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Written by Deb Kingsbury
Living on a 36-acre off-grid property in northern Arizona, Deb and her husband Jeremy embrace sustainable living through solar power, rainwater harvesting, and a passive solar home built with recycled polystyrene block. They also cultivate food in raised beds and a greenhouse. Deb, who previously homesteaded on the East Coast, is an avid hiker and backpacker, a long-time search and rescue volunteer, and a freelance editor and writer with two published novels.
At a time when our planet is crying out for some extra eco-love, it's high time we all rethink our everyday choices. In this buying guide to reducing waste (and maybe a little guilt at the same time), we’ll suggest some small changes that can collectively make a significant impact.
So, say goodbye to the endless stream of disposable products and hello to a smarter, more sustainable lifestyle.
How about trading in those single-use coffee filters for reusable ones? That morning brew just got a little bit greener.
And who needs disposable AA batteries that end up in landfills when you can power up with rechargeables?
Ready for a fresh perspective on cotton balls? There are reusable alternatives available that are kind to your skin and the environment, too.
Join us on a journey where every choice counts. It's time to use this, not that. Our planet and—because you’ll spend less over time when using and reusing these things at home—your wallet will thank you!
A Reusable Products Table of Contents
Here’s an idea: Choose from some or all of these categories and put together a basket of useful reusable items for sustainable gift-giving.
In the Food Storage & Beverage Department
Coffee Filter Alternatives
Instead of tossing a paper filter every time you brew, use and reuse one of these instead—and repurpose those used coffee grounds while you’re at it.
Our Top Pick - GoldTone Reusable 8-12 Cup Basket Coffee Filters are designed to fit various coffee makers and brewers and replace paper coffee filters. They’re BPA-free and easy to clean. We’ve used ours for years.
Reusable K Cups Coffee Filter Pods come in packs of three and four. These inexpensive pods are compatible with Keurig 2.0 and 1.0 coffee makers. Just dump out the used grounds into your designated container or compost, rinse, and repeat.
Coffeesock The Original Reusable 100% Organic Cotton Coffee Filters are designed to fit 3-6 and 6-13 cup coffee makers. This pack of two is made of sustainably sourced, 100% organic cotton and can be composted when the filter is eventually worn out. Coffeesocks come in various styles and sizes.
Disposable Coffee Cup Alternatives
This is one we all know well: Instead of disposable coffee cups, use and reuse these eco-friendly alternatives when you stop by your favorite coffee-to-go shop. Obviously, there are bazillions of options out there, but here are a few functionally stylish suggestions to narrow things down a bit:
Our Top Pick - KeepCup Reusable Coffee Cups come in both tempered glass and BPA-free plastic, with either a cork or silicone band and lid. They’re lightweight, splash-proof, and designed to fit under most espresso machines.
Contigo Autoseal West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug is made of stainless steel and has double-wall vacuum insulation that keeps drinks hot for up to 5 hours and cold for up to 12 hours. It has a one-touch auto-seal lid that automatically seals between sips to prevent spills and leaks. This durable, reusable travel-style mug comes in a dozen colors.
Ello Jane Ceramic Travel Mugs have a silicone boot as a built-in, non-slip coaster, and a splash-resistant slider lid. They’re both microwave and dishwasher-safe with a comfortable grip.
Tea Bag Alternatives
Instead of disposable tea bags, consider using a reusable tea infuser made of stainless steel, glass, or silicone, which can be used for years (decades in our case). They’re also available in a variety of sizes and styles like these:
Our Top Pick - Stainless Steel Tea Balls are made of mesh and come in sets of two, with three different sizes.
Glass Tea Infusers with cork lids are see-through alternatives that can be used for loose-leaf tea, fruit infusions, organic coffee, cocoa, or flavored water. Silicone Tea Infusers are also food-grade, non-toxic, and easy to clean.
Disposable Plastic Bottle Alternatives
This is a well-known no-brainer, too, but it’s worth repeating. Instead of single-use plastic water bottles, use and reuse these eco-friendly alternatives. There are options made of BPA-free plastic, glass, and metal, with varying mouth sizes and cap styles.
Reusable bottles make great gifts, too. Here are three suggestions:
Our Top Pick - Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Water Bottles are popular for a reason. They have a double-wall vacuum insulation that keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12 hours. Here are some of the many colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from.
Lifefactory Bottles with Silicone Sleeves and Flip Caps are made of glass with a stylish silicone sleeve for non-slip gripping and to help prevent breakage. The flip cap is leak-proof, and the handle makes for easy carrying. A variety of colors, designs, and sizes are available for this brand.
Nalgene 32-ounce Wide Mouth Tritan Bottles are popular with hikers for a reason. This durable brand makes its bottles out of BPA-free Tritan plastic with a loop-top cap that can be clipped to a backpack or gym bag. I prefer the wide mouth for easy cleaning and also for fitting various types of water filters and purifiers. Someone gave me one of these Glow-in-the-Dark Nalgenes, partially made of recycled plastic, that helps me find my way back to my tent at night.
