31 Products to Help You Use Less Plastic

Even with a global effort to curb plastic consumption, more than 700 million tons of plastic waste will be discarded over the next two decades, to the detriment of the planet. While some companies are giving single-use plastic a second life (as fashionable clothes and accessories from Everlane, for example), stopping the use of this plastic to begin with is important for the environment. Read on for products to help you use less plastic, from refillable deodorant to a compostable iPhone case.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: 30 Things You Should Stop Buying in 2021

$15 from By Humankind
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While coffee cups and straws get a lot of press, empty deodorant containers litter just as effectively as plastic straws. By Humankind sells natural, refillable deodorant that can be bought individually or arrive by subscription — just buy a one-time cartridge when you place your first order and every future order comes packaged in biodegradable paper. Choose from a range of scents, including an unscented option.

Related: 15 Things Not to Buy in a Grocery Store

$15 from Amazon
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This durable and sustainable alternative to keep stored food fresh makes it easy to cut plastic out of your life. Made of organic cotton infused with sustainably harvested beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin, these reusable wraps hold their shape when covering a bowl, or with oddly shaped items such as bread or cheese inside. They come three to a pack. Bonus: The company is woman-owned and a certified B corporation, a term for businesses that pursue profit while acting in the public interest.

Related: 25 Ways to Stop Wasting Food and Save Money

$28 from Amazon
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This thermos, offered in two sizes and a range of colors, is stainless steel and has vacuum insulation to keep beverages (or soups — why limit yourself?) hot or cold or hours. A wide mouth accommodates even full-size ice cubes, and most impressively, the Zojirushi comes with a five-year warranty on heat retention. One reviewer raves: "Absolutely amazed how well this works!"

$7 from Package Free
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This soft, silicone straw, which remains at room temperature even if used to sip hot coffee, can be folded up while you're on the go and is dishwasher safe. Once it reaches the end of its life, simply burn it. You'll be left with 100% biodegradable ash.

$20 and up from Package Free
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With precision cuts around speakers, charger, volume, and power buttons, these cases protect iPhones in a range of sizes. But they're also easier on the planet. They will last as long as you need but are also 100% compostable. They come in eight colors.

$10 from Package Free
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This body bar creates a "medium-bodied lather" and includes moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter and olive oil. Bonus points for being a replacement for body soap and shaving cream.

$15 from Amazon
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This is one of those times an eco-friendly option is also the more aesthetically pleasing one. This three-piece set of natural wood hairbrush and combs will look stylish on a dresser and help save the planet.

Related: 26 Companies That Are Doing Good Deeds With Your Dollars

$25 from Net Zero Company
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These durable, machine-washable muslin bags promise to keep ingredients fresh while keeping waste to a minimum, whether they hold produce, bulk items, or anything in between. They come in a range of sizes, from a 6- by 9-inch "fun" size to a 14- by 18-inch "party" size, for various grocery needs, with tare weight on each bag to make it easier for cashiers.

Related: 50 Food Storage Tips to Help Cut Waste

$14 from Package Free
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These spearmint-flavored tablets, meant to be dissolved in water for mouthwash, are free of fluoride, glycerin, and the foaming agent sodium lauryl sulphate, meaning they'll refresh your mouth while restoring a healthy pH balance. Plus they're lightweight (great for travel) and compostable if they're not used.

$14 from Package Free
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This vegan multipurpose balm can be used for lips, hands, feet, and elsewhere. Olive oil and coconut oil moisturize, while chamomile oil and myrrh oil help rejuvenate skin. The paper tube it comes in is compostable.

Related: 10 Cheap Ways to Keep Your Skin Healthy This Winter

$11 and up from Lush
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These concentrated little bars can outpace two to three bottles of shampoo, lasting up to 80 washes. You can shop by effect you want for hair, including boosting its volume, softening it, and one "mane-taming" it.

Related: 10 Hair Myths You Should Get Out of Your Head

$20 from Amazon
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These plant-based toothbrushes can be used as long as a plastic toothbrush and are USDA certified biobased. Sets for four can be bought in adult and kid sizes, or a mix of both.

$12 from Package Free
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This floss is made from mulberry silk floss and coated in candelilla wax scented with peppermint essential oil. The original packaging comes with a reusable glass container and two spools; future orders can be placed individually or on a subscription basis.

