10 easy sustainable swaps

Trying our best to take care of the planet shouldn't be out of reach, but it often is. Things can be expensive, difficult to make yourself, or you might not have access to sustainable options in your local city. So if you're new to sustainable living and aren't sure where to start, here are some easy sustainable swaps all around the 10 dollar range if you're looking for something affordable yet straightforward enough to implement in your life.

This video is also sponsored by MightyNest. Find more details at the bottom of this post to see how you can get your first sustainable fix for just $3.

10 easy sustainable swaps

Check out the following 10 sustainable swaps for ideas on how you can make your everyday lifestyle a bit more eco-friendly. The swaps are grouped by category to make things a little easier, and you can find many of these swaps in my shop linked here or more posts on sustainable swaps on this page.

Sustainable swaps for the kitchen

Bee's wrap

Use bee’s wrap as an alternative to single-use plastic wrap - great for casserole dishes, half-cut produce, sandwiches, or leftovers

Made from all-natural and compostable materials, and can easily be rejuvenated by melted beeswax pellets on top in the oven as a simple DIY

You can keep things super simple by putting a pot or pan lid on top of any container, use an old jar, or placing a plate right on top of a bowl

Stasher bag

Silicone stasher bags are great for various food applications, from sous vide to freezing, and keep chopped up foods super fresh if you're looking to do some meal prep

Lightweight for on the go, if you need an alternative to single-use plastic Ziploc bags are a much healthier alternative to using plastic

Check out my zero waste kitchen swaps guide for more tips and tricks

Sustainable swaps for cleaning

All-purpose cleaner

All-purpose cleaner can be made with a 50:50 blend of water and vinegar and a bit of essential oils

There are options like Meliora's all-purpose cleaner - get refill tablets that dissolve in warm water and spray away for a clean surface

Swedish dishcloth

If you want to be less wasteful with paper towels, the Swedish dishcloths are a great reusable, sustainable alternative

They can be washed in the washing machine or dishwasher and last for months, and are completely compostable at the end of life (made of cellulose and cotton)

Alternatively, you can use an old t-shirt, cut it up, and use that as a rag

Compostable sponge

Most cleaning tools and sponges are made of plastics, which shed small microplastics into our drains and water streams

Consider compostable scrubbers and sponges, which are made of natural materials such as wood, walnut, or loofah

Check this post if you’re interested in my sustainable cleaning routine

Sustainable swaps for the bathroom

Compostable lip balm

Switch from plastic-packaged lip balms and choose ones in paper, and consider supporting small, local makers that create lip balms

Shampoo bar

A great alternative to packaged shampoo without the plastic packaging

Lather up with water in the palm or rub directly to the scalp

Most shampoo and conditioner bars are concentrated and will last for a similar amount of time as regular liquid shampoo or conditioner

Bar soap

Try out hand, facial, body, shaving, dish soap, and even laundry stain bars that come in plastic-free, or paper-based packaging

Sisal cloth

A sisal shower mitt or cloth is an excellent alternative to plastic exfoliants - be sure to opt for an entirely natural and compostable cloth without any synthetic materials

A loofah is another great natural option

Bamboo toothbrush

The bamboo toothbrush is an easy swap to help reduce plastic in your bathroom - plastic toothbrushes take thousands of years to degrade

If the bristles aren't compostable, be sure to pluck them out before composting the handle - or better, reuse them for cleaning purposes

Get more ideas from my latest zero waste bathroom routine

About MightyNest

MightyNest provides eco-friendly swaps to help members build more sustainable habits. Each month, you can expect one new swap on your doorstep in minimal, recyclable packaging, with tips and tricks on how to use the item in your current routine. If you have a few sustainable swaps already, you can also set specific preferences to tailor your monthly Fix to meet your needs and goals, so you're always sent something functional and worth trying. Those who sign up with the link here or use the code SIMPLY will receive their first Fix for $3 instead of the regular $11 monthly membership - you'll receive Bee's Wrap, which is the first swap of this post!