10 Zero Waste Product Swaps You Can Make Today

Making some easy zero waste product swaps is a great place to start when aiming for a zero waste life. Here are 10 products swaps you can make to start changing your habits.

1. Shopping bags

It takes between 10 - 1000 years for plastic bags to decompose. Switch from plastic bags to reusable, long-lasting shopping bags. Obviously, if you have supermarket ‘bags for life’ then you should definitely continue to use these too, but the long-term solution is to avoid buying ‘bags for life’ and instead opt for fabric or tote bags. 

2. Water bottle

Don’t buy plastic, single-use water bottles, instead buy a durable, reusable water bottle. According to Beyond Plastics, one million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute and less than a third of all plastic bottles will be recycled. So by switching to a reusable water bottle, you can help to prevent an average of 156 plastic bottles annually.

3. Coffee cup

The same principle goes for using a reusable coffee cup. By planning ahead and taking a reusable cup with you while you’re at work or on the move you can also take advantage of discounts that most major coffee shops (and independent shops) now give to customers with reusable cups. 

4. Straws

Luckily, plastic straws are on their way out. Restaurants and bars now usually provide paper straws and if you’re looking for an alternative these flexible silicone straws are really useful too. They fold up so can be kept in a pocket or squashed into a handbag, so they take up no room at all and are easy for life on the go, for busy parents and families.

5. Beeswax wraps

Beeswax wraps are a fantastic alternative to clingfilm. These self-sealing wraps keep your food fresh for longer by moulding the wraps over, under, or around whatever you need to cover, simply by the heat of your hands. They are reusable for up to a year, which can be extended by refreshing using a rewax bar. They are also really durable so they do a great job of covering your food without the risk of tearing. 

6. Storage Jars

Glass jars are a great kitchen storage solution. Rather than relying on plastic containers or packaging, switch to glass jars which can be used to stock cereals, flour, beans, lentils and much more. These Kossi storage jars are stylish and functional, using a recycled glass jar with a solid wooden lid made from sustainable mango and a convenient glass loop to hold the matching wooden spoon, they’re perfect for storing and scooping out your produce.

7. Stainless steal lunchbox

Stainless steel lunch boxes are environmentally friendly as they are non-toxic and can be recycled, unlike their plastic counterparts! They’re also much more durable and long-lasting than plastic lunchboxes. This Elephant stainless steal lunch box can be used in the fridge or freezer and are oven-safe up to a temperature of 240°C. If you need any more reasons why stainless steal is better than plastic, it will not stain or carry odours either, unlike those pesky plastic ones.

8. Bamboo dish scourer

There’s no need for synthetic dish sponges anymore. Usually made from plastics such as polyester or polyurethan, there are now much better alternatives available. For example, this bamboo dish scourer is made from bamboo towelling, and finished with organic cotton hessian on the bottom, and organic cotton on the top. The best part is that they are completely biodegradable.

9. Soap and shampoo bars

Switching to soap and shampoo bars will dramatically reduce your plastic waste. Soap bars such as this FRoG soap bar are 100% plastic free and completely natural. They contain zero palm oil, SLS, SLES, parabens, artificial preservatives or fragrances and are vegan-friendly. 

Similarly, Shampoo bars are agreat alternative to plastic shampoo bottles. Both the packaging and the soap is eco-friendly and biodegradable.

10. Menstrual cups and other period products

Menstral cups have grown in popularity as they are sustainable and better for your wallet over time. A menstrual cup, such as the Ruby Cup, can be easily inserted and used for up to 12 hours, depending on your flow. They are also safe to wear at night, are reusable and are completely recyclable too.

There’s also a great range of other period products available now such as period pants, reusable pads, organic tampons and more. Read our blog post on How To Have A More Eco-Friendly Period to find out more.

Conclusion

There’s no better time to start making these zero waste product swaps to enable you to live a more eco-friendly life today. These small changes will make a big difference to your life and your impact on the planet.