Our Best Zero Waste Swaps

A comprehensive guide to all the swaps you need to go zero waste

Food

Apple Cider Vinegar

Make your own apple cider vinegar with fruit scraps.

Bottled Drinks and Sodas

Try making your own ginger beer or bring your own cup to a soda fountain!

Cheese

Go to a deli counter and see if they will put it in your own container!

Coffee Cups

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.

Coffee filter

Use a french press or reusable cloth coffee filters.

Cupcake liners

Instead of single-use cupcake liners, use silicone liners to hold your desserts, or just go without and grease the pans a bit more.

Dessert treats

Make homemade bliss balls, a nutty and sweet zero waste treat.

Granola/snack bars

Make homemade muesli bars, a hardy and healthy snack!

Grocery shopping

Use cloth bags, glass jars, bottles, and reusable containers to buy food from the bulk sections of grocery stores. Read more here

K-Cups

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

Milk

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

Packaged crackers

Make your own sourdough crackers or carrot pulp crackers (gluten free).

Parchment/baking paper

Instead of parchment paper, we suggest using reusable silicone baking mats.

Plastic baggies for storing food

To store food when you are on-the-go, use a silicone stasher bag or beeswax wraps.

Plastic produce bags

Use organic cotton produce bags or reusable grocery bags to carry your fruits and vegetables when shopping in the produce section or farmer’s market.

Plastic straw

Try using reusable silicone, aluminum, glass, or bamboo straws. Note: Be cautious when giving metal or glass straws to children.

Store cheese

To store cheese, wrap in a linen tea towel.

Store leftovers

Store leftovers in a bowl with plate over the top instead of using plastic wrap or freeze in heat stable glass container (e.g., Pyrex).

Store sandwiches

Simply wrap sandwiches in fabric or make your own sandwich wraps using an alternative material (such as beeswax!)

Store vegetables and herbs

Vegetables and herbs can be wrapped in damp tea towels, sealed in glass containers, or upright in a jar filled with an inch of water (especially good for carrots, celery, etc.)

Teabags

Use loose leaf tea and a tea strainer instead!

Tinfoil/plastic wrap

Instead of plastic wrap or tinfoil, use silicone lids or beeswax wraps.

Vacuum

Bagless, used

Vegetable broth

Make your own broth with vegetable scraps.

Yogurt

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

Cleaning

All-purpose cleaner

Fill an old spray bottle with vinegar and water: 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water.

Clean a burnt frying pan

Fill pan with a layer of water, add 1 cup of vinegar, bring to boil. Remove from heat and add 2 tbsp of baking soda (it will fizz).

Clean a microwave

Microwave 1/4 cup vinegar + 1 cup water in a bowl for around 3 minutes until boiling. Let sit 10 mins. Wipe inside with a damp cloth.

Clean mirrors

Pour a little vinegar onto a rag and wipe mirror. Then, dry with a clean rag.

Clean toilets

Sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl, then add vinegar and scrub.

Cleaning rags

Instead of buying cleaning rags wrapped in plastic, recycle old towels, clothes, and sheets that you no longer use. Cut them up, use, wash, and use again!

Descale your kettle

Fill the kettle halfway with a solution of equal parts cold water and white vinegar (a natural descaling agent). Repeat once and dry with a cloth.

Dryer sheets

Use wool dryer balls or tennis balls instead!

Fabric softener

Simply add one cup of white vinegar to the laundry machine during the rinse cycle.

Laundry whitener

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

Liquid soap

We suggest buying soap tablets from Blueland.com, which dissolve in water to create liquid soap! You can also find liquid dish detergent in bulk at your local co-op or zero waste shop.

Metal scrubber (steel wool)

This is a rare “just buy it” situation!

Paper towels/napkins

Use cloth napkins, tea cloths, or cloth rags, then load into your washing machine when dirty.

Plastic water filter

Try an activated charcoal stick: place it in a glass carafe of tap water for several hours. It binds to toxins, removing lead, mercury, chlorine, and copper.

Remove rust from baking tins

Rub with a peeled potato dipped in baking soda or salt.

Remove rust from cutlery

Polish cutlery with a paste of baking soda and vinegar.

Remove soap scum from shower screen

Fill an old spray bottle with vinegar and spray the screen. Leave for 3-5 minutes, then wipe down.

Shine drinking glasses

Soak in a solution of vinegar and water, then dry with a soft cloth.

