I am no way affiliated or sponsored by any of the products or companies listed below. They are a compilation of items that I have personally found useful in reducing my environmental impact. My intent on listing these items here is to save you time and learn about sustainable alternatives to the every day items we consume. While I provide links to purchase these items new, please consider sourcing these items locally and used whenever possible.
Find a local second-hand shop
Look for items on Craigslist or FreeCycle
Buy used items on Amazon and Ebay
OR
Shop at a Zero Waste Shop:
Package Free Shop (NYC) | The Zero Shop (California) | Zero Waste Store (Florida) | Wild Minimalist (California)
On The Go
Straw. Shop
Say no to single-use plastics by being prepared. Or opt out by refusing straws all together @ restaurants: “Water with no straw, please.”
Coffee/Tea Travel Mug. Shop
Say no to single-use plastics by being prepared. Forget your mug? Forego the plastic lid (#igotopless) or opt to drink in instead of taking it away.
Water Bottle. Shop
There is a whole spectrum of water bottles out there in the market - but any water bottle will do. Second hand shops have plenty of water bottles for sale.
AT Home
In the Kitchen
Stovetop Espresso Maker. Shop
Skip the capsule machines and coffee filters. I like the stainless steel Bialetti brand for making espresso on the stove. Prefer drip coffee? Try this french press instead. Make lattes and cappuccinos at home with this milk frother.
Tea Strainer. Shop
Most individually wrapped tea bags come with plastic packaging. These stainless steel tea strainers work great for loose-leaf teas. You can order organic loose-leaf tea in bulk at Mountain Rose Herbs, as well as other tea accessories.
Mason Jars.
Great for storing bulk food items and come in an assortment of sizes. You can also commonly find mason jars at your local second hand shop, or buy them new at Amazon, Target, or Ace Hardware. I strongly suggest exchanging the lids with stainless steel rings if you plan to clean them in the dishwasher, so they don’t rust.
Dish Brush. Shop
This Redecker natural fiber bristle brush is durable for cleaning pots and pans. It made out of untreated beechwood wood, which can be composted at the end of its life. Skip the sponge (mostly plastic-based) with these cotton dish cloths.
Dishwasher Detergent Capsules. Shop/Subscribe
These natural detergent pods come in plastic-free packaging and are biodegradable.
All-Purpose Soap. Shop
This concentrated liquid multi-purpose soap is great for cleaning dishes and household surfaces (e.g., floors, counters). While it comes in a recyclable plastic bottle, buying it in bulk minimizes plastic waste.
Glass & Mirror Cleaner. Shop
This glass and mirror cleaner is condensed into a dissolvable tablet from Blueland. Dissolve this tablet in a 20 oz bottle (I use a 16 oz glass one), and for a $2 tablet you have yourself a fantastic eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning product with no plastic waste.
Multi-Purpose Cleaner. Shop
This multi-purpose cleaner is condensed into a dissolvable tablet from Blueland. Dissolve this tablet in a 20 oz bottle (I use a 16 oz glass one), and for a $2 tablet you have yourself a fantastic eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning product with no plastic waste.
Bathroom Cleaner. Shop
This bathroom cleaner is condensed into a dissolvable tablet from Blueland. Dissolve this tablet in a 20 oz bottle (I use a 16 oz glass one), and for a $2 tablet you have yourself a fantastic eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning product with no plastic waste.
Nut Milk Bag. Shop
Make your own almond or oat milk at home with this reusable nut milk bag. Wash by hand and hang dry after use.
Trash Bags / Compost Bags. Shop.
Compostable at municipal facilities. Great for keeping compost bins clean or substituting plastic liners out for trash bins. This product is available in 3 gallon and 13 gallon sizes.
Ice Cube Trays. Shop
Silicone-made. These flexible trays are great for ice and preserving pureed foods (e.g., baby food - see instruction book below in the Children’s section.
Reusable Food Storage Bags. Shop.
Silicone made. Leak-proof and dishwasher safe. Great alternative to zip lock bags.
At Home
In the Bathroom / Laundry
Tooth paste. Shop
Toothpaste reinvented! Bite down on the tablet and start brushing. The ingredients are made from biomaterials and are marine degradable. This produce comes in plastic-free and recyclable packaging, which means a lot since 1 Billion toothpaste tubes are thrown out globally each year! You can also subscribe to refill your glass bottles.
Toothbrush. Shop
Made of bamboo, not plastic. Since it is compostable, this toothbrush helps to eliminate one of the most prevalent forms of ocean plastic pollution.
Floss. Shop
Refillable floss container. The floss is compostable and made from mulberry silk floss and coated in (vegan) candelilla wax. Even the floss refill packaging is compostable - and comes in Polylactide Acid bag created from the lactic acid in plants (certified compostable).
