Low-Waste Swaps That Are Actually Worth It (And What to Skip)
The term “zero waste” can be intimidating and feel unattainable. It can also feel like an aesthetic or a a trend to uphold a specific image.
That’s not what I teach.
The most sustainable thing you can do is:
Use what you already have
Repair when possible
Borrow or share
Buy secondhand
Buying new “eco” products is not the starting point! But sometimes, you genuinely need to replace something. And when that moment comes, it’s helpful to know which swaps are actually worth the investment and which ones are mostly greenwashing.
Here are the low-waste swaps I personally think are worth it (and a few I’d skip).
Swaps That Are Actually Worth It
1. Secondhand Items
Clothing, baby gear, home goods, and even outdoor equipment are often used for only a short period of time before being resold or donated. Buying secondhand keeps perfectly good items in circulation and significantly reduces the environmental footprint of your purchases. In many cases, you’ll also save a lot of money!
Here are some of the platforms I recommend checking before buying new:
Secondhand Marketplaces
These platforms make it easy to buy and sell used items online.
Poshmark – great for clothing, accessories, and shoes
ThredUp – a large online resale platform for secondhand clothing
Depop – popular for vintage and unique fashion finds
Mercari – a broad resale marketplace for everything from clothing to home goods
If you’re looking for specific brands or styles, these platforms can often be the easiest place to start.
Secondhand Baby & Kids Gear
A closet full of secondhand and hand-me-down baby clothing before we welcomed our baby boy in 2023!
Baby products are some of the easiest items you can buy secondhand, since many are only needed for a few months! Platforms that specialize in baby and kids gear include:
Rebel (formally Rebelstork) – open-box and overstock baby gear. My absolute favorite site and go-to. I even shop here for gifts for other parents. I don’t care if they have an Amazon registry they are getting an open box item from me, ha!
GoodBuy Gear – secondhand baby gear marketplace, similar to Rebel.
Local parent groups, Facebook Marketplace, and neighborhood Buy Nothing groups can also be excellent places to find baby gear that families are ready to pass along. And don’t forget about your friends and family that probably have bags of clothing sitting in their closets!
Thrift stores and consignment shops are also great options if you prefer to shop in person and often carry everything from clothing to kitchenware and home goods.
2. Refillable Cleaning Systems (or DIY)
Loving the Blueland toilet bowl tablets lately! I just started using these and they work very well.
One of the first things I would switch out is cleaning products. Not only for environmental reasons, but these products also come into direct contact with surfaces in your home, so ingredients matter.
Many conventional cleaners come in single-use plastic and are mostly water. Some of them have harsh chemicals and a long list of ingredients that you can’t even read. Refillable systems reduce packaging and unknown chemicals dramatically and are easy to integrate into everyday life.
Brands I trust:
minimal packaging, clean ingredients, refill options
small business, products made in the US, clean ingredients, refill options
Branch Basics
Anything with a reputable third party cert like Clean Label Project, EWG Verified, or a B Corp
Why they’re worth it:
Environmental benefits, less single-use packaging, better for your health!
What to do first:
Finish your current cleaners before switching.
Opt for DIY:
Another great way to control what products you are using is to make your own. There are dozens of recipes on the internet to make your own cleaning supplies that are just as effective as store bought.
3. Reusable Food Storage
Before buying: Check your cabinets. Mason jars and jars from food you’ve already used and washed out are perfect.
Now I know it’s tempting to reuse takeout containers, and these aren’t a bad idea to have on hand for when guests come over and you want to send them home with leftovers, but personally, I prefer glass containers because they last longer, are easier to clean, and I don’t have to worry about heating plastic. I purchased my glass set from Costco years ago and we are still using them.
Quick PSA: Even if you prefer plastic containers, you should never microwave them!
Some other great low waste options:
Stasher bags last forever!
Stasher Bags - I swear by these. Such a fantastic alternative to ziplock bags. I send my son’s snacks for school in these with a label on them and we use them for on the go.
Bees Wrap - great reusable option if you don’t want to use a container and just throw something on a bowl like Cling Wrap.
I’ve never tried them, but Stasher also makes these Stretch Lids - they’re definitely on my radar!
Why they’re worth it:
Environmental benefits, less single-use packaging, better for your health!
What to do first:
Don’t get rid of your plastic containers, just save those for guests as I mentioned. However, I would recommend investing in a good set of glass containers.
4. Menstrual Cups or Reusable Period Products
This one has significant long-term waste reduction and cost savings. BUT, I will say, this is not for everyone and there is a learning curve for how to use a menstrual cup specifically.
I love my cup. I’ve been using the same one for over 5 years. Every month after my cycle I boil it in hot water to sanitize it and it’s good as new.
Here are the pros:
reusable
saves a ton of money on buying expensive tampons and pads
holds a lot more volume than a tampon
it’s a natural material that’s going into a very intimate part of my body
Honest Cons:
Like I mentioned, the learning curve is a little steep, you need to figure out how to insert it properly so it’s comfortable and used correctly
You do need to empty it and clean it out. Not the most fun activity but you get used to it, in my opinion
Menstrual cups come in all different shapes and sizes.
Why it’s worth it:
Environmental benefits, less single-use, better for your health, holds more volume of liquid
What to do first:
Go through your stash of tampons if you have them, then give this a try! It’s not for everyone, so don’t feel bad if it’s just not something you want to experiment with.
5. Other reusables
Some reusable products end up forgotten in a drawer. Others become part of your daily routine and replace hundreds of single-use items over time. Here are a few reusables that tend to make a real difference.
Water Bottles
Love to see refill stations becoming the norm!
A durable water bottle is one of the easiest ways to reduce single-use plastic. Most cities (including NYC) and public places have plenty of places to refill water, and carrying a bottle quickly becomes second nature. You don’t need a collection though, just one reliable bottle that you’ll keep for years (okay fine, one for your home and one for on the go…)
Examples:
Hydro Flask - I only drink water ICE COLD, and these bottles never disappoint. They also have a trade-in program so you can properly recycle your old bottles!
Klean Kanteen - a reliable B-Corp. They’re also part of 1% for the planet.
What matters most is durability and actually remembering to bring it with you!
Reusable Coffee Cups
If you regularly buy coffee or tea on the go, a reusable cup is such an underrated swap, but it can truly replace hundreds of disposables per year. Collapsible cups are especially helpful because they’re easy to carry around when not in use.
One option I am obsessed with and use alllll the time is my Stojo collapsible cup. I also have their collapsible bowl and both are staples when I am on the go. They fold down small enough to keep in my bag which is super convenient.
Bidets (An unexpected one)
Bidets are one of those sustainability swaps people don’t always think about, but they can significantly reduce toilet paper consumption over time. There’s also a hygiene aspect that many people end up preferring once they try it!
Simple attachment bidets can be installed on most toilets without major plumbing changes. It’s not the right fit for everyone, but for households open to it, it can be a surprisingly impactful change. I personally like Tushy.
Final Thought
Low-waste living isn’t about replacing everything you own with “eco” products. In most cases, the most sustainable options are:
• Using what you already have
• Repairing items when possible
• Buying secondhand
• Choosing durable products when you do need something new
Small changes, repeated over time, add up.
***(Some of the links in this guide may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, it helps support free/low cost climate education and community programming.)***