Ready to make the switch from plastic? Here’s a list of common single use plastic items that you’ll find in most homes, and a TON of links to plastic-free swaps you can make.
Some are DIY swaps. Others are links will take you to the websites of companies that are dedicated to less plastic waste and use sustainable packaging (hurray!).
Other links go to Amazon, so while the products are great, the shipping/packaging might not always be the most eco-friendly.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my disclosure policy for more information.
Click below on any item in blue to display its plastic free product swaps.
KITCHEN SWAPS
Trash bags are one of the toughest single-use plastics to tackle, because most of us need them (particularly in the kitchen), and most residential trash collection programs require them.
My most important advice: FILL THE BAG UP! Whether you’re using a bag made of recycled plastic, one of plant-based material, or one that is compostable, don’t toss bags that are only half-way filled. Make room and stuff them full!
Avoid throwing your stinkiest trash and food scraps in a kitchen trash bag that isn’t near full; that way you can keep the bag longer and make the most of it.
Recycled Kitchen Bags – these are good for a household just learning to switch from plastic. At the very least, you’re using a bag that is giving other plastics a “second life”.
Evolution brand trash bags are made from 70% recycled plastic & you get 120 bags/liners for 20 bucks.
Seventh Generation bags are made from 65% recycled plastic
Even Hefty makes a bag from recycled plastics!
You can also be on the lookout for bags that say they are made from plants (“bio-based”) instead of fossil fuels, or compostable bags. But don’t be fooled: these are still plastic bags and no plastic is completely biodegradable!
Ziplock and other brand zipper bags are not accepted by most curbside/residential recycling programs, so most people just throw them away. Switch to these reusable options instead:
DIY Budget Option: Save your glass jars and plastic take out containers and reuse them! They don’t have to all match one another, or be beautiful (it’s actually liberating to have a bunch of mis-matched containers when you know it’s for a good cause!)
Silicone Sealer Bag (click to see the cool GIF of how these bags works)
Large Freezer Storage Bag (great for freezer meals!)
Reusable Bulk Bin Bags (for nuts, rice, etc)
Stainless Steel Snack Container (pack for school or work)
This is one of the most simple plastics to eliminate, because the alternatives are reusable and save you money in the long run! (The silicon bowl covers are my fave – I have three and they fit just about every bowl size I have!)
Refusing plastic straws while you’re out and about (at a nice dine-in restaurant or a fast food joint) is an important habit to develop. Mention that you don’t need a straw when you order the drink. (And remember, even paper straws are wasteful).
I do carry my own silicone straw for when I’m not at home. I like these ones from Final Straw:
I’ve seen silicone and stainless steel straws for sale at my local grocery store, so they’re getting easier to find!
Just use the real thing! No one likes to do dishes, but disposable utensils, cups, and plates can’t be recycled in 99% of cases! Buy real metal utensils, and be sure to REQUEST that food delivery and take out staff DO NOT include plastic utensils with your order!
For on-the-go/dine-in at fast food restaurants, carry a set of real utensils in your bag/backpack. You can also keep this reusable spork in your purse or backpack (it comes with a cute cotton storage bag).
A lot of restaurants are now using recycled or biodegradable plastic utensils, but in the end, it’s STILL plastic and it will EVENTUALLY end up in a landfill. #carrythesporkinstead
Convenience comes at a cost with coffee pods. Not only to your wallet, but to the planet! Switch to reusable coffee pods or filters:
Every time you run out of dish soap, another plastic bottle has to be recycled. Let’s cut down on the plastic to begin with with these swaps:
DIY/Budget Option: Look online for DIY household cleaner “recipes”. They teach you how to make cleaning liquids or scrubs with common ingredients that you can usually buy in bulk. This is often economical and many of the ingredients can be purchased without plastic packaging.
Concentrated Dish Soap Bulk Refill This concentrate comes in plastic, but it’s a large bottle and the concentrated formula lasts longer than standard single use plastic dish soap options.
Method Brand Dish Soap Refill This refill bag probably can’t be recycled in your curbside/residential recycling bin. Be sure to find a store drop off where you can recycle it.
All-Purpose/Countertop Cleaner Refill in Cardboard (this is the one I actually use now, and I LOVE it! I just pour it into a spray bottle that I keep reusing.)
You might not realize it, but most sponges or dish brushes are made from plastic that isn’t easily recyclable. When it’s time to replace sponges or brushes, swap to these options instead:
Most wet wipes contain plastic threads that help to hold together the other natural materials that make up the wipe. That plastic never breaks down.
