Alternatives

Modern cloth diapers are easy to use with snaps and adjustable sizing. A full set of 20-24 cloth diapers costs about $200-400 and lasts through potty training (and can be reused for subsequent children). The average family spends $2,000-3,000 on disposable diapers per child.

Steam and puree fruits and vegetables at home using a regular blender or food processor. Make batches and freeze in ice cube trays. Costs virtually nothing extra beyond groceries you're already buying, and you control exactly what goes in.

Replace disposable baby wipes with soft reusable cloth wipes dampened with water or a gentle DIY solution. A set of 20-24 cloth wipes costs about $15 and lasts through multiple children. The average family spends $300-500/year on disposable wipes.

Skip bottled water entirely and drink filtered tap water at home. A simple faucet filter costs about $20 and lasts months. Note: Check your local water quality report first — some areas may need additional filtration.

Try using reusable k-cups or convert to a french press – no filter needed!

Buy secondhand toys from thrift stores, garage sales, or online marketplaces instead of new plastic toys. When buying new, choose wooden or natural material toys that last longer and are biodegradable. Toy libraries and swaps are also great zero-waste options.

Replace paper towels with washable cloth towels or "unpaper towels." Keep a basket of them near the kitchen and toss in the laundry after use. The average American household spends $180+ per year on paper towels.

A medical-grade silicone menstrual cup lasts up to 10 years and replaces thousands of disposable pads or tampons. The average menstruating person spends about $120/year on disposable products.

Try DIY shampoo options made from baking soda/clay. You can find shampoo bars at zero waste shops and places like Lush. For short hair, no poo is a great option! Storage: A bar left in standing water will dissolve and degrade, potentially losing 30% of its lifespan. Always use a draining soap dish. Lathering Technique: Lathering the bar in your hands first, rather than rubbing it directly onto your head, can make it last twice as long. Travel: Bars are TSA-compliant and won't leak, saving you from buying expensive "travel-sized" liquid bottles.

A bidet attachment installs on your existing toilet and dramatically reduces toilet paper use — by up to 80%. The average American uses about 100 rolls per year ($60-120/yr). A bidet attachment pays for itself within months.

A stainless steel safety razor lasts a lifetime. Replacement blades cost about $0.10 each vs $2-4 for disposable cartridges. The average American spends $50-75/year on disposable razors.

Replace disposable wet wipes (which contain plastic and don't break down) with reusable cloth wipes. Dampen with water or a DIY solution of water, aloe vera, and a drop of soap. A set of 10-12 costs about $12 and lasts for years.

Replace disposable tissues with reusable cloth handkerchiefs. A set of 10-12 cotton handkerchiefs costs about $10-15 and lasts for years. Just toss them in the laundry. The average American uses 2-3 boxes of tissues per month.

Use cornstarch or arrowroot powder (add cocoa powder for dark hair) as a zero-waste dry shampoo. Apply with a makeup brush. A $3 box of cornstarch lasts over a year.

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a reusable spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil for scent. Works great on countertops, glass, and most surfaces. A gallon of vinegar costs about $3 and makes dozens of bottles of cleaner.

Switch to rechargeable batteries (NiMH like Eneloop). A set of 4 AA rechargeable batteries with a charger costs about $20 and replaces hundreds of disposable batteries over their lifetime. The average American household uses about 47 batteries per year.

Replace single-use plastic balloons, streamers, and banners with reusable fabric bunting, paper honeycomb decorations, and dried flower arrangements. Fabric bunting costs about $15 and can be reused for years across many parties.

Cut old t-shirts, towels, or sheets into cleaning rags instead of buying disposable wipes or paper towels. Cotton t-shirt rags are great for cleaning — they're absorbent, lint-free, and completely free.

Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser. It naturally softens clothes, reduces static, and removes odors — without chemicals or plastic jugs.

Make face masks at home with ingredients like honey, oatmeal, yogurt, or mashed avocado. A honey and oatmeal mask costs pennies per use and creates zero packaging waste.

Replace plastic Brita-style pitchers with a stainless steel gravity filter (like Berkey) or a ceramic filter. They last for years, filter more contaminants, and eliminate the need for disposable plastic filter cartridges. About $60-80 upfront but lasts 5+ years.

Use traditional Japanese furoshiki cloth to wrap gifts beautifully. A set of reusable fabric wraps costs about $15 and replaces rolls of wrapping paper for years. Machine washable and endlessly versatile.

