Plastic Free Product Swaps + No Cost Alternatives!
Here is our master list of plastic free product swaps, giving you an option of other products to buy, and alternatives you can do cost-free with the items you already have in your home.
Have any other favourite swaps that were not mentioned here? Leave yours in the comments and have a Happy Plastic Free July!
IN THE KITCHEN
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- Single use food packaged in plastic:
⇨ Refillable staples like nudefood peanut butter.
⇨ Have a meal prep night and make your own sauces, condiments and grow your own food!
- Plastic straws:
⇨ No straw at all!
- Plastic wrap:
⇨ Beeswax wraps (or vegan reusable wrap options.)
⇨ Dishcloth secured with an elastic band.
- Paper napkins packaged in plastic:
⇨ Reusable cloth napkins.
⇨ Cut old clothing to make your own reusable napkins.
- Plastic dish brushes or sponges:
⇨ Wooden scrubby brush.
⇨ Used toothbrushes, any reusable cloth, citrus peels, or your hands!
ON THE GO
- Filling bulk items in plastic grocery store bags:
⇨ Bringing compostable or thick bulk bags that won’t break.
⇨ Bring containers or empty & clean food jars from home!
- Plastic produce bags:
⇨ Polyester-free, nylon-free, unbleached cotton mesh bags that help your produce breathe.
⇨ Use totes, your compost bags, reused plastic bags, or no bag for your produce at all!
GETTING CLEAN
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- Dryer sheets:
⇨ White vinegar on a washcloth.
- Dishwasher detergent:
⇨ Dishwasher tabs packaged in a water soluble pouch or Refillable liquid laundry detergent.
⇨ Fill your detergent cup with baking soda, fill a bowl with one-half cup of vinegar and place it on the top rack and/or add a juiced lemon to the top rack.
- Paper towel:
⇨ Plant based reusable and compostable paper towel rolls!
⇨ Cut old clothing and reuse as paper towels.
- Dish soap:
⇨ Refillable liquid dish soap or a solid dish soap block.
⇨ Use hot water, a juiced lemon, salt, baking soda and/or vinegar.
- Plastic spray bottle with cleaner:
⇨ DIY cleaner with vinegar, lemon peels and essential oils.
IN THE BATHROOM
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Plastic hairbrush:
⇨ In a pinch, your fingers make a great comb!
- Liquid hand soap in plastic bottles:
⇨ Make your own soap!
- Body lotion in plastic bottles:
⇨ Use coconut oil, vitamin E oil or cacao butter.
- Bottled shampoo:
⇨ DIY shampoo made with natural ingredients.
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Bottled conditioner:
⇨ Wash hair with cold water and use coconut oil to moisturize every week!
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Bottled shower gel:
⇨ Use the same homemade bar soap you use for hands! Add some essential oils for extra scent.
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Deodorant:
⇨ A DIY mixture of cacao butter, coconut oil, cornstarch, baking soda and essential oils!
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Bottled cleanser:
⇨ Play around with different homemade cleansers. Sometimes a wet washcloth is all it takes for some skin types!
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Disposable razor:
⇨ Metal reusable razor with platinum razor blades.
⇨ Make your own sugar wax and use with a cut up old t-shirt.
- Plastic toothbrush
⇨ Use a damp cloth to spread toothpaste on your pearly whites!
- Plastic coated floss
⇨ I saw a comment saying someone used their own hair... personally I'm going to stick with compostable floss but to each their own!
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Toothpaste in tubes
⇨ Get your toothbrush wet and dip it in some baking soda!
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Makeup remover wipes
⇨ Rub coconut oil on with your fingers.
- Q-tips
⇨ Reusable metal or silicone q-tip.
⇨ Use the corner of cloth towels or rags with your finger.
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Menstrual products
⇨ Cloth pads, leak proof underwear or menstrual cup.
- Lip balm
⇨ Lip balm in a compostable cardboard container or metal tin
⇨ Make your own with vitamin e oil, coconut oil and cacