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You will be shocked by how much money you save with just these sustainable alternatives alone. I think one of the best parts to sustainable living is that it also makes your budget more sustainable because you reuse items so much and don’t have to buy new so often.
I don’t know about you but only having to buy an item once rather than every grocery trip is a game changer for my wallet and my free time!
These swaps are a great place to start if you are new to sustainable living and are just looking for simple sustainable alternatives for everyday items. Personally, I have found the most sustainable success on my low waste journey by starting with swaps for items I use frequently. I suggest starting with a few swaps at a time so you know what you like and how each product works. Sometimes there can be a slight learning curve when it comes to zero waste products but they do save you time and money in the long run so to me the learning curve is a simple price to pay.
I hope this list of sustainable alternatives gives you inspiration as you move forward on your eco friendly living journey!
This post is all about the best sustainable alternatives that will save you money.
The Best Sustainable Swaps That Will Save You Money
Paper Towels
Just use a dish towel! Really, paper towels are so outdated. Of course for some tasks you need a disposable paper towel but for most kitchen things, a good ol fashioned dish rag will work.
Keep a stack of towels in a basket on your counter that way they are always around. I have a bin under my sink where I throw the used ones.
The best part is that you only have to buy a nice set of kitchen towles once and you’re set! For cleaning I like to use cut up towels or old t shirts.
Concentrated Soap
Dr. Bronners castille soap is honestly the best soap out there. I love getting the lavender scent and diluting it for dishes, laundry or cleaning. It is made with earth friendly ingredients and a little bit goes a long way which means you will save money!
{RECOMMENDED POST: 9 Effective Zero Waste Dish Soap Products For Your Sustainable Kitchen }
Ziploc Bags
Plastic bags either in the ziploc form or takeaway bag form are so unnecessary when products like Stasher bags exist!
You can minimize a ton of your kitchen’s plastic usage by investing in some stasher bags. Stashers are silicone bags that you can store snacks, leftovers or your lunch in! Then you just wash them out and reuse them.
I have saved a ton of money over the years by just relying on these reusable bags. This is a great swap too if you’re a parent and pack your kids lunches with tons of ziploc bags!
Bidet
So hear me out, a bidet will have a bit of a learning curve but think of all the toilet paper you can save!
Reusable Razors
Reusable razors can be a bit intimidating to get started with using but once you get the hang of them they are really easy and convenient.
I personally watched a youtube video to learn more about how to shave with them, clean them and maintain them so they last a while.
All you have to pay for is the disposable blades (which are pretty cheap!) and you never have to buy a razor again!
Cotton Swabs
This one might make some squeamish but yes, there are reusable cotton swabs! Most are made from silicone and you can use them and then wash them off. Once you invest in getting a set for yourself and each of your family members you really won’t need to buy disposable cotton swabs again!
Makeup Remover Pads
A simple wash cloth or these makeup rounds can save some serious waste in your bathroom! Instead of throwing out a wipe every night you can just keep a set of reusable makeup remover pads in your bathrooms and wash them in your regular laundry every week. I suggest keeping them in a little mesh bag so that you don’t lose them.
{RECOMMENDED POST: 10 Affordable Sustainable Skincare Brands You Need to Know About}
Reusable Water Bottle
This swap may seem basic because a lot of us have a favorite water bottle at this point but I still felt like putting it on the list!
Not to sound dramatic but finding a good quality water bottle can do wonders for your health, budget and the environment!
Dishware You Love
Using disposable plates, cups and cutlery can be so convenient for parties but it’s kind of a waste!
Check out your local thrift store for extra dishware. There is always lots of cute stuff or even just basic stuff that will get the job done.
What are some of your favorite sustainable alternatives? Do you have any that I didn’t list? I would love to hear in the comments below to get some new ideas!
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Stay well,
Maggie
This post is all about the best sustainable alternatives that will save you money.
Other posts you may like:
7 Amazing Zero Waste Kitchen Must Haves for A Plastic Free Home
7 Incredibly Helpful Zero Waste Apps to Support Your Sustainable Lifestyle Goals
10 Popular Places You Can Thrift Clothes Online
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