Switch to a refillable deodorant or a deodorant bar in compostable packaging. The average American goes through 4-5 deodorant sticks per year at $5-8 each. Refillable options cost about the same per use but eliminate plastic waste.

Mix sugar or used coffee grounds with coconut oil for an effective facial scrub. Costs almost nothing and eliminates plastic microbeads and packaging waste.

Use a thermos for hot drinks or a mason jar for cold drinks when buying a cup of coffee instead of using the disposable, single-use cups most cafes provide. Some places will even give you a discount! Savings are based on getting 1 coffee 50c off a week.

Chewable mouthwash tablets come in glass jars or compostable packaging. Just chew, sip water, and swish. Brands like Bite and Georganics offer plastic-free options. About $10 for 60 tablets.

Cover bowls with a plate, use a pot lid, or store food in containers with lids you already own. No wrapping needed.

A solid face wash bar lasts 2-3x longer than a bottle of liquid face wash, comes in zero or minimal packaging, and costs less per wash. One bar replaces about 2-3 plastic bottles.

Wool dryer balls replace disposable dryer sheets and last for over 1,000 loads. They reduce drying time by 25%, soften clothes naturally, and reduce static. A set of 6 costs about $10 and lasts 2-3 years.

A set of sturdy reusable grocery bags replaces hundreds of plastic bags per year. Many stores offer $0.05-$0.10 discounts per bag, adding up to $10-25/year in savings.

Replace liquid hand soap in plastic pump bottles with a package-free bar soap. Bar soap lasts longer, costs less per wash, and creates zero plastic waste. A $4-5 bar lasts about 6 weeks.

Use glass or stainless steel containers you already own to store food instead of disposable bags.

Swap disposable plastic containers and bags for glass or stainless steel food storage containers. They last for decades, are microwave and dishwasher safe (glass), and don't leach chemicals into food.

Replace single-use hotel toiletries and mini plastic bottles with a travel kit of solid shampoo, conditioner, and soap bars stored in a reusable tin. They last longer, are TSA-friendly, and create zero liquid waste. A basic solid travel set costs about $20.

A simple bar of soap replaces multiple bottles of body wash. The average American uses 3-4 bottles of body wash per year (~$24). A bar of soap costs $3-5 and lasts just as long as a bottle.

Make your own apple cider vinegar with fruit scraps.

Vinegar + Citrus

A solid conditioner bar lasts 2-3x longer than a bottle, comes in minimal packaging, and works just as well. One bar replaces about 2-3 plastic bottles per year.

A package-free shaving soap bar lasts 3-6 months and creates a rich lather with a shaving brush. Costs about $8-12 per bar and eliminates aerosol cans and plastic packaging.

A reusable tea infuser with loose leaf tea gives you better flavor and avoids microplastics released by many teabags. Loose leaf tea also costs less per cup — about $0.05 vs $0.10 for bagged.

Replace plastic sponges with a natural sea sponge or a compostable cellulose sponge. Natural sponges last longer, are antimicrobial, and are fully biodegradable. About $5-8 each and they last 2-3 months.

Instead of single-use cupcake liners, use silicone liners to hold your desserts.

For many recipes, simply greasing the pan with butter or oil works just as well as parchment paper.

Switch to lip balm that comes in a cardboard tube or metal tin instead of plastic. Brands like Meow Meow Tweet and Ethique offer plastic-free options that work just as well.

Replace disposable plastic scrub pads with a stainless steel chain mail scrubber or a coconut coir brush. Stainless steel scrubbers last virtually forever and are dishwasher safe. Coconut coir brushes are biodegradable. About $8-12 each.

Replace disposable plastic pens with a refillable fountain pen. A basic fountain pen costs $10-20 and uses bottled ink (a $10 bottle lasts a year or more). Americans throw away 1.6 billion disposable pens every year.

Switch to a stainless steel or silicone reusable straw set. Most sets come with a cleaning brush and carrying case.

A reusable silicone-tipped ear cleaner replaces thousands of disposable cotton swabs. Just wash after each use. The average American uses about 400 Q-tips per year.

Refillable dental floss in a glass or stainless steel dispenser uses natural silk or bamboo fiber. Refill spools cost about the same as conventional floss. The average American uses 2-3 containers per year.

Buy a reusable glass or stainless steel growler and fill it at your local brewery or taproom. A 64oz growler costs about $15-25 and can be refilled indefinitely. You save on packaging waste and often get fresher, cheaper beer.