Wipes also tend to come in plastic containers that are single-use.
Although they’re super convenient, try using cloth kitchen towels or smaller, reusable cloths (sometimes marketed as reusable baby cloths, but great for use in the kitchen!)
BATHROOM SWAPS
The most obvious choice for switching to plastic-free soap is to use bar soap that comes wrapped in paper. I’ve included a couple of my absolute faves.
Mrs. Meyers Daily Bar Soap (it’s cheap, works great & smells good!)
Kiss My Face Bar Soap (This bar is so big that I cut it into quarters just to use it! It lasts for forever!)
If you really must have liquid soap, try these refill options:
Three Birds Hand Soap Reusable Aluminum Bottles (their refill bags are recyclable)
Cleancult Hand Soap Refill in Cardboard Carton (I’ve used this and it’s great!)
DIY Liquid Body Wash (Basic recipe. With any DIY “recipe”, be sure to purchase ingredients in eco-friendly packaging. You can usually find these ingredients at local grocery, pharmacy, or health food stores).
Oh man…have you ever looked around in the floss aisle at the store? SO. MUCH. PLASTIC. Do your part to reduce the plastic waste in FlossLand.
Refillable Glass Floss Container (I use one just like this, but in stainless steel)
Individual Flossers Made from Cornstarch (these are the ones my husband uses)
TOOTHBRUSHES
You’ve probably seen the images of dead birds with stomachs full of plastic toothbrushes. Sadly, it’s possible that your toothbrush could end up being accidentally eaten by a wild animal (even if you live in a land-locked area).
If you must use a plastic toothbrush, know that it probably can’t be recycled; either because of the type of plastic it’s made from, or because it’s too small for the machinery at your local recycling facility.
Making the switch to a plastic-free bamboo toothbrush is so much better for the environment and for wildlife.
IF YOU DO SWITCH TO A BAMBOO TOOTHBRUSH, you still need to take care when disposing of it. Bamboo itself is biodegradable, but the bristles used in these toothbrushes usually aren’t. Here’s a video to help you dispose of bamboo toothbrushes properly.
TOOTHPASTE
Beware of new claims by companies that your toothpaste tube is recyclable (this is good advice in general: don’t follow company claims, ask your local recycling company or Public Works!)
DIY Homemade Toothpaste: Check out this resource for how to make your own toothpaste at home. It’s the best I’ve found online.
Store-Bought Options:
A quick internet search will give you a lot of plastic-free toothpaste tablet options (like little pieces of gum, you chew them up and instantly make “toothpaste”. This is a super appealing option, but it’s also not economical.
I recommend toothpaste powder, instead. It’s cheaper and lasts a lot longer.
Simply Sooney tooth powder comes in a paper bag (you supply your own re-usable container) and lasts for months. It’s a great deal, and my husband and I both love the peppermint flavor. FYI: tooth powder is gritty, and doesn’t foam, which is different and takes a little getting used to, but does the job!
(They also have a flouride-free kid-safe version, and one for sensitive teeth.)
I’ll be the first to admit that switching to a plastic-free alternative for hair care is nerve-racking! I’m 100% vain about my hair, and I liked the products I was using before (in plastic bottles).
Also, plastic-free shampoo and conditioner bars are often double the price of most products that come in plastic bottles. Shopping around (both online and in-store), and reading reviews is your best bet! A lot of shampoo bar companies also offer sample sizes for you to test out.
DIY Shampoo & Conditioner: If you have non-colored, easy-to-manage hair, you might be spending too much on hair products to begin with! Here are some all-natural DIY shampoo recipes from Good Housekeeping.
To shop local: Find out if your area has a refill shop that sells shampoo & condition in bulk. You can bring your own containers to refill over and over again! If you really want to stick to your current brand, buy their largest sizes bottles (often called “salon sized” to refill your smaller bottles).
Shampoo & Conditioner Bars
My natural food store has a few shampoo bar options. Here are some others you can buy online:
A good budget option is this set of 2 shampoo bars for less than $10.
This one comes with its own recyclable box:
After shopping around and reading a lot of reviews, I got a sample of these shampoo & conditioner bars from Ethique, and eventually bought the full sized bars when the sample ran out.
Lotion bar (some come in metal tins, while others are awesomely wrapped in paper or cardboard).
DIY Lotion Bars This blog post has recipes for 14 different kinds!
Finding a lotion that comes in glass usually means spending a little more. But these also tend to be the products that have fewer toxins and don’t test on animals.