Sponge

Use a biodegradable sponge or try crocheting your own washcloth.

Toilet brush

Use a sustainable wooden toilet brush.

Unblock a drain

Pour 1/3 cup of baking soda into the drain followed by 1 cup of white vinegar. Immediately seal the drain with a plug and leave 1 hour. Lastly, pour boiling water down the drain.

Wash dishes by hand

Add 4 tablespoons of baking soda to hot dish water.

Wash dishes in a dishwasher

Mix 1 cup each of borax & baking soda + 1/2 cup salt. Add 1 tbsp in the soap compartment. Add 1 tbsp vinegar to the rinse aid slot before starting the cycle.

Wet wipes

Make your own homemade cleaning wipes!

Whiten cloth diapers

Dissolve 1/4 cup of baking soda in warm water. Let the cloth diapers soak in the solution overnight, then wash the cloth diapers as normal.

Personal Care

Body wash

Use a bar of soap that you can often find zero waste at a grocery store or farmer’s market.

Conditioner

Make your own! Simply mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water. Experiment with the amount of vinegar; the dryer your hair is, the less you need.

Contact lenses

The easy fix is to wear glasses! But if you prefer contacts, choose ones with longer wear time like monthly or biweekly to reduce waste.

Contact solution

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.

Deodorant

Make your own deodorant at home – recipe here!

Disposable razor

Try using a (reusable) safety razor.

Dry shampoo

Use a mixture corn starch and/or cocoa powder depending on your hair color.

Eczema cream

Make your own skin cream at home.

Face mask

Make a DIY face mask: mix 1 tbsp matcha or bentonite clay with 2–4 tbsp water. Apply to clean skin, leave for 15 mins, then rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Facial scrub

Try making your own facial scrubs at home with baking soda, cornmeal, rose almond, oatmeal, azuki bean, milk and honey, banana, honey sugar, pumpkin, or greens.

Floss

try plastic-free silk floss instead, or switch to a waterpik

Hair rinse

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

Hairbrush

Use a sustainable wooden hairbrush.

Lip balm

Try making this easy citrus beeswax lip balm!

Loofah/shower scrubber

Try using an organic loofah, the actual plant!

Menstrual pads/tampons

Try a menstrual cup or reusable cloth pads, they can last 5–10 years and save money. Prefer disposables? Go for organic cotton to avoid toxins and irritation.

Mouthwash

Make homemade mouthwash with aloe, xylitol, and baking soda.

Q-tips

Use a reusable stainless steel or wood pick.

Shampoo

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!

Shaving cream/aftershave

Instead of buying plastic bottles from stores, make your own shaving cream and aftershave. Or try just using soap!

Sunscreen

Make your own natural sunscreen cream instead of buying sunblock at the store.

Tissues

Use cloth handkerchiefs and wash regularly. For allergy days or other needs, try eco-friendly tissue brands like whogivesacrap.org.

Toilet paper

t’s a zero waste exception, but you can level up with recycled toilet paper (like whogivesacrap.org) or go all in and install a bidet.

Toothbrush

Use a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush. Simple!

Toothpaste

Make It Yourself

Ingredients:

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 Free

bitetoothpastebits.com sells plastic free toothpaste, or check your local zero waste shop if you have one!

Social & Travel

Beer

Get a growler and fill up at your local brewery!

Gifts

Try giving digital gifts like gift certificates or giving experiences like concert tickets or shared outings.

Party decorations

Instead of buying plastic decorations, opt for natural things like local flowers and plants!

Travel kit

When you hit the road, make sure to pack the following items: water bottle, cutlery, cloth napkin, handkerchief, tupperware, travel coffee mug, and snacks!

Wrapping paper

Try tying physical gifts up in cloth, using a reusable container, or no wrapping at all!

Home

Batteries

Buy rechargeable batteries!

Clothing

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

Furniture

By second-hand furniture.

Pens/pencils

Try using a reusable fountain pen or invest in biodegradable options.

Tape

Instead of single-use tape, try substituting for string, ribbon, or a reusable clamp/clip.

Kids

Baby food

Make your own baby food at home! – Recipes here.

Diapers

Substitute single-use diapers for cloth ones!

Toys

Choose hand-me-downs or second-hand toys, or go for ones made from ethical materials like sustainably sourced wood, upcycled plastic, or natural rubber.