Bidet. Shop
Americans use over 34 million rolls of toilet paper every day which wastes precious resources and damages the environment and ecosystems that rely on trees. Bidets reduce toilet paper consumption by 75 to 100% to give you not only a luxurious bathroom experience but also a green lifestyle. Other great bidets are from TUSHY.
Lotion. Shop
Reusable and Refillable container. Make a one-time purchase and return to the shop when a refilled bottle is needed. Subscription program available.
Alternatively, you can buy lotion in bulk and use a dispenser or mason jar at home for daily use.
Shampoo. Shop
Reusable and Refillable container. Make a one-time purchase and return to the shop when a refilled bottle is needed. Subscription program available.
Alternatively, you can buy shampoo in bulk and use a shower dispenser at home for daily use OR use a shampoo bar
Conditioner. Shop
Reusable and Refillable container. Make a one-time purchase and return to the shop when a refilled bottle is needed. Subscription program available.
Alternatively, you can buy conditioner in bulk and use a shower dispenser at home for daily use OR use a conditioner bar.
Deodorant. Shop
Packaging can be recycled and reused by the manufacturer’s recycling club. Free of aluminum, propylene glycol, parabens & phthalates. Comes in multiple scents.
Razor. Shop
All-metal, stainless steel shaver - durable, attractive, and plastic free! Appropriate for all your shaving needs (men and women, head to toe). Blades are also recyclable through the Albatross Blade Take Back Program.
Menstrual Cup. Shop
Menstrual cups are a great alternative to pads/tampons and saves the planet from millions of disposable period products ending up in the landfills. Menstrual cups last for years, and more economical.
Reusable pads/liners. Shop
A great alternative to pads and saves the planet from millions of disposable period products ending up in the landfills. Washable and more economical.
Facial Moisturizer with SPF30. Shop
Biodegradable - Reef safe - Water resistant - NPA certified natural - Cruelty free - Plastic free packaging
Toilet Paper.
Look for these plastic-free individual wrapped 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue in your grocery store or nearby restaurant outlet. Alternatively, you can get your 100% recycled toilet paper delivered to you via WhoGivesACrap. 50% of their profits are used to build toilets for those in need.
Hair Ties. Shop
100% Biodegradable made from organic cotton and natural rubber. Compostable.
Shower Curtain Liner. Shop
Fabric liner that is mildew-resistant and washable.
Bandaids. Shop
These organic bamboo bandaids are 100% compostable (even the wrappers!).
Dryer Balls. Shop
For clothing items that can’t be hung on a clothing line, skip the dryer sheets by using these 100% Natural Wool Dryer Balls.
Laundry Detergent. Shop
This bulk (10lb) powdered laundry detergent comes in plastic-free packaging. Safe for washing machines, non-toxic, and unscented.
Guppy Bag. Shop
Stop Micro-plastic pollution, by placing polyester (and other synthetic) fabric clothing items into this bag when washing.
Foldable Drying Rack. Shop
Save money and carbon emissions by drying your laundry inside. Great for rainy days or if you lack the space outdoors for a clothing line.
Bath Towels. Shop
These 100% GOTS certified organic cotton towels are high quality and sustainably made via Under the Canopy. They also sell bed sheets and other linens.
Children
Food. Shop
Make nutritious, package-free food for your little ones with this book. It contains detailed information on how to introduce your baby to new foods through their first year of life, shopping lists, techniques, and recipes. You can make 3 months of homemade purees in 3 hours! I highly recommend it.
Glass Baby Bottle. Shop
These glass baby bottles are dishwasher safe and comes in 4 oz or 8 oz sizes. Works with a wide variety of silicone nipple sizes (1-4 and sippy top transitions), suitable from newborn to toddler ages. Great design and also works with some breast pumps!
Food Pouches. Shop
These reusable food pouches are great on the go for smoothies, purees, and yogurt. Dishwasher and freezer safe.
Compostable Diapers. Shop
Conventional diapers are made with plastic and take 500 years to degrade in landfills! These bamboo diapers by Dyper are 100% biodegradable. When you subscribe to their diapers, they will offset carbon emissions on your behalf through CoolEffect.org. Other great compostable diapers are Naty’s. Better yet, check out if there is a compost diapering service in your area, such as Earth Baby in California. Diapers will compost into soil within 14 weeks at designated municipal facilities!!! Compostable diapers are a great convenient alternative to washable cloth diapers, especially in water stressed regions.
ACTIVE GEAR / Adventuring
Surf Wax. Shop
100% biodegradable surf wax made of all-natural beeswax, coconut oil and sandalwood oil. Conventional surf wax is made out of petrochemicals which can harm ocean reefs. No reef, no surf.
Surf Fin. Shop
Made out of plastic waste collected in Indonesia.
Backpacking/Camping Food. Shop
Avoid packaged foods on the trail with this fantastic recipe book.