12 Surprising Items You Can Replace With Reusable Options

Many of our everyday purchases contribute to tons of unnecessary waste, from the straws in your daily iced coffee to the produce bags at the grocery store. More than 130 million metric tons of the plastics we buy are thrown in landfills after just one use. To help combat this growing problem, invest in some eco-conscious products that save on waste — and money. 

_{Prices are accurate as of September 6, 2024. Subject to change.}

Reusable Coffee Filters

There are so many ways to make your daily cup of coffee more sustainable. The best method is to switch to a reusable coffee filter instead of paper filters. There are various shapes and sizes on the market, making the switch easy for all kinds of brewers. Here are some of our favorite reusable coffee filters.

Reusable K-Cups

Keurigs are convenient tools, but K-Cups are wasteful and can get pricey. Instead, fill these reusable pods up with your favorite coffee grounds. Toss the old grounds and wash the cups by hand or in the dishwasher.

Cone Coffee Filter

If you use a standard coffee machine, you can ditch the single-use paper filters. This is a cone-shape reusable filter, but if your brewer uses a basket, Cusinart’s reusable filter is an option to consider.

Bamboo Utensils

The next time you order takeout, tell the restaurant to hold the plastic utensils. Invest in a portable set of bamboo utensils instead. Items made from bamboo are durable, biodegradable, eco-friendly replacements for disposable single-use plastics. (Pro Tip: Use bamboo utensils when throwing a party to cut down on waste even more.) Here are some of our favorite bamboo utensils.

Bamboo Travel Utensil Set

This set comes with a fork, spoon, knife, chopsticks, a straw, and a straw cleaner that all fit in a little pouch.

Bamboo Cutlery Set Two-Pack

For about the same price, you’ll get two sets of cutlery with this brand so you always have a clean set on hand — or you and a friend can eat without as much waste.

At-Home Carbonator

Carbonation machines are eco-friendly alternatives to buying plastic soda bottles. Brands like SodaStream sell sleek countertop products, allowing you to personalize your drink’s flavor and level of fizz. Best of all, these machines also come with reusable, dishwasher-safe bottles for storing your beverages. Here are some of our favorite at-home carbonators.

Philips Stainless Sparkling Water Maker

The Philips Sparkling Water Maker is a good starter option at an affordable price. It’s compact too, so it won’t take up too much counter space.

Water Bottles

There’s no need to buy cases of single-use water bottles anymore. Save your money and the waste and switch to a great reusable water bottle instead. They should last years and if you go with a stainless steel bottle, will keep your drink cold for hours, even in the sun. Here are some of our favorite water bottles.

Owala FreeSip Water Bottle

Owala FreeSips top our list of the best water bottles because they have a unique cap that allows you to sip from a straw or chug, and then the lid covers both openings and locks to prevent spills. The brand has fun colors with frequent new color drops.

Klean Kanteen TKWide Insulated Water Bottle With Chug Cap

Klean Kanteen bottles are great for outdoor lovers, because they’re known for durability. We like the leak-proof chug cap, but there are several lids to choose from to customize it to your needs.

Sustainable Sponges

Traditional sponges need to be tossed every two weeks to prevent bacteria. Instead of reaching for a sponge made from non-recyclable plastics, stock up on reusable microfiber sponges and biodegradable scrubbers that can be composted after use. Here are some of our favorite sustainable sponges.

Microfiber Sponges

These sponges have a soft microfiber side and a tougher, scrubby side that you can use for dishes or general house cleaning. Throw them in the washer and dryer after they get dirty. The brand says they should last around 400 washes.

Natural Kitchen Sponge

If you like a traditional kitchen sponge, try these Airnex sponges. When they’re ready to be replaced, separate the two halves — the spongy cellulose side should be composted, and the scrubby coconut husk side will biodegrade.

Reusable Straws

Swap out plastic straws for steel or silicone. They’re reusable, simple to wash, and some are even easy to carry in your bag or pocket to use wherever you are. Here are some of our favorite reusable straws.

Stainless Steel Drinking Straws

Steel straws should last years and are easy to clean with the included cleaning brush or in the dishwasher. This four-pack includes a pouch for putting in your bag, but if you want something even more portable, consider a collapsible straw with its own metal case. It extends up to 9-inches long

Silicone Drinking Straws

You might prefer silicone straws over steel. This 12-pack comes with straight and bent straws, plus a cleaning brush. This size is great for regular drinks, while the wider, 8-millimeter pack is best for thicker drinks like smoothies and milkshakes.

Beeswax Wrap

Beeswax wrap is a natural substitute for plastic wrap. Made of natural fabrics coated with beeswax, it is more breathable than plastic wrap, allowing food to stay fresh longer. Beeswax wrap can be molded to fit any shape and lasts up to a year before losing its stickiness. Here are some of our favorite beeswax.