Dermae Products I’ve used Dermae for several years. While not all of their products come in glass jars, many do, and they work great!
Farm House Fresh products My local (ocean-friendly) salon carries this brand and the scents are TO DIE FOR. Most items come in metal tubes or glass jars.
YES, you can get sunblock in something other than a tube or aerosol can! (Queue the singing angels!)
Here are three to try:
Laguna Herbals Face and Body Sunscreen Tin
Raw Elements Baby + Kids SPF 30 Organic Sunscreen
SPF Lip Balm in Recyclable Paper Tube
Ya gotta keep the bathroom clean, but every time you run out of a cleaner, another plastic bottle has to be recycled. Let’s cut down on the plastic to begin with with these swaps:
All-Purpose/Countertop Cleaner Refill in Cardboard (this is the same all-purpose surface cleaner I use in the kitchen!)
Cleaners in Refillable Aluminum Bottles from Three Main
Invest in a Steam Cleaner! I had been wanting a steam cleaner for the longest time. Once I started switching from plastic, I realized that a steam cleaner would be so worth it because I would buying fewer cleaners in plastic bottles.
I finally bought myself this one last Christmas. I read a lot of reviews before deciding which one to buy, and I LOVE IT! It barely takes up any space in my hallway closet.
Sure, I still use spray cleaners on the bathroom sink and countertop at least once per week, but I also use the steamer because it’s actually that easy to assemble/use. It’s especially great for getting grime off of the bathtub and cleaning grout in the shower and on my tile floors (I live in Florida and my ENTIRE house is tile floors). The steamer is made from plastic, but will last SO much longer than all the plastic cleaning bottles I used once upon a time!
Most sponges and loofahs are made from plastic that isn’t easily recyclable. Swap to these options instead:
Hairbrushes have been made of plastic for about as long as I’ve been alive. Here’s a more sustainable hairbrush option instead:
Go into any regular chain store and try to find a deodorant that isn’t packaged in plastic. IT’S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE! Deodorant packaging is one of the most-used single-use plastics; there’s very little you can do to re-use those tubes, and they are made from plastic that’s not great for recycling.
The great news: there are tons of deodorants that come in biodegradable or recyclable containers.
The tricky part: these are usually natural deodorants that do not contain pore-blocking antiperspirant ingredients. So, if you’re used to using an antiperspirant (something that stops you from sweating), you’ll need to shop around a little to find products that have ingredients that will help keep you dry (but still won’t stop you from sweating…because sweat is natural, it’s gotta come out!)
Say it with me: “WE’RE DONE WITH DISPOSABLE PLASTIC RAZORS!”
And that includes razors with cartridges that are partly made from plastic.
*A metal razor is the best option I’ve found at this time. There are some companies making razors from recycled plastic, but the reviews for them aren’t great.
Feminine products are necessary, but it’s not necessary for them to be harmful to the planet.
There are actually a ton of eco-friendly alternatives that help eliminate plastic tampon applicators, tampon and pad wrappers, and backings to sticky pads and panty liners. PLUS – these reusable feminine products will save you SO MUCH MONEY over the months and years!
Silicone Menstrual Cups There are a ton of options out there. Personally, I can recommend the Diva Cup, which I’ve used for at least 5 years and absolutely love!
Washable & Reusable Pads & Liners
Or, try this set of 6 reusable pads with fun designs!
If you really just want to stick to traditional tampons, choose ones with cardboard applicators and come in paper wrappers.
These recommendations are copied from the section on disinfecting wipes for the kitchen, above.
Most wet wipes contain plastic threads that help to hold together the other natural materials that make up the wipe. That plastic never breaks down (and flushing them down the toilet is NOT eco-friendly).
Wipes also tend to come in plastic containers that are single-use.
Although they’re super convenient, try using cloth “paper” towels or smaller, reusable cloths (sometimes marketed as reusable baby cloths, but great for use around the house!)
Like disinfecting wipes, many makeup remove wipes and pads contain some amount of plastic that helps hold the material together. Plus, they’re almost always packaged in single-use plastic.
I’ve been using a makeup remover towel for YEARS, and it STILL works.
The stores and online shops are FULL of eco-friendly makeup remover options, but this is probably the most economical option:
S&T Inc. Always Off Makeup Clothes 5-Pack (choice of 3 color combos!)
You can use most makeup towels with warm water, or even coconut oil. Or try these DIY Makeup Remover Recipes to help cleanse your skin completely.
