Zero Waste Alternatives: The Ultimate List

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While the journey towards Zero Waste is never ending, these alternatives will help any step of the way! All of these alternatives have been tried, tested, and approved by me! I would never post anything that I have not researched to the best of my ability and will constantly update this list with new alternatives! Please keep in mind that throwing out an old item for one of the items I have listed is not a good alternative. Use up old products, recycle, donate, give away or sell the rest! The purpose of Zero Waste is to prevent as much matter from heading to the landfill as possible!

Hygiene Essentials

The Waste Problem: Disposable Razors Why: Non-recyclable, expensive, wasteful The Alternative: Safety Razor or laser hair removal (more money) Where to buy: Shop Package Free Shaving Solutions

The Waste Problem: Plastic Toothbrush Why: Non-recyclable, wasteful The Alternative: Bamboo compostable and sustainable toothbrushes Where to buy: Shop Package Free Bamboo Toothbrushes

The Waste Problem: Disposable Makeup Remover Wipes Why: They are wasteful, expensive, unnecessary, and often have toxic chemicals The Alternative: Organic Coconut Oil and Reusable Cotton Rounds Where to buy: Shop Package Free Reusable Facial Rounds

The Waste Problem: Cotton Rounds Why: Cotton is very pesticide and water intensive and they are not recyclable The Alternative: Reusable Cotton Rounds Where to buy: Shop Package Free Reusable Facial Rounds

The Waste Problem: Body Wash in Packaging Why: It is wasteful, not recyclable everywhere, and contains chemicals The Alternative: Unwrapped Bulk Soap Where to buy: Shop Package Free Soaps

The Waste Problem: Bleached toilet paper Why: Dangerous chemicals, non-recycled, wasteful The Alternative: Recycled, Natural Unbleached Bamboo Toilet Paper or Reusable Toilet Paper Where to buy: Shop Package Free Toilet Paper

The Waste Problem: Plastic Tampon Applicator and Non Organic Tampon Why: Conventional cotton is pesticide laden & I don’t want plastic in my life, especially near my… The Alternative: Menstrual cup such as Lunette cup Where to buy: Shop Package Free Period Products

Everyday Essentials

The Waste Problem: Disposable Plastic Bags Why: Go straight to landfill, very infrequently recycled, wasteful The Alternative: Organic Cotton Tote Where to buy: Shop Package Free Bags

The Waste Problem: Plastic Water Bottles Why: Not often recycled (less than 20%), end up in landfill, completely avoidable The Alternative: Reusable water bottles or glasses Where to buy: Shop Package Free Drinkware

The Waste Problem: Plastic Straw Why: End up in landfill, completely avoidable The Alternative: Stainless Steel Straw Where to buy: Shop Package Free Reusable Straws

The Waste Problem: Wrapping Paper on Birthdays and Holidays Why: It goes straight to the landfill and is infrequently reused The Alternative: Re-Use Newspaper and biodegradable twine from a hardware store. Check out my Zero Waste Gift Wrapping Guide!

Kitchen Essentials

The Waste Problem: Individually portioned coffee and tea and disposable coffee filters Why: They produce a lot of unnecessary waste, uses plastic, and are not recyclable The Alternative: A French Press – the coffee tastes better, easy to clean, no plastic, no waste! Where to buy: I found my Bodum french press secondhand on Craigslist.

The Waste Problem: Plastic Cutting Boards Why: You can not recycle them and it is said that these boards develop nicks which foster bacteria The Alternative: Wooden Cutting Boards Where to buy: My friend Chelsea makes amazing boards that I use every day!

The Waste Problem: Plastic To Go Utensils Why: They can not be recycled and there is really no use for them The Alternative: Reusable To Go Bamboo Cutlery Where to buy: Shop Package Free Cutlery

The Waste Problem: Plastic Cooking Utensils Why: They tend to melt and could leach toxins into your food The Alternative: Bamboo utensils: are naturally antibacterial, absorb little moisture and regenerate fast Where to buy: You can usually find wooden or bamboo options at home and cooking stores, or secondhand!

The Waste Problem: Plastic Ice Trays Why: Most likely not recyclable and could leach toxins The Alternative: Stainless Steel Ice Tray Where to buy: Shop Package Free Ice Trays

The Waste Problem: Conventional Dish Soap Why: They have a high concern for cancer, high levels of preservatives and other problems The Alternative: Bulk Castile Soap or Dish Soap Bars Where to buy: Shop Package Free Dish Soap

The Waste Problem: Dish brush Why: Not recyclable or compostable The Alternative: Compostable and reusable dish brush Where to buy: Shop Package Free Dish Brushes

The Waste Problem: Plastic Dish Dryers Why: They can not be recycled The Alternative: Lay your dishes out on a reusable towel to dry Where to Buy: Shop Package Free Reusable Dish Towels

The Waste Problem: Plastic Tupperware Why: It poses possible toxicity risks and can leach chemicals into your food The Alternative: Mason Jars, Stainless Steel Containers, or Reusable Silicone Bags Where to buy: Shop Package Free Leftover Storage Solutions

The Waste Problem: Nonstick Pan Why: A slew of health problems associated with nonstick coating The Alternative: Cast Iron Pan Where to buy: Mine is from Lodge Cast Iron, but you can typically find these secondhand online.

Cleaning Essentials

The Waste Problem: Paper Towels Why: Non-recyclable, wasteful The Alternative: Reusable towels Where to buy: Shop Package Free Reusable Paper Towels

The Waste Problem: Dryer Sheets Why: Synthetic, non-recyclable, unnecessary The Alternative: Organic Dryer Balls- cut drying time, prevent static Where to Buy:Shop Package Free Dryer Balls

The Waste Problem: A slew of cleaning products Why: They contain chemicals and are unnecessary The Alternative: White Vinegar used as a counter or mirror cleaner, presoak for laundry. Check out my 3 Ingredient Homemade Nontoxic Cleaner! Where to buy: Any supermarket should have these ingredients

The Waste Problem: Laundry Detergent Why: There are over 85,000 industrial chemicals on the market today in laundry detergents, including known carcinogens! The Alternative: In 2014, I created The Simply Co., a Vegan, Organic, natural laundry detergent with just three all-natural ingredients: baking soda, washing soda, and castile soap. It’s a powerful, concentrated powder that reduces its’ carbon footprint, gives you more bang for your buck, and it’s packaged in a glass container, which can be recycled or reused afterward. Psst. Check out my Guide to Sustainable Laundry here! Where to buy: Shop The Simply Co.