As the new year begins, it’s time to think about what small changes we can make in our daily routine to live each day more sustainably. One simple solution is to switch a handful of your single use plastic home items to reusable options. Not only can these swaps be less wasteful, but they are more cost effective and reduce the use of harmful chemicals around the home. The total generation of municipal solid waste in the U.S. in just one year was 292.4 million tons (4.9 pounds per person per day)¹.

Growing up, our home slowly became “zero-waste” with most, if not all, disposable products being replaced by reusable counterparts. By making a few swaps at a time, my family was able to save thousands of dollars, minimize our exposure to microplastics, and reduce the amount of waste our household produced. Of course, these changes cannot be made all at once, with the most sustainable options being the products you already own. Once those run out, then make the swap.

Kitchen Swaps

The kitchen is one of the largest waste producing areas of the home, especially when it comes to single-use plastics. Luckily, there are reusable alternatives that are better for the environment and your wallet.

• Dish brushes: Next time you’re in need of a sponge or dish scrubber, look for a bamboo dish scrubber. These brushes are firm, but gentle on dishes, last up to two years and are 100% compostable. Making this switch also keeps microplastics from going down your drain and entering the water supply.
• Stainless steel straws: These are an eco-friendly, durable, and safe alternative to plastic. Stainless steel straws are nonporous, making them hygienic and easy to clean.
• Silicone bags: Silicone bags are an alternative to single-use baggies, often used for snacks or found in packed lunches. Not only can these bags be used repeatedly, but they are more versatile than traditional plastic baggies and can sometimes be used in the freezer, oven, or even the microwave. This is a perfect way to be sustainable even on the go.
• Beeswax wraps: These reusable food covers are a great replacement for single use plastic cling film for storing food. Beeswax wraps can cover containers or go directly around produce to keep it fresh longer.
• Swedish dishcloths: Swedish dishcloths are made from cellulose and cotton to make them natural, biodegradable, compostable, and reusable. As a young adult, this has been one of my favorite swaps to save money. Each one replaces over 17 rolls of paper towels. They can be washed in the washing machine or dishwasher and used over again, saving time, energy, and money.

Laundry Swaps

• Wool dryer balls: Instead of one-time dryer sheets, wool balls are reusable and can be scented with a few drops of your favorite essential oils to give your laundry that fresh smell naturally. They also work to increase airflow in your dryer, which decreases drying time and will save you money on your energy bill.
• Powdered detergent: Regular laundry detergent is often packaged in large single-use plastic

  

  containers. Not only is this plastic harmful to the environment, but the container is very heavy, causing large amounts of carbon emissions to be produced in shipping before it even gets to your house. Powdered detergent typically comes in smaller and lighter carboard packaging, making it more sustainable and space efficient. Look for a plant-based or biodegradable option without phosphates, optical brighteners, or chlorine bleach to be easier on waterways, aquatic life, and human health.

Bathroom Swaps

• Shampoo and conditioner bars: Similarly to traditional liquid detergent, plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles create a surplus of unnecessary waste. These products are also produced in a bar soap form that provides the same quality as traditional liquid soaps, while taking up less space, lasting longer, and creating less waste.

  

  Typically, bar soaps also come in recyclable cardboard packaging to further reduce plastic waste.

• Bamboo toothbrush: Similarly to the bamboo hairbrush, a bamboo toothbrush provides all the benefits of a traditional plastic toothbrush without compromising on durability and quality. Bamboo toothbrushes are made of natural fibers that don’t pose a risk for microplastics to accidentally go down the drain.
• Bamboo hairbrush: Bamboo is a great alternative to a traditional plastic hairbrush, due to its durability, while still providing flexibility. Bamboo grows incredibly fast, can regenerate without replanting, has low water and fertilizer needs, and provides significant carbon absorption. This option is durable, reusable, and compostable.
• Reusable floss pick: One of the most overlooked single-use plastics in our daily routine are floss picks. Did you know there are reusable alternatives? By switching to a reusable floss pick, not only are you saving plastic from the landfill each day but you’re also saving money. I have saved more than $100 and nearly 2,000 floss picks from the landfill since I started using a reusable floss pick.

By switching to reusable and plastic-free alternatives around the home, you can hit your sustainability and budgeting goals this new year!

Sources

1. https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials

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