunscreens are unscented and SPF 30. The hypoallergenic products don’t include parabens, endocrine disruptors, PEGs, oxybenzone, or other reef bleaching compounds, either.
My Personal Review of FORAH’s Sunscreen:
“I’m really impressed with how well FORAH’s mineral-tinted sunscreen works and the ingredient list is super simple. I took it out for a spin during a marathon volleyball session in hot sunshine, and it didn’t budge, even with all that sweat. Just a quick reminder to reapply, though – no sunscreen sticks around forever, even the good all-natural ones.
If the tinted stuff isn’t your jam, check out their Everyday Mineral Sunscreen. It’s loaded with a bunch of organic ingredients that are safe for daily use. I find it much easier to slather on and love the bright yellow aluminum tube. Plus, it has a lovely scent from organic sweet almond oil”.
My Personal Review of ATTITUDE’s Sunly Biodegradable Sunscreen Sticks:
“I’ve got sensitive skin, so finding a non-irritating sunscreen is essential. ATTITUDE’s Sunly sunscreen sticks are made with gentle ingredients, including shea butter, coconut oil, and non-nano zinc oxide. I also love that it doesn’t leave a white cast or oily feeling, which is huge for me because I can’t stand greasy products. It goes on smoothly, provides good coverage, and actually does its job. I’m pretty fair, so I reapply every couple of hours, and it keeps me protected.”
Reviews by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Very very good Project …. Keep it up.