31 Products to Help You Use Less Plastic

beeswax wrappers

Amazon

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beeswax wrappers
Amazon

Plastic Surgery

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

By Humankind Refillable Deodorant
By Humankind

By Humankind Refillable Deodorant

$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

Beeswax Wrap
Amazon

Beeswax Wrap

$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

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug
Amazon

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug

$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!"

Koffie Straw
Package Free

Koffie Straw

$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.

Biodegradable iPhone Case 11
Package Free

Biodegradable iPhone Case

$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.

Package-Free Vegan Amber Ale Shave & Body Bar
Package Free

Package-Free Vegan Amber Ale Shave & Body Bar

$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.

Natural Wood Hair Brush with Wooden Bristles
Amazon
Reusable Produce Bags
Net Zero Company

Reusable Produce Bags

$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

Mouthwash Tablets
Package Free

Mouthwash Tablets

$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.

Lip Repair Balm
Package Free
Lush Shampoo Bars
Lush

Lush Shampoo Bars

$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

Bamboo Toothbrushes
Amazon

Bamboo Toothbrushes

$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.

Refillable Dental Floss
Package Free

Refillable Dental Floss

$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.

Tooth Powder
Package Free

Tooth Powder

$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.

Long-Handled Double Edge Safety Razor
Amazon

Long-Handled Double Edge Safety Razor

$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.

Breville Compact Juice Extractor
Amazon

Breville Compact Juice Extractor

$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

All About Juicing Clear Glass Water Bottles
Amazon

All About Juicing Clear Glass Water Bottles

$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.

Natural Sea Wool Sponge
Amazon

Natural Sea Wool Sponge

$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.

BeeGreen Cute Fishes 5 Pack Reusable Grocery Bags
Amazon

Grocery Bags

$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.

Grayl Geopress Water Purifier
Amazon

Grayl Geopress Water Purifier

$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

Alvababy Baby Cloth Diapers
Amazon

Alvababy Baby Cloth Diapers

$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.

Compostable Clamshell Takeout Food Containers
Amazon

Compostable Clamshell Takeout Food Containers

$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."

Empty Amber Glass Spray Bottles with Labels
Amazon
Recyclable Food Storage Bags
Amazon

Recyclable Food Storage Bags

$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.

Ruvanti Kitchen Cloth Napkins
Amazon
Biodegradable Dog Waste Bags
Amazon

Biodegradable Dog Waste Bags

$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

Reusable Ear Swab
Package Free
Heritage Hill Glass Jar with Lid
Crate & Barrel
Saalt
Amazon

Saalt Menstrual Cup

$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.

Organic Hankie
Package Free

Organic Hankie

$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.

Diamond Strike on Box Matches - 3 Pack
Amazon

Diamond Strike on Box Matches

$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.