Eco-Friendly Product Swaps You Should Be Making Today

Not only does this soap smell divine, it’s the best option across the board if you have sensitive skin. I’ve tried so many different bar soaps, from artisanal French to drugstore favorites and always come back to this one. It leaves zero residue and will never dry out your skin. Can you tell I love it? It’s completely unnecessary to buy body wash in plastic containers, especially when the end result is no different than when you use an environmentally friendly bar of soap.

Stasher bags are perfect for freezing, storing, and even marinating food. Until I discovered these bags, I would literally hand wash plastic baggies and reuse them over and over again until they were virtually unusable- I can’t tell you how happy I am that this phase of my life is over! When you’re finished using them, you can throw them in the dishwasher or wash them out by hand. You’ll never need to use single use plastic bags again!

I rarely go anywhere without one of these totes. The compact nature of the bag, allows you to slip it into any size purse and take it with you everywhere. It will eliminate the need for unnecessary bags, in turn, reducing waste. Whether I’m traveling or just going to the store, I always make sure I have one on hand!

These matches are the perfect alternative to a plastic, non-recyclable lighter wand- and they’re aesthetically pleasing enough to keep out on a table or countertop. Oprah has featured these matches on her ‘Favorite Things’ list, which is reason enough to take a look!

Wool dryer balls naturally soften fabric and decrease drying time, ultimately, eliminating a plastic container and decreasing your energy consumption. You’re also using fewer chemicals, which is beneficial for your health and the environment.

Over the past few years its become incredibly trendy to perfectly organize your pantry and kitchen cabinets. I cringe every time I see someone open their kitchen cabinets to shelves filled with unnecessary plastic containers. These glass jars are the perfect alternative and will keep your food fresher, and are far chicer than rows of plastic containers. Depending on your storage requirements and budget, there are hundreds of glass options to meet all of your needs. Baskets made from natural materials are also great for kitchen organization!

It wasn’t until I lived abroad, that I realize our obsession with paper towels. In the US we use them for everything, without even thinking. These bamboo towels are a sustainable alternative to the single use paper towels we are so accustomed to. Before you reach for another paper towel, think to yourself- do I really need this?

Probably the least glamorous item on the list, this dental floss is 100% biodegradable and comes in a refillable glass holder. Traditional floss, made from plastics takes hundreds of years to biodegrade and comes in a mixed material plastic case, making it nearly impossible to recycle. Rather than publicly shaming you out of using traditional dental floss, or worse, the single use disposable dental floss picks, I wanted to provide you with this sustainable alternative!

Another simple way to eliminate excess plastic is doing away with plastic based dish washing brushes. This brush includes a changeable head with natural bristles, making it a sustainable alternative to its plastic counterpart.

Bringing your own produce bags to the grocery store will reduce your waste significantly. I use these bags for everything from produce to fresh herbs. If possible, find the bulk section of your grocery store and stock up on anything from dried beans to rice and pasta while using your reusable bags.

Eliminating plastic wrap from your kitchen is so simple and should be done as soon as possible. Bee’s Wrap can take the place of plastic wrap when necessary. The wrap is made out of beeswax, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin, making it biodegradable! If you take care of your Bee’s Wrap well and follow the care instructions it will last you for up to a year.

I’ve completely converted my family to only using biodegradable trash bags and even doggy bags! This small change is more significant than you might think! Every plastic trash bag you use will sit in a landfill years after you’ve thrown it out. Depending on how often you take out the trash, you could be saving hundreds of plastic bags from going into a landfill every year!

Before you roll your eyes, hear me out. Adopting a vegan diet, if only a few days a week, significantly impacts the environment. According to an Oxford University study, published in the journal Climatic Change, the dietary greenhouse-gas emissions among meat-eaters is between 99 and 102 percent higher than those of vegans. In addition to that, scientist Dr. Fredrik Hedenus at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden stated that, “reducing meat and dairy consumption is key to bringing agricultural climate pollution down to safe levels.” Undoubtably, adopting a more plant-based diet is beneficial for the environment. If you’re looking to learn more about how to go vegan and my personal experience with the diet, check out my post- Beginner’s Guide to Going Vegan, below!