Sustainable Swaps I Use Daily

Updated: Sep 21, 2021

In the Bathroom

Shampoo Bar:

I am in the process of trying shampoo bars. Currently, I use Love Beauty and Planet's shampoo and conditioner bar in the coconut scent found at Target Corp.
Link: https://www.target.com/p/love-beauty-and-planet-coconut-water-shampoo-conditioner-bar/-/A-76307050#lnk=sametab

Conditioner Bar:

I am also still in the process of finding a conditioner bar that I like. Thankfully, there are sample packs on Ethique.
Link: https://ethique.com/products/ethique-hair-sampler-a-collection-of-hair-products

Hand Soap:

Body Wash:

I found Ginger's Soap Collection at the Wisconsin State fair. I am currently using their unscented charcoal soap (pictured below) as body wash.
Link: https://www.abeautymust.com/collections/gingers-soap-collection/products/charcoal-soap

Hey Humans Natural Deodorant:

I use their rosewater ginger scent that comes in a paper tube (pictured below) so that I decrease my plastic waste. Bonus: It's only $5 at Target. So, you can save your money and the environment.
Found at: https://www.target.com/p/hey-humans-natural-deodorant-rosewater-ginger-2oz/-/A-80585810#lnk=sametab

Bamboo Toothbrush:

I use a bamboo toothbrush to decrease my plastic waste. If you get free toothbrushes from your dentist, feel free to donate them. I got these as a gift so I'm not sure about the brand. However, I will make a post in the future about the ones that are the best for the environment.

Reusable Facial Rounds:

I use two types of reusable cotton rounds: bamboo and makeup erasers.
The makeup eraser facial rounds (pictured below) I got as a gift and are a little more pricey. However, they are sold at https://www.ulta.com/p/sweater-weather-7-day-set-pimprod2027833

The bamboo facial rounds I got at my local low waste store, The Process, in Stevens Point, WI. They are a little more affordable and come with more rounds.
I encourage you to look for a local low waste, zero waste, CO-OP, or natural store in your area before ordering anything online to support local businesses. However, if you don't have access to a low waste store, here is the link to the product on their website: https://lowwaste.shop/products/cotton-rounds
I also got the bamboo holder (pictured below) for them at The Process. Here is the link for that: https://lowwaste.shop/products/bamboo-facial-rounds-holder

Biodegradable Hair Ties:

So many hair ties are dropped and never found again, creating an insane amount of waste. If you ever go to an amusement park or waterway you are sure to find some. The alternative is a biodegradable (I use terra ties pictured below) options so that you don't have to think about what wild animal could have your lost hair tie around its neck.
I got mine at my local low waste store, The Process, in Stevens Point, WI.
Link:https://lowwaste.shop/products/biodegradable-hair-ties

In the Kitchen

Bamboo Pan Scraper:

If you wash dishes by hand this thing is a life saver! It's made of bamboo so you can feel better about not scraping your pots and pans. Bonus: It's only $3 on The Process's website.
I got mine at my local low waste store, The Process, in Stevens Point, WI.
Link: https://lowwaste.shop/products/pots-and-pans-scraper

Dish soap block:

Soap blocks decrease the plastic waste created by bottled dish soap. I know you are probably attached to Dawn because of the cute duckling on the packaging. However, maybe you should consider going plastic free with your dishwashing.
I got mine at the zero waste store in the hometown. It's called The Glass Pantry in Milwaukee, WI. I use the lemon scent of the brand Meliora (pictured below) and have never had any issues not getting tough food stains off of my dishes with it.
Link: https://www.glasspantrymilwaukee.com/product/dish-soap-block/10?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true

Bamboo Dish Brush:

Reusable Sandwich Bags:

Plastic bags are a huge source of plastic waste. Instead of reaching straight for Ziploc bags, try getting reusable ones. Just throw them on the top rack of the dishwasher when they need to be cleaned. I got mine at Target and Grove Collaborative.
Gallon bag link: https://www.target.com/p/russbe-reusable-sandwich-bags-8ct/-/A-75668377#lnk=sametab
Sandwich bag link: https://www.target.com/p/reusable-bag-sandwich-8pk-up-38-up-8482/-/A-80959324#lnk=sametab
Grove variety pack: https://www.grove.co/catalog/product/reusable-bag-set-limited-edition-golden-hour?v=8617&attrsrc=18&attrpg=catalog&attrpos=10

Paper Sandwich Bags:

Another Ziploc bag alternative is paper sandwich bags.
I got mine at my local CO-OP in Stevens Point, WI. They do not have an online website. However, they are sold at some big box stores like Target if you do not have one near you.
Link: https://www.target.com/p/lunchskins-recyclable-sealable-paper-sandwich-bags-apple-50ct/-/A-53141979#lnk=sametab

Swedish Dish Cloth:

There are a few paper towel alternatives out there and I am excited to try more. My favorite so far is the Swedish dish cloth. It becomes stiff when it's dry and is top rack dishwasher safe. I got mine at The Glass Pantry in Milwaukee, WI. They do not sell their Swedish dish clothes on their website. However, they also sell them on The Process's website.
Link: https://lowwaste.shop/products/swedish-dish-cloth-white

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