Plastic Straw Alternatives
Estimates suggest that 500 million plastic straws are thrown away daily (!) in the United States, including clear plastic straws, bendy straws, straws on juice boxes, cocktail straws, and plastic drink stirrers. Every. Day.
We can help bring that number down. Instead of single-use, use-and-toss plastic straws, use and reuse one of these stainless steel, glass, or silicone straws instead.
Our Top Pick - ALINK Stainless Steel Straws come with removable silicon tips to protect lips and teeth. This inexpensive set of 8 includes four straight and four bent straws and comes with cleaning brushes and a carrying case.
Glass Straws,14-Pack Drinking Straws include six straight and six bent straws. They’re shatter-resistant and come with two cleaning brushes.
Bent Reusable Silicone Straws (Set Of 10) And Cleaning Brush are flexible, long, and come in various colors. They’re compatible with 20 and 32-ounce tumblers and smoothie cups.
Aluminum Foil Alternatives
Instead of tossing foil every time you’ve used it to line a baking sheet, cover a pan, wrap food, etc., use and reuse one of these instead.
Our Top Pick - Vasdoo Reusable Aluminum Foil Stand-up Food Pouch Bags come in an affordable pack of 50 and are available in three sizes. These bags are sturdy, have a strong seal, and, like baggies, have a transparent window to view the contents.
Bee’s Wrap Assorted Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps are compostable and made of organic cotton, beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin. This reusable pack of three is a great alternative to foil and plastic wrap.
Silicone Baking Mats are non-stick, dishwasher-safe, and a great reusable alternative to aluminum foil when—you got it—baking.
Plastic Wrap Alternatives
Instead of using and discarding a new piece of plastic wrap every time you need it, use these greener alternatives.
Our Top Pick - TCOTBE Reusable Elastic Food Bowl Storage Covers come in an inexpensive 60-piece set with three translucent, stretchable sizes. These BPA-free bowl covers can used with your microwave bowl hugger or as a lid for freezer food storage, among many other uses … and re-uses.
Eco-Bags Products Organic Cotton Lunch Bag is a great alternative to plastic wrap when packing lunch. It’s machine washable and has a velcro closure.
Akeeko Assorted Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps are similar to the Bee’s Wrap product above under aluminum foil alternatives. Also made of organic cotton, beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin, you use the warmth of your hands to soften the wrap and mold it over a container or piece of food. Wash it in cool water with mild soap and air dry.
Silicone Stretch Lids are another great alternative to plastic wrap when covering bowls and containers. They’re stretchy, reusable, and dishwasher-safe.
Plastic Baggie and Freezer Bag Alternatives
Instead of one-and-done baggies, these alternatives can be used over and over again to store food, snacks, and other small items, and they’re dishwasher-safe too. (That said, we wash and re-use regular Ziplocs too.)
Our Top Pick - Qinline Reusable Food Storage Bags come in an affordable set of 24, with eight BPA-free, one-gallon bags, eight leak-proof sandwich bags, and eight food-grade snack bags. Bags have double closures and are freezer-safe.
Ziploc Endurables Reusable Silicone Bags can be used in the freezer, oven, and microwave, and they’re dishwasher-safe, too. The Cool Grab Tabs allow for easy handling after heating, and a secure seal helps prevent spills. These durable bags come in large, medium, and small sizes and variety packs.
Zip Top Reusable 100% Silicone Food Storage Bags are made of 100% platinum silicone and are dishwasher-safe. You can purchase them individually or as a set. These durable bags are pricier than other options, but use them repeatedly for long enough, and you’ll eventually surpass the cost of creating trash.
In the Cleaning Department
Paper Towel Alternatives
Instead of tossing paper towels and continuously buying those increasingly pricey multi-packs, use and reuse these instead:
Our Top Pick - Qinline Reusable Food Storage Bags come in an affordable set of 24, with eight BPA-free, one-gallon bags, eight leak-proof sandwich bags, and eight food-grade snack bags. Bags have double closures and are freezer-safe.
HOMEXCEL Microfiber Cleaning Cloths are the go-to reusable, all-purpose cleaning tool in our house. They’re super durable yet soft, lint-free, and inexpensive. We stash a pile in almost every room in the house and workshop.
Swedish Dishcloth Cellulose Sponge Cloths are made of natural cellulose and cotton. This affordable pack of 10 sponge cloths is a great alternative to paper towels. Not only are they reusable (“hundreds of times”), but they’re also biodegradable once you do want to dispose of them, so you can toss them in the compost bin.
EcoSoul Reusable “Paper” Towels, which come in a pack of 12, are actually made of absorbent cotton flannel and are machine washable.
