Sustainable swaps make a difference because they help to reduce our environmental impact and promote sustainable living. By making small changes in our daily lives, we can collectively make a big impact on the planet. By choosing eco-friendly, reusable products instead of single-use items, you help to reduce the amount of waste and pollution generated, conserve resources, and protect the environment for future generations. Additionally, sustainable swaps can often save you money in the long run and promote a healthier lifestyle.
Here are 5 things I just don't buy anymore because the reusable option is an easy swap to make for me and it makes a considerable impact for the Earth.
Bottled water
Disposable plastic water bottles contribute to plastic pollution in our oceans and landfills. Single-use plastic bottles take 450 years to break down into microplastics - teeny tiny bits of plastic that still pollute our environment and leach toxins.
Reusable water bottles are a fun way to show off a bit of your personality with some fun flare while saving money. If you typically purchase a case of water once a week - you could save over $260 a year simply by going the reusable route.
Probably one of the most convincing reasons to opt for reusable bottles is that they're often made from materials that are free from harmful chemicals, such as BPA. This means that using a reusable water bottle can help you avoid exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Plus, lots of small businesses offer a variety of cute options.
K-cups
The convenience of using coffee pods is clear - pop in a pod and press a button to get perfectly brewed beverages in a snap. But once the java hits your cup, the pod is trash.
If you're looking for a sustainable way to brew your morning caffeine boost, consider a french press. Just add your favorite coffee and some hot water, wait a few minutes, and press the plunger down. You can now pour an excellent cup of coffee or tea made exactly to your temperature and strength preference.
Paper towels
Are you ready for this? It takes 12 trees and over 20,000 gallons of water to make one ton of disposable paper towels - something you're going to put into the trash. Americans are the leading consumer of paper towels, by an embarrassing margin.
The average American family uses 2 rolls of paper towels every week. By switching to reusable paper towels, you can save over $400 a year! That's money that can go toward a vacation fund, your mortgage, taking a class, a new hobby, paying bills, starting a business... you name it!
A single reusable paper towel can easily replace 10 rolls of traditional paper towels. My reusable paper towels are the only 2-ply, mom-made, zero-waste option. They're made to by super absorbent and extra durable.
If you've bought reusable paper towels in the past, but weren't sold on the absorbency - try washing and drying them a few times. Many brands use flannel and other cotton derivatives that get increase in absorbency over time.
Fast fashion
It can definitely be tempting to snag that $5 shirt from brands like Shein. But what you might not know is that 92 million tons of clothing ends up in landfills every single year. The primary reason is that fast fashion brands aren’t making clothes that are quality or made to last. They’re using low quality materials that are likely to end up misshapen, with snags, or simply falling apart. They’re cranking out clothes at ridiculous rates which impacts quality and often the employees are significantly underpaid. Next time you see a price that seems too low to be true - ask yourself a few questions about why that might be the case.
Simply buy less, shop second-hand, repair what you already have, and consider renting apparel for special occasions.
Cotton balls
Many cotton balls aren’t produced with cotton at all, but from synthesized materials. The chemicals used in the manufacturing of these cotton balls are straight up dangerous. They can pollute rivers, affect the balance of ecosystems, and even damage wildlife.
Since cotton balls are non-biodegradable and microorganisms can’t break them down, they’re nearly indestructible. Over the years of lying in the landfills, cotton balls release toxins and chemicals into the environment, making surrounding areas unsafe for people and animals alike.
Consider replacing cotton balls (or disposable cotton rounds) with a reusable option like these cotton squares. They’re great for washing your face, applying toner, and even have quite a few uses around the house too. I have customers who love using these as coasters or a small spot to set their spoon after stirring coffee - while waiting for the next cup to need a stir.