40 Eco-Friendly Switches: A Guide to Easy Sustainable Swaps

Our daily choices have a lasting impact on the planet, often in ways we don’t immediately see. There is no such thing as “away” when you're talking about waste. Choosing eco-friendly alternatives to everyday products is one of the simplest ways to reduce waste and live sustainably. Every small change—whether it’s swapping single-use plastics for reusable items or making smarter choices in how we store food—adds up to make a difference. These eco-friendly switches are easy to integrate into their daily routine. 

So many of our daily habits are single use and contribute to plastic pollution. We live in a world of convenience where we think everything is disposable. But there are so many new sustainable options that can help you make a huge difference. For my house, we noticed that we had to take out less trash. Best of all, we save money by avoiding purchasing single-use products. Eco friendly switches can help you reduce your carbon footprint, use less energy by generating less waste, and will save you money in the long run. We've focused these swaps on food and the kitchen, but there are so many more ways you can reduce your environmental impact and work towards a sustainable lifestyle. 

Start with the Kitchen: The Heart of Sustainable Living

The kitchen is where many of our wasteful habits begin, but it’s also where impactful change is easiest. Instead of relying on single-use plastics like cling wrap and baggies, try beeswax wraps or silicone storage bags. Glass jars and containers can replace plastic ones, offering a durable, eco-friendly alternative. For leftovers, reusable silicone lids or fabric bowl covers are great substitutes for disposable options. These changes reduce the waste generated from single-use items and reduce exposure to harmful chemicals like BPA.

Swapping disposable coffee pods or filters for a metal mesh coffee filter is another simple change that reduces waste. By prioritizing quality, reusable items, you can save money over time and significantly lower your environmental footprint. 

Eco Friendly Switches for Food Storage

Reevaluate your approach to food storage to reduce food waste. Instead of foil or plastic wrap, use reusable silicone baking mats or beeswax wraps. Store dry goods in mason jars, which are both practical and stylish. When prepping meals, rely on stainless steel or glass containers that can go from the fridge to the oven without wasteful disposables. There are so many small changes that can have a positive impact towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Here are a few to get you started:

• Eco Friendly Meal Prep Containers
  • Switch to glass storage containers for leftovers.
• Mason Jars
  • Use mason jars to store dry goods like rice, grains, and nuts. Check out these cap swaps to make your jars multipurpose!
• Silicone Baking Mats
  • Replace disposable aluminum foil or parchment paper with reusable silicone baking mats.
• Stainless steel Bento boxes for lunch
  • Opt for stainless steel lunch boxes for meal prep and takeaways.
• Reusable ice cube trays
  • Use reusable ice cube trays made of silicone.
• Washable Lid Covers
  • Try silicone bowl covers as a washable alternative to plastic lids.
• Beeswax Wraps
  • Use beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap.
• Silicone Bags
  • Replace single-use plastic bags with reusable bags – silicone ones work great!
    

​Sustainable Swaps for Cutlery and Utensils

​One of the Easiest eco-friendly switches you can make is around cutlery and utensils. These are a few sustainable choices you can make that rely on using natural materials rather than ones derived from fossil fuels. The good news is there are so many reusable options. You'll be sure to find something on this list that works for you and your budget. 

• Reuse what you have!
  • While this may seem like the obvious choice, bring your own utensils with you when you go to work. It avoids having to use plastic cutlery.
• Bamboo Cutlery
  • Switch to bamboo cutlery for picnics and travel instead of disposable ones.
• Stainless Steel Strainer For Tea
  • Use a stainless steel or silicone strainer instead of single-use tea bags.
• Wooden Spatulas
  • Switch to durable cooking utensils instead of cheap plastic ones.
• Invest in a Great Chef's Knife
  • Invest in a durable, eco-friendly chef’s knife to reduce the need for replacements. My Personal favorite are Wusthof's, which will last for decades.
• Reusable Chopsticks
  • Use reusable chopsticks made from sustainable materials like bamboo or recycled material.
• Wooden Cutting boards
  • Swap plastic cutting boards for long-lasting wooden cutting boards.
• Silicone baking cups
  • Use silicone baking cups instead of paper cupcake liners.

---

Eco-Friendly Grocery Shopping

Your sustainable journey continues when you head to the grocery store. Ditch plastic grocery and produce bags for reusable fabric totes and mesh produce bags. Bulk shopping can further reduce waste—bring your own jars or containers for items like grains, spices, and nuts. For those who enjoy fresh, seasonal produce, joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program connects you directly with local farmers while reducing packaging waste.

• Reusable Shopping Bags
  • Bring reusable shopping bags instead of plastic ones.
• Reusable Produce Bags
  • Use reusable produce bags for fruits and vegetables.
• Shop in Bulk
  • Opt for bulk shopping containers and take your own jars or bags.
• Reusable Egg Cartons
  • Reuse your egg cartons to avoid single-use packaging.
• Shop Local
  • Shop at farmers' markets or local co-ops to reduce packaging waste.
• Reduce Packaging Waste
  • Choose products with minimal or compostable packaging when buying packaged goods.
• Fight Food Waste
  • One of my favorite ways to reduce food waste is to shop the discount produce rack. These are typically slightly bruised or damaged, but they will save you money and fight food waste
• Reduce Trips with a Cart
  • Bring a trolley basket or crate for larger grocery hauls to reduce bags

Other Sustainable Kitchen Swaps

  Some of these sustainable alternatives don't have a home, so here are a few ways to incorporate positive change into your daily life. These eco-friendly products are affordable and easy to integrate into your routine. 

