Single-use plastic is everywhere—from water bottles to grocery bags—and avoiding it can be tough. But even small changes can make a big difference.
This July, take a moment to look at the plastic items you use every day. Are there any you could replace with reusable options? You might start with something simple, like a refillable water bottle or challenge yourself to go further and make more changes throughout the month and beyond.
Continue reading to learn easy, sustainable swaps you can make in each room of your home to help reduce plastic waste.
Need help getting started? Try doing some sustainable shopping at a local refillery! We are partnering with Resen Refillery and Natural Market in Grove City and ReWash Refillery in Clintonville to offer a special a 25% discount on purchases up to $100 for customers during the entire month of July. To redeem just mention “Choose To Reuse” at check out.
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Kitchen Swaps
The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in many homes, which means it can also create a lot of waste. One way to reduce this waste is by swapping disposable items for reusable ones.
- Plastic water bottles > Reusable water bottles
- Disposable coffee cups > Reusable travel mugs
- Plastic sandwich bags > Silicon storage bags
- Parchment paper > Beeswax wraps
Glass jars, like mason jars or old containers from items such as pickles, salsa or yogurt, can be cleaned and reused to store food. There’s no need to buy new containers when so many useful ones come right from the grocery store.
- Disposable coffee pods and filters > Refillable coffee pods and reusable mesh coffee filters
- Paper cupcake baking cups > Reusable silicone baking cups
- Aluminum for lining sheet tray > Line sheet trats with silicon baking mats
Packing meals for school or work is a great chance to cut back on waste. Try using reusable bento boxes to keep food organized, along with reusable silverware, chopsticks and straws for a more eco-friendly lunch. You can also make your grocery trips greener by bringing reusable produce and shopping bags instead of using plastic ones. At home, consider visiting refill shops for items like dish soap or dry goods such as coffee beans or rice—just bring your own containers to fill and reuse. Finally, swap out paper towels for tea towels, reusable paper towels or Swedish dish cloths, all of which can be washed and used again each week.
Bathroom Swaps
Next, let’s take a look at another high-use area in the home: the bathroom. One simple swap is to use a bamboo toothbrush instead of a plastic one. Bamboo is a compostable material that helps reduce plastic waste. Just make sure the bristles are plastic free if you want the whole toothbrush to be fully compostable. To cut down on even more plastic, try switching to refillable bathroom products such as liquid hand soap or cleaning supplies. You can also reduce waste by choosing natural or bar versions of items like deodorant, body wash and shampoo, which often come with little or no plastic packaging.
Cleaning Swaps
Cleaning often creates a lot of waste, but there are simple swaps you can make to reduce it. Consider giving the swaps below a try.
- Disposable cleaning wipes > Reusable cleaning rags combined with a homemade cleaning solution
- Single-use mopping pads > Washable mopping pads
- Dryer sheets > Dryer balls that can be reused for years
Dining Room Swaps
In the dining room, one easy way to reduce waste is by using reusable cloth napkins instead of disposable paper ones during meals. They can be washed and reused many times, and they also add a nice touch to your table setting.
If you’re hosting a dinner party or special gathering, you can cut down on single-use items by shopping secondhand for decor. Thrift stores often have affordable and unique tablescape items, such as candle holders, table runners, dishes and serving ware. Not only does this help reduce waste, but it also gives your table a creative, one-of-a-kind look without the need for buying new.
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Every time you say no to a single-use item like a plastic water bottle, plastic bag or plastic fork it adds up to something bigger. The choices we make each day help shape a more sustainable future. It’s not about being perfect but about making smart, thoughtful decisions whenever we can.