$10 from Package Free
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Tooth powder may feel delightfully old-school, but it's a great way to reduce plastic waste. Simply dip a toothbrush into the powder (soft bristles are recommended), then brush and rinse well. It comes in two styles — activated charcoal and English peppermint.

$19 from Amazon
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If you use disposable razors, it's fairly painless to switch over to a razor with disposable blades. You'll likely get a closer shave and, while it probably won't be much cheaper, it also won't be much more expensive. This safety razor promises a "smooth and close shave" and a guarantee that if you don't like it for any reason, you can ask for a refund.

$80 from Amazon
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Why buy juice in plastic bottles when you could make the fresh stuff at home and store it in reusable containers? This heavy-duty compact juice fountain is dishwasher-safe and promises the freshest juice with shortened prep times, thanks to its 3-inch, extra-wide chute feed that lets whole fruits and vegetables be fed without first chopping them.

Related: 24 Kitchen Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed

$27 from Amazon
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These durable, airtight bottles have wide mouths that make them easier to fill and drink from. Plus, they're dishwasher safe and fit easily into a backpack or larger purse.

$13 from Amazon
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This natural sea wool sponge harvested from the Gulf of Mexico promises softness and antibacterial properties. To refresh it periodically, soak it in a solution of vinegar and water for an hour, then leave it to air dry.

$15 from Amazon
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We all know we should avoid plastic bags at the grocery store, and buying a five-pack of these large, durable bags makes that easier. They come in a range of colors, are machine washable, and have a one-year no-rip guarantee.

$100 from Amazon
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Carrying around a reusable water bottle is great when you know you can find clean water, but that's not always a given if you're hiking or traveling. This water purifier disguised as a thermos promises to remove pathogens from water in as little as eight seconds. Simply fill from whatever water source you've got, press, and drink.

Related: The Best Water Filters

$30 and up from Amazon
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These unisex cloth diapers are adjustable, washable, and reusable. They're suitable for babies and toddlers and, in the long run, are much less expensive than buying disposables.

$26 from Amazon
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You're going out to grab dinner, and you don't want to waste food or single-use plastic packaging for leftovers. With a stash of compostable clamshell containers, you don't have to. Just smile and say, "I don't need a container."

$20 from Amazon
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Making your own cleaning products may sound intimidating, but there are plenty of simple recipes using ingredients from your pantry. Once you've whipped up your cleaners, store them in these glass spray bottles, which have UV protection to keep essential oils from degrading.

Related: 20 Cleaning Products That Are a Complete Waste of Money

$10 and up from Amazon
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These storage bags preserve freshness with a double-lock zipper that keeps them airtight and leakproof use after use, meaning you're not throwing out a plastic baggie every time you make a sandwich or store leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer.

$20 from Amazon
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While napkins are obviously not made with plastic, they still can be wasteful — and are often sold in plastic packaging. Instead, try these linen, machine-washable napkins that come in various colors.

Related: Meaningful and Unique Gifts That Give Back

$20 from Amazon
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Picking up after a dog is important, but so is taking care of the planet. These biobags make it possible to do both — they're durable enough to do the job, but biodegradable once they've served their purpose.

Related: 19 Things You Never Have to Buy Your Pet

$12 from Package Free
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Every year, around 25.5 billion cotton swabs are made and thrown away in this country, according to Package Free. Opt for this basic, washable ear swab instead — it promises to last up to 1,000 uses and has a biodegradable case, meaning you can bring it along wherever you go.

Related: Q-tips and Other Brand Names We Use for Everyday Products

$17 from Crate & Barrel
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Instead of buying pantry staples in plastic packaging, see which stores in your community offer the option to shop in bulk. Bring reusable bags and, once you get home, store your finds in clear glass jars that are elegant and, because they let you find the staples you're looking for easily, practical.

Related: 50 Ways to Save Money Shopping in Bulk

$29 from Amazon
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Avoid the panicky "Oh, no, do I have a tampon?" feeling. With a silicone menstrual cup, you'll never have to rush to the store for sanitary products — it's reusable for up to 10 years and can be worn for up to 12 hours.

$6 from Package Free
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Tissues themselves may not entail plastic waste, but their packaging does. Instead, try an old-fashioned handkerchief. This simple white one is made from organic cotton and is machine washable.

$13 from Amazon
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Instead of a plastic lighter, go old school and keep a box of matches around. These classic Diamond Strike on Box Matches come with 300 matches per box.