Bee’s Wrap XXL Roll

Bee’s Wrap brand makes fantastic wraps that last a long time with proper care. The brand sells multi-packs, but this XXL roll can be cut to size for what you need.

Beeswax Wrap Nine-Pack

You can spend a little less and get a Nine-pack of pre-cut wraps with this brand. It includes five smalls, three mediums, and one large.

Stretch Wrap

We love beeswax wraps, but sometimes you want the stretchiness of traditional plastic wrap. It may last a bit longer than beeswax wrap too. Here is our favorite stretch wrap.

W&P Reusable Silicone Stretch Wrap

We’re fans of several W&P products, including the Reusable Silicone Stretch Wrap. You’ll get a set with three different sizes that stretches over containers or directly on food. It’s easy enough to wash too, though make sure you lay it flat to dry so it doesn’t stick to itself in the process. The brand’s circular stretch lids are another reusable to consider.

Reusable Storage Bags

Rather than use plastic sandwich bags, invest in reusable storage bags. While these are also often made of plastic, they’re durable enough to be washed (many are dishwasher-safe!), sealed, and reused over and over again. Here are our favorite reusable storage bags.

W&P 5-Piece Porter Silicone Reusable Bags

W&P’s Porter bags are pricey, but they’re made from thick silicone that should last through many uses and cleans — one Better Report staffer used hers to store food, but also to keep thumb tacks and nails in order and even those needle points haven’t punctured through. They’re dishwasher-, freezer-, and microwave-safe. 

(re)Zip Reusable Food Storage Bags

ReZip bags are affordable and durable. They’re also thinner than W&P bags, so they store better in tight drawers. They’re still dishwasher- and freezer-safe, though hand-washing is recommended.

Wool Dryer Balls

Wool dryer balls are a natural fabric softener that eliminates the need for dryer sheets. Some wool dryer balls are capable of lasting for more than 1,000 dryer cycles, which is equivalent to 10 years of laundry), making them a reliable and sustainable tool in the laundry room. Here are our favorite wool dryer balls.

Wool Dryer Balls Six-Pack

These affordable dryer balls are made from 100% wool and come in a large six-pack. With each one meant to last for about 1,000 loads of laundry, you’ll be set for a while.

Friendsheep Wool Dryer Balls

Friendsheep makes great wool dryer balls, pet toys, and other fun decor that some of our staff loves. They’re available in a ton of patterns too, like animals, Earth-print, and plain colors. The brand Wooly Heroes is another option with adorable designs.

Shopping Totes

While many supermarkets have eliminated plastic bags for packing your groceries, the small plastic bags in the produce aisle still generate waste. Invest in some sturdy reusable bags for all your grocery needs and replace these one-time options with mesh bags or nylon shopping totes to carry fresh fruit and vegetables. Here are some of our favorite bags.

Washable Large Storage Bin Tote Bags

These bin-style grocery bags are affordable for a multi-pack. They’re water-resistant and easy to clean and can double as a storage bin at home too.

Kind Bag Medium Reusable Bag

Kind Bag uses recycled materials to make all its bags and we particularly like the reusable shopping bags. They’re made from six plastic bottles each, and the company will take them back once they’re thoroughly worn to be recycled again. There’s great design options to choose from too.

Public Goods Mesh Grocery Bag

You don’t have to bag your produce separately, but if you like too, ditch those plastic baggies and go with a mesh one instead. Public Goods’ mesh bags are made from organic cotton and the brand also has a great mesh tote. There are a ton of affordable multi-packs on Amazon, too.

Beauty Items

Beauty products in general, aren’t meant to last forever. And while we’re not yet at a place where you can take your foundation off and use it again tomorrow, there are a few reusable switches you can make to save you money and help the environment. Here are some of our favorite reusable beauty items.

MakeUp Eraser Pro Classic

A MakeUp Eraser eliminates the need for single-use makeup wipes (which aren’t great for your skin anyway). A damp MakeUp eraser removes nearly all traces of product, including waterproof makeup, without the need for remover or a harsh washcloth. 

Dieux Forever Eye Mask Reusable Silicone Patches

For hydrating your undereyes, Dieux’s Forever Eye Mask is a silicone, reusable replacement for single-use under eye masks. Add moisturizer or whatever serum you love and put Dieux on top to maximize product absorption. 

LastObject LastSwab

If you use a Q-Tip every time you do your makeup to clean up edges, the LastSwab replaces up to 1,000 single-use swabs. Clean it with soap and water and put it back in the case — which you can keep in your bag for on-the-go touch-ups too.

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