Dryer Sheet Alternatives
Instead of dryer sheets, which are unnecessary single-use items often made of synthetic, non-biodegradable material, use and reuse one of these instead:
Our Top Pick - Wool Dryer Balls Organic XL 6-Pack by OHOCO are a great alternative to disposable dryer sheets. They’re made of 100% New Zealand wool and are chemical-free.
SnugPad Wool Dryer Balls XL Size are another great reusable alternative, also made of 100% New Zealand wool and chemical-free.
Purecosheet Reusable Dryer Sheets last for hundreds of loads, are chemical-, perfume- and dye-free, vegan, and hypoallergenic.
In the Personal Hygiene & Beauty Department
Cotton Ball Alternatives
Usually a one-and-done item, cotton balls are another disposable product for which there are plenty of reusable alternatives, including the simple, multipurpose washcloth. Here are some others:
Our Top Pick - Reusable cotton rounds can be used for various things, like removing makeup, applying toner, cleaning your face, and more.
LastSwab is a reusable cotton swab that can be used to clean your ears, apply makeup, or touch up your nails. It’s made of easy-to-clean silicone and comes with a carrying case.
Greenzla Reusable Pads come in a pack of 20 with a storage box and mesh laundry bag. These two-sided pads are soft and absorbent.
Wet Wipe Alternatives
Reusable wet wipes are available in the market. They're often OEKO-TEX certified, meaning they’ve been confirmed chemical-free. Here are a few good options:
Our Top Pick - FAMOPLY Reusable Flannel Cloth Baby Wipes are soft, durable, super absorbent, and hypoallergenic. This pack of 54 comes with a dispenser and a laundry bag.
Babygoal Washable, Reusable Baby Cloth Wipes are made of two layers of 80% bamboo viscose and 20% polyester for maximum absorbency.
Or, if you don’t want to wash and reuse wet wipe alternatives, these Compostable, Plant-Based Baby Wipes from The Honest Company are a great, eco-friendly, and dermatologist-tested option that’s been verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
Other Products
Disposable AA Battery Alternatives
Why focus on AA here? Because they’re the most commonly used battery size used around the home. So, instead of replacing them whenever they run out of juice and tossing this hazardous waste, use and reuse (and reuse, etc.) one of these instead:
Our Top Pick - Pale Blue USB-Rechargeable Lithium-ion AA Batteries charge much faster than most other rechargeable batteries, and these use a 4-in-1 USB-A to USB-C charging cable with LED indicators. This is the kind we prefer, and the USB charging makes it easy for traveling, too.
Amazon Basics Rechargeable AA Batteries come in packs of 8-24. They’re made of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and have a capacity of 2000mAh. They come pre-charged and can be recharged up to 1000 times. The charger is sold separately, but if you already have one, it should work with these batteries.
Panasonic Eneloop Pro Rechargeable AA Batteries are also made of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and have a capacity of 2550mAh. They’re pre-charged and can be recharged up to 500 times.
Single-use Plastic Bag Alternatives
We all know about reusable shopping bags, which are often available right in the checkout line. And many of us already have more than enough. But just in case you’re on the lookout for some durable ones, maybe to use as reusable gift bags for the gift-ee, here are a few good green options.
Our Top Pick - BeeGreen Reusable Grocery Bags are a popular alternative to plastic shopping bags that come in tons of colors, patterns, and counts. They’re made of durable but lightweight ripstop nylon and are machine washable. Another nice feature is that each bag has an integrated square pouch, so you can stuff it in, and it fits right in your pocket or purse until you need it.
Earthwise Reusable Grocery Bags are made of 80-gram non-woven polypropylene with recycled cardboard walls for a rigid structure when opened. This is a pack of three, but you can get these bags in other counts, colors, and patterns.
Reusable Canvas Bags like these with interior compartments (great for glass bottles) and side pockets are spacious, sturdy, and made to last. These quality bags have an 80-pound load capacity and two handle lengths.
Party Balloon Alternatives
Balloons, especially mylar ones, are made from materials that take a very (very, etc.) long time to decompose. Even latex balloons marketed as "biodegradable" can take up to four years to break down, and in seawater, they deteriorate even slower. So instead of using those types of balloons, which are also harmful to wildlife, use and reuse one or more of these:
Our Top Pick - Paper Lanterns are easy to inflate, and if you take good care of them, you can reuse them over and over. They come in many different shapes and colors and can be illuminated, too. To hang them, tie a bit of thread to an uncoiled paper clip and insert it in the hole.
Reusable Water Soaker Balls are a great alternative to water balloons that can be used for outdoor games and activities.
Reusable Party Pom-pom Balls are a great alternative to party balloons. They come in many colors, sizes, and styles to match any theme.
Do you have suggestions for other types of disposable products that have reusable, more sustainable alternatives? Please let us know your ideas and suggestions in the comments below.
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