LAUNDRY ROOM SWAPS
Like shampoo and other cleaning products, laundry detergent is mostly water (that’s why it comes in bottles!). Guess who is paying to transport water around in single-use plastic (hint: YOU).
Here are some options to cut back on the plastic from just keepin’ your clothes clean!
DIY Laundry Detergent: Here’s a great basic laundry detergent recipe (you can make powder or liquid).
Shop Local: Keep empty bottles and bring them to a local refill shop.
Less Plastic Bottle: Biokleen’s concentrated eco-friendly laundry detergent comes in a bottle made from recycled newspapers and cardboard (only the cap is made of plastic!). You can get scented, free & clear, or baby formula!
Tru Earth Laundry Detergent Strips
These little strips are biodegradable, super concentrated, and ship in their own compostable box! And if you’re sick of giant detergent bottles, this little box of detergent strips will make laundry day easier!
CleanCult Home Bundle
When you order a home bundle from CleanCult, you’ll get two laundry products: their biodegradable laundry detergent tablets, and 3 wool dryer balls (to replace dryer sheets). CleanCult uses zero-waste packaging and their products smell awesome!
Yes, most dryer sheets that stop your clothes from sticking together contain plastic. (I hate being the bearer of bad news!)
If you’re already using plastic dryer balls instead of dryer sheets, that’s okay! Use them until they truly need to be replaced (throwing away a perfectly good plastic dryer ball that you already have isn’t eco-friendly).
When it’s time to replenish dryer sheets or replace the plastic dryer ball you’re currently using, opt for wool dyer balls.
CleanCult’s wool dryer balls are awesome. You can buy them as a stand-alone product or as part of a home bundle.
Most stain removers or pre-treaters come in a plastic package of some kind. Truth be told: the same thing can be purchased in a plastic-free bar version!
Stain remover bars can be cut into different sizes, which makes them great to travel with or carry in a diaper bag.
DIY Stain Stick: Here’s a recipe for a homemade stain remover (just don’t buy the little plastic tubes she recommends – reuse a dish or container you have at home!)
Buy A Stain Remover Bar:
I absolutely love Ethique products, so I’m recommending their laundry bar called Flash!
Here’s another brand that sells 3 stain remover bars for $10!
GARAGE / MISC SWAPS
This section about trash bags is repeated from the information provided for kitchen trash bags, above.
Trash bags are one of the toughest single-use plastics to tackle, because most of us need them, and most residential trash collection programs require them.
My most important advice: FILL THE BAG UP! Whether you’re using a bag made of recycled plastic, one of plant-based material, or one that is compostable, don’t toss bags that are only half-way filled. Make room and stuff them full!
Avoid throwing your stinkiest trash in a bag that isn’t near full; that way you can keep the bag longer and make the most of it.
Recycled Trash Bags – these are good for a household just learning to switch from plastic. At the very least, you’re using a bag that is giving other plastics a “second life”.
Evolution brand trash bags are made from 70% recycled plastic & you get 120 bags/liners for 20 bucks.
Seventh Generation bags are made from 65% recycled plastic
Even Hefty makes a bag from recycled plastics!
You can also be on the lookout for bags that say they are made from plants (“bio-based”) instead of fossil fuels, or compostable bags. But don’t be fooled: these are still plastic bags and no plastic is completely biodegradable!
Disposable, per-moistened wipes for cleaning or polishing your car are a plastic double-whammy.
First, most wipes contain plastic threads that hold the wipe together. Second, they come in a plastic container that most people throw out once used.
To clean and detail the inside of your car, try this cool reusable “duster”.
Cleaning up after your dog is a necessity (ain’t nobody gonna argue about that!).
There’s some serious moral dilemma about how to pick up after your dog in an eco-friendly way.
You could start using old newspapers, sale flyers, or pages from magazines, but then you wouldn’t be recycling that paper.
You could also re-use plastic bags that you get from stores (which so many people already do), but then you’re basically supporting the idea of single-use plastic bags (yes, they’re still single-use even if you use them one other time to pick up after your pet…the point is that they aren’t recyclable).
There are plenty of poop scoops that you can purchase, however many of them come with recommendations to use them with a plastic bag.
Since you’ve gotta use something while out in public, I recommend using parchment paper that you have lying around your kitchen (with or without a scoop). If you use parchment paper for cooking (which isn’t really necessary), it can’t be recycled due to food stains/moisture. So use it for poop instead, and be sure to avoid single-use plastic bags & recycle your newspapers and magazines.
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