1. Ditch Paper Towels for Reusable Cloths
Paper towels are the silent budget killers of the kitchen. They seem cheap, but over time, you can spend hundreds of dollars a year on something you literally throw away. Switching to reusable cloths or “unpaper towels” is a one-time investment that pays off fast.
Not only are reusable cloths better for the environment, but they’re also more effective for cleaning. You can wash and reuse them hundreds of times, reducing household waste and trips to the store. Most reusable towels are made from natural fibers, making them compostable when worn out. According to the NRDC, Americans use more than 13 billion pounds of paper towels every year.
2. Switch to Refillable Cleaning Products
Single-use plastic bottles from cleaning supplies pile up fast. The greener (and cheaper) choice? Refillable or concentrated cleaning products. Brands like Blueland, Grove Collaborative, and CleanCult offer reusable bottles and dissolvable tablets or refills that last for months.
You get the same powerful clean without all the plastic waste. It’s an easy routine swap: just drop a tablet in water or pour in a refill. Many of these products are also plant-based and non-toxic, meaning fewer harsh chemicals in your home. According to the EPA, using refillable packaging can reduce plastic use by up to 70%.
3. Trade Ziplock Bags for Silicone Storage Bags
Ziplock bags are kitchen MVPs, until you realize how fast they add up in waste and cost. Enter silicone storage bags: durable, reusable, and just as versatile. They seal tight, hold hot or cold items, and go right in the dishwasher after use.
One silicone bag can replace hundreds of single-use plastic bags, saving you money in the long run and cutting down on plastic pollution. They’re also great for freezer storage, packed lunches, and even sous vide cooking. If you use two disposable bags a day, that’s over 700 per year.
4. Replace Dryer Sheets with Wool Dryer Balls
Dryer sheets might smell nice, but they’re full of synthetic chemicals and end up in the trash after one use. Wool dryer balls, on the other hand, are a sustainable laundry swap that reduces waste and speeds up drying time.
Made from natural wool, these balls help soften clothes, reduce static, and can be reused for over 1,000 loads. They also help improve air circulation in the dryer, which means your clothes dry faster and your energy bill drops. According to Energy Star, shortening dryer time by just 10 minutes per load can save over $100 per year.
5. Say Goodbye to Bottled Water with a Home Filter
If you’re still buying bottled water, you’re spending way more than you need to. A high-quality water filter can turn your tap water into clean, safe drinking water, without the plastic waste or price tag of bottled brands.
Systems like Brita, PUR, or even under-sink reverse osmosis filters give you long-term savings and peace of mind. Bottled water can cost up to 2,000 times more than tap, and the plastic bottles often end up in landfills or oceans. Americans consumed nearly 15 billion gallons of bottled water in 2022.
6. Upgrade to LED Light Bulbs
If you’re still using incandescent bulbs, you’re missing out on major savings. LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy and last 25 times longer. That’s fewer trips to the store and lower electric bills year-round.
Swapping out just five bulbs can save you around $75 annually, according to the Department of Energy. LEDs are now available in warm, natural tones and dimmable versions, so you don’t have to sacrifice cozy lighting for efficiency. Plus, they don’t contain mercury like compact fluorescents, making them safer for your home and the environment.
7. Go Digital with Bills and Receipts
Paper receipts and bills seem harmless, until you realize how much waste they generate. Going digital saves trees, reduces clutter, and keeps your personal info more secure. Most banks, utilities, and retailers now offer paperless options by default.
Digital records are also easier to organize and access when you need them. You’ll spend less time shuffling through drawers and more time actually finding what you’re looking for. Plus, the thermal paper used in most receipts isn’t recyclable and often contains BPA, a known endocrine disruptor.
8. Opt for a Safety Razor Instead of Disposables
Disposable razors are a landfill nightmare. They’re hard to recycle and built to be tossed after just a few uses. A safety razor, though, is a lifelong tool. It uses a single stainless steel blade you can recycle after each use.
Though the upfront cost is higher, the blades are incredibly cheap, and you’ll never run out of a sharp edge when you need one. Many users also find safety razors offer a closer, smoother shave with less irritation. It’s a throwback solution that feels surprisingly modern.
9. Use Compostable Trash Bags
Traditional plastic trash bags take hundreds of years to break down, and many end up in oceans or landfills. Compostable bags made from plant starch or PLA offer an earth-friendly alternative that decomposes much faster.
These bags are great for collecting food scraps or even your regular trash, especially if you’re already minimizing waste. Brands like BioBag and Green Earth make options that are ASTM D6400 certified, meaning they’re tested for true compostability in industrial settings.
10. Carry a Foldable Tote Everywhere
We’ve all been caught without a bag and ended up using plastic. The solution? Keep a foldable, reusable tote in your purse, car, or pocket. These little lifesavers unfold in seconds and are strong enough to hold groceries, gym gear, or takeout.
Many totes weigh next to nothing and come in stylish designs. Over time, you’ll avoid hundreds of plastic bags and never pay that annoying store fee again. It’s a small habit that builds into a big lifestyle shift.
11. Choose a French Press Over a Coffee Pod Machine
Single-use coffee pods are convenient but incredibly wasteful. Most aren’t recyclable, and even the ones that are often don’t make it through the recycling process. A French press, on the other hand, is simple, sleek, and totally waste-free.
It also gives you more control over your brew, no plastic flavor, just rich coffee. You can compost the grounds and skip the extra packaging altogether. And unlike some machines, it doesn’t use electricity, making it a double win for low-energy, low-waste living.