Buy seeds and grains in bulk when you make a grocery shopping trip. The nifty thing is, you won’t have to stray far from where your groceries are!

Check out this homemade chicken-and-potato zero waste cat food recipe or find a pet store that sells cat food in bulk.

Hit the thrift store. It saves money and is better for the environment!

The easy solution is to wear glasses! However, if you are committed to contacts, purchase contacts with the longest possible time before disposal is needed, such as monthly or two week lenses.

As of now, there doesn’t seem to be an effective zero waste alternative for contact solution, so try to buy more sustainable saline solutions like Clear Conscience.

Make your own sustainable raw dog food or find a pet store that sells dog food in bulk.

By second-hand furniture.

Take your own containers to the butcher and fishmonger for bones, fish, and other meaty treats. To store bones or meat in bulk, first separate and freeze them on a tray, then put them into a container in the freezer until needed.

Instead of buying physical gifts with packaging and wrapping, give experiences: concert tickets, cooking classes, museum memberships, spa days, or restaurant gift cards. Zero waste, zero clutter, and usually more memorable.

Make homemade muesli bars, a hardy and healthy snack!

Talk to your greengrocer or stalls at the farmers market and ask/negotiate for outer lettuce leaves, blemished and imperfect vegetables, etc.

Make homemade hair rinse with tea, beer, coffee, apple cider vinegar, or vodka!

Replace plastic hairbrushes with a bamboo or wooden hairbrush with natural bristles. They last just as long, are biodegradable at end of life, and are gentler on hair. Costs around $12-15.

Instead of using a store-bought laundry whitening product, throw a pair of jeans or another blue garment in with your whites.

Replace plastic mesh loofahs with a natural loofah gourd sponge. They are fully biodegradable and naturally exfoliating. They cost more than plastic loofahs.

Make homemade oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, or soy milk!

Most produce doesn't need a bag at all. Just place items directly in your cart and wash at home.

Choose mineral sunscreen that comes in a recyclable metal tin instead of a plastic tube. Brands like Butterbean Organics and Raw Elements offer reef-safe, zero-waste options. About $15-20 per tin.

Replace plastic tape (like Scotch tape or packing tape) with paper-based alternatives. Water-activated paper packing tape is strong, recyclable, and compostable. Washi tape works for gift wrapping and crafts. About $8-10 per roll.

Replace plastic toilet brushes with a wooden-handled brush with natural bristles and a replaceable head. The handle lasts for years and only the brush head needs replacing. About $15-20 for the initial brush.

Replace your plastic toothbrush with a bamboo one. The handle is biodegradable and compostable. Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every 3 months — that's 4 plastic toothbrushes per year you can eliminate. About $3-5 each.

Make It YourselfIngredients:Baking Soda: Acts as a mild abrasive and helps neutralize acids. Coconut Oil: Provides a smooth, creamy texture and has antibacterial properties. Essential Oils: Add flavor and potentially other benefits (e.g., peppermint for freshness, clove oil for antibacterial properties). Water: Used to adjust the consistency of the paste. Optional Ingredients:Sea Salt: Can help remineralize teeth, but adjust the amount if the taste is too salty. Xylitol: A natural sweetener that can help reduce cavity-causing bacteria. Turmeric: A natural ingredient that can help with whitening. Bentonite Clay: A natural ingredient that can help with tooth cleaning and detoxifying. Instructions:Mix the dry ingredients: Combine the baking soda, salt (if using), and any other dry ingredients in a jar. Add coconut oil: Add the coconut oil and mix until it's fully incorporated. Add water: Gradually add water, a few drops at a time, until you reach the desired paste consistency. Add essential oils: Add the essential oils and mix thoroughly. Store and use: Store your homemade toothpaste in a sterilized glass jar and use as you would regular toothpaste. Important Considerations:Fluoride: Homemade toothpaste generally lacks fluoride, which is a crucial ingredient for preventing cavities.Abrasiveness: Baking soda can be slightly abrasive, so consider using it in moderation, especially if you have sensitive teeth. Get It Plastic Freebitetoothpastebits.com sells plastic free toothpaste, or check your local zero waste shop if you have one!

Mix 1 cup of borax, 1 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of salt. Add 1 tablespoon of the mixture in the “soap/tablet” compartment of the dishwasher. Then, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to the “rinse agent” compartment before starting the cycle.

Make your own natural yogurt or kefir (easier to make) at home.