My Favorite Zero Waste Swaps

(That aren’t plastic straws and bags)

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As a crunchy(ish) mama, I am constantly looking for ways to decrease our waste and increase our overall health at the same time. In today’s world we are surrounded by plastic everything and one time use products. But ladies, this is not how our ancestors lived. Everything was reused, repurposed, and most things were made from scratch. So, here is my list of favorite zero waste swaps that I hope you will find useful in your own life.

1. Dish Towels Instead of Paper Towels

My husband may really hate this one but, it has been on my list of swaps for years. Paper towels are expensive, single use, and a waste of resources. In our home we use dishtowels to clean up everyday messes. Then, I just simply wash them and reuse them. I really love these Norwex cloths but if you are looking for something more affordable, these work great too! It takes time to transition to zero waste swaps, but maybe just start by being more conscious of how many paper towels you are using and see if you can use a dish towel instead from time to time.

2. Cloth Napkins

Along with no longer using paper towels, I have also stopped buying paper napkins for the same reasons. They are expensive, single use, and a waste of resources. When we set the table for dinner each night, my two-year-old son is tasked with going over to the cabinet and pulling out four of these cloth napkins. Then, after dinner, I just throw them in the laundry, and they are ready to go for the next night. Another bonus to using these is that when you have guests over, they always think you are so fancy. Little do they know; we are doing it to save money and be crunchy!

3. Compost

Composting is another great zero waste swap! We started composting less than a year ago and I already had enough compost to fill half of my garden beds this spring. Composting also creates incredibly nutritious soil for your plants. It is free and you have to do something with all those scraps anyways, so why not make some soil with them?

A fancy compost barrel is not needed for composting. You can literally just make a pile on the ground in an area where kids and animals are not going to be rummage through. But, if you do need something more secure, this compost barrel is a great option. Start with collecting your veggie scraps in a bowl in your sink. Once it is full, just move them outside to whatever compost option you have chosen. Be sure to add in some leaves or grass clippings as you go. Check out my Compost Post to learn more!

4. Buying Used Clothes

I know it is easy to be swept up in the latest fast fashion trend. And yes, walking down the aisle at Target you will see so many cute new tops! But buying used clothes is economical and better for the environment. I had a goal last year to not buy any new clothes. Ultimately, I failed, but it did make me stop and think before buying anything. Now I always at least check with secondhand stores first and I am less prone to impulse buying on a Target run.

There are a lot of great options out there for buying used clothes that are stylish and less expensive. Thred Up is my current favorite for buying second hand. They have so many options and the site is extremely user friendly.

5. Menstrual Cups

Have you heard about menstrual cups!? This is probably my favorite zero waste swap. This is a great way to ditch the tampons once and for all. Menstrual cups are reusable, super comfortable, and end up saving you money all at the same time. I use the Salt cup and have been extremely happy with it. Salt cups are non-toxic and hold up to 4 tampons worth. They have a quiz on their site to help you decide on which cup you need. And there is also a ton of information on the site to help guide you in how to use the cup. It can be a little tricky at first! But I promise you it is worth the investment.

6. Reusable Sandwich Bags

Ladies, it is time to ditch the Ziplocs! Ziplocs are super convenient, I get it. But, did you know that there are a lot of reusable sandwich bag options out there now that can go right in your dishwasher? This means that you can still have the convenience without the waste. These bags come in multiple sizes so you have options. They are made out of silicone and are dishwasher safe. Reusable bags aren’t just for sandwiches either. Use them for any kind of storage need!

7. Making Food From Scratch

Making food from scratch is a great way to save money and be less wasteful. Think about all the single packaged items you buy at the store. My recipe for homemade chicken stock is just one example of a great way to cut down on waste by making from scratch. You are using food and bones that would have otherwise been thrown away. And you can also reuse the storage containers over and over. Other items include most snack goods, muffins, and bread. Next time you pick up an item at the store just stop and think “Can I make this”? 9 times out of 10 the answer is yes.

8. Cleaning Products

Homemade cleaning products are a great way to create less waste. Also, they save a ton of money! A few items to have on hand for making homemade cleaning products are Doterra’s On Guard Concentrate and a bottle of Castile Soap. With these two products and some glass jars and bottles, you can create most cleaning products for your home! I use these for dish soap, hand soap, and all-purpose cleaner.

So there you have it, my top zero waste swaps. I hope you found this information useful and I would love to hear from you about your favorite swaps!