• Reusable Coffee Filter
  • Replace disposable coffee filters with a reusable metal mesh filter.
• Eco-friendly Sponges & Dish Scrubbers
  • Switch to compostable dish scrubbers made from natural materials like coconut fibers.
• Cast Iron Skillet
  • Use a cast iron skillet instead of non-stick pans with chemical coatings.
• Use Washable Napkins
  • One of the best eco-friendly switches we've made is to replace our napkins with reusable napkins. You can ditch the paper towel napkins and upgrade to what feels like a fancy alternative but actually saves you money.
• Use a Water Filter
  • Use a water filter pitcher instead of buying plastic water bottles. There are so many different kinds, from pitchers to refrigerator filters or even under-the-sink filters. 
• Compost Bin
  • Try a compost bin to dispose of kitchen scraps sustainably. If you're new to composting, check out our article here to learn how to start in a small space. 
• Reusable water bottles
  • Use a stainless steel water bottle instead of plastic bottles. You can find these almost everywhere, but my favorite one is the Simple Modern. It's lasted me over six years!
• Soap in Bulk
  • Replace single-use dish soap bottles with dish soap bars or bulk refills.
• Reusable Straws
  • Replace plastic straws with reusable straws.
• Reusable Coffee Cup
  • Invest in a reusable coffee cup. Most coffee shops accept them now, and they may even give you a discount for not having to use one of their cups. 

---

Small Swaps with Big Impact

Eco-friendly switches don’t have to be overwhelming. Replace paper towels with cloth napkins, which are easy to wash and reuse. For cleaning, try compostable dish scrubbers or reusable sponge cloths made from biodegradable materials. Switching to wool dryer balls instead of single-use dryer sheets not only reduces waste but also saves energy by cutting drying time.

Eco Friendly Switches for the Home    

• Cleaning Rags
  • Reduce your dependence on paper towels by using reusable rags. Wash them in your washing machine to get them clean again. If you can't afford rags, just cut up an old towel or tee shirt. But if you can, use terry cloth as the microfiber ones will
• Wool Dryer Balls
  • Use wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets. These help you reduce the static in your laundry and actually help you dry your clothes better. 
• Natural Laundry Detergent
  • Switch to natural laundry detergent that uses natural ingredients. I like Earth Breeze because they don't have any plastic in their packaging!
• DIY Cleaners
  • Use DIY Cleaners to Reduce Plastic Waste. Check out our post on how to make a cleaner from orange peels!
• Reduce Energy Usage
  • Replace incandescent bulbs with LED light bulbs. Turn off the lights when you can!
• Smart Thermostat
  • Switch to a smart thermostat. These can help you adjust the temperatures in your home to help you save on energy costs while you're not home. You can also just manually adjust your temperatures if you remember!
• Reusable Glass Bottles and Jars
  • Switch to reusable glass bottles in your cleaning products, to store cotton pads, and soap dispensers. There are plenty of other materials that work like ceramic, but glass are easily the most affordable. 

Personal Care Sustainable Swaps

While it's not directly related to the kitchen, good hygiene is important to any kitchen. Here are some of my favorite eco-friendly swaps you can test our 

• Safety Razor
  • Switch to a safety razor to reduce plastic in your routine. Check out our full post here on why we love LEAF Shave razors. 
• Menstrual Cups
  • A great way to reduce waste is to try a menstrual cup instead of disposable feminine products. Many have been shown now to have toxic chemicals and heavy metals which can then leach into your body. 
• Use a Bidet
  • A bidet will help you reduce the amount of toilet paper you use, and it helps you feel cleaner. If you're worried about the water used, the bidet takes water from the tank, so it lessens the amount used to flush. Also, toilet paper uses a ton of water in processing, so you're actually saving on water!
• Bamboo Toothbrushes
  • Replace your plastic toothbrush with bamboo toothbrushes.
• Biodegradable body wash
  • Choose natural body wash and personal care products.
• Bamboo Toilet Paper
  • This is one of the easiest switches you can make. Bamboo grows quickly so it's a great way to make use of an invasive species.

---

Why Eco Friendly Switches Matters

Every sustainable choice you make in the kitchen contributes to a healthier planet. Swapping disposable items for reusable alternatives, buying smarter, and reducing waste might seem like small steps, but their impact is profound. These choices inspire others to rethink their habits, creating a ripple effect that drives larger change.

The journey to a greener kitchen starts with just one swap. Which one will you try today?

---

This post contains affiliate links, in which through your purchase, I may earn a small commission. This helps fund the site and ensure we can keep providing you great recipes and sustainability information. I have tested every product, so I stand behind these choices.