10 Zero Waste Swaps to Get Started
Here are the 10 Zero Waste Swaps I started with—and I think you should, too.
The easiest way to going zero waste is to start small and swap out your common household items for more sustainable options. That doesn’t mean toss everything you own and go buy anything made of bamboo or steel. This is all about reducing waste, remember? Use up what you have and when you’re ready to replace it then come back to this list. These swaps are for everyone because, let’s face it, spending $10 on silk floss is pointless if it ends up in a landfill, and not everyone has access to compost.
Keep in mind, many of these swaps come with an upfront cost, but they’re designed to last a long time, if not a lifetime. I’m linking a lot to Amazon—which might not seem very zero-waste of me—but let’s be real, it’s often the most convenient choice, and I want these options to be accessible for everyone. If you have local stores that carry these items, I’d definitely recommend buying from them to support local businesses!
You get to choose how far you want to take this zero waste thing. By no means do you need to start growing your own loofahs (unless you have the land—and if so, I’m jealous because I live in a New York City apartment, and I am waiting for the economy to crash so I can buy land).
Now, let’s take the trash out.
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1. Plastic Tupperware
Plastic tupperware just isn’t it—it leaches microplastics (gross), and spaghetti stained plastic? Ew.
Glass containers are the best choice in my book: they’re airtight, keep food fresh longer, and are microwave and oven-safe, though a bit heavy and pricey. Rubbermaid containers have been my favorite for years.
Metal containers look sleek as hell, are lightweight, and are a great option for storing cold foods. The con, they’re not microwave-friendly, which could be a problem for some.
Glass jars are another obvious zero-waste option. They’re perfect for storing ingredients, though less ideal for meals.
If you’re not ready to splurge, try the thrift store (or TJ Maxx) for budget-friendly options.
2. Zip-loc Bags
Zip-loc bags might be as popular as Stanley cups—and I get it, they’re convenient. But think about how much you’ll save by not tossing things (and money) straight into the trash!
I've tried several silicone bags, and while many are durable, they don’t seal or wash as easily as Stasher bags. Stasher bags stand out for their ease of use, although I'm not always a fan of their shape. It can take some trial and error to find the brand that best meets your needs.
At the end of the day glass containers will always be my favorite option, despite the weight.
You’ll notice beeswax wraps didn’t make the cut, unlike most zero waste lists out there. I don’t think they work that well—they’re fine for short-term use, but they don’t keep food fresh for long and can even develop mold.
3. Single-Use Bottles or Cups
This one’s pretty obvious, but a bit trickier since 2020. Before the pandemic, most coffee shops let people bring their own mugs, but that changed—and honestly, I’m not sure where things stand now, since I don’t drink coffee. So I recommend testing the waters with your local barista and see if you get rejected. And here’s the part no one wants to hear… you could always just make your coffee or tea at home and bring it with you.
I bought a version of this tea steeper bottle at a local fair back in 2017, and it’s still one of my best purchases.
And of course, when it comes to single-use water bottles, let’s all just stick to our reusables.
4. Plastic Bags
Do I really need to explain this one? Plenty of cities now charge 10-20 cents per bag. If you’re buying three bags of groceries each week, that’s $15-$26 a year—basically a small fortune at Taco Bell.
Sure, it sounds minor, but those small choices add up. By bringing your own bags, you’re not only saving cash but also reducing single-use waste. It’s a small, easy way to make a positive impact—plus you can always use a bag as a way to express yourself.
5. Sponges
Sponges get gross way too quickly. Google says you’re supposed to replace them every week—be for real, no one’s doing that. Think about how much money you waste on sponges over a lifetime. It’s practically a sponge fund.
Wooden dish cleaning sets are your best bet for durability—they’ll last the longest and actually scrub like they mean it. Some of these brushes are a game-changer—perfect for getting into those hard-to-reach spots
Loofahs are good if you don’t need to go to war with your dishes. I soak mine in hydrogen peroxide once a week and then boil it for 10 minutes to keep the bacteria at bay.
6. Paper Towels
Paper towels are one of those mindless go-tos, but they add up fast—both in waste and cost. Each sheet is basically tossing money in the trash. That said, I’ll be honest: every time my cat decides to throw up on the bed, I’m grabbing the flushable option. No way am I letting vomit swirl around with my laundry.
Microfiber cloths are really good for cleaning any glass surfaces, while I find bar cloths to be good for cleaning countertops. Or, if you’ve got an old towel lying around, why not cut it up and put it back in the game? After all, every retired towel deserves a comeback tour.
No matter what, just be prepared to do more laundry. If you care about aesthetic, I recommend buying options that are darker in color so you don’t have to witness how quickly they get stained and realize just how dirty your place is.
7. Toothpaste
Isn’t it wild that something everyone uses daily still mostly comes in non-recyclable packaging? Around 20 billion toothpaste tubes end up in landfills every year. Below are some tubeless options I’ve tried—and survived.
Homemade toothpaste—I used it for years and never got a single cavity. Mix up 3 tbsp coconut oil, 1.5 tbsp baking soda, and 30 drops of food-grade essential oil (I like spearmint). The catch? It melts when warm, so keep it cool, and skip packing it for a trip unless you want minty oil everywhere.
Toothpaste tabs are a great option, especially for traveling. There are a ton of brands out there, but the ones I’ve tried are Bite and Lush.
I recently made the switch to toothpaste powder and am really liking the results so far, but stay tuned on what my dentist has to say in 6 months.
8. All-Purpose Cleaner
I can’t remember the last time I bought all-purpose cleaner—but I do remember when my boyfriend bought it after moving to our new place before me and then complaining about the chemical smell.
Vinegar cleaner is probably the easiest, cheapest option out there. Mix 1 part warm water, 1 part distilled white vinegar, add a little bit of dish soap and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. However, don’t expect the essential oil to do much against the vinegar smell, keep your expectations in reality.
For a cleaner that won’t make your place smell like a salad, try castile soap. Mix 1 cup of warm water with a tablespoon of castile soap (Dr. Bronners is everyones favorite for a reason).
9. Razors
Between razors, replacement blades, and shaving cream, the annual cost of shaving runs about $200. But in 2017, I was gifted a safety razor and 50 blades (shoutout to my ex). Seven years later, the razor and I are still going strong—unlike the ex—and I’ve spent exactly $0 on shaving since. That's a solid $200 less than... $200.
Because I am biased, I’m recommending the brand I was gifted, Viking safety razors—for both cost savings and less waste. Just remember to dispose of used blades safely: wrap them in tape or paper, or pop them in a sharps container for the trash or a drop-off site.
10. Shampoo
I’m not saying you should stop washing your hair (for everyone’s sake, please keep doing that), but buying shampoo in plastic? Totally optional.
Shampoo bars are the trendy zero-waste go-to, and they’re great—if you find one that doesn’t make your hair feel like straw. This may take some trial and error, so practice patience. I have fine hair, and after trying what feels like a hundred bars, the only one that actually works for me is Lush’s “New” bar.
If bars just aren’t your thing, more brands now offer shampoo in refillable or recyclable packaging, like Plaine Products. They’ve even expanded to cover all bathroom basics: body wash, conditioner, lotion, you name it. Plaine is basically the “sustainable sampler platter.”
There are SO many more swaps out there—lotion, body wash, food, tampons, even burial—but if you’re trying to overhaul your entire life in one weekend, you’ll probably burn out faster than that new shampoo bar melts in your shower. So, start with these 10. They’re simple, effective, and won’t have you questioning your existence by week two.
Once you’ve got these under your belt, feel free to dive deeper, but let’s pace ourselves, alright? Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a fully zero-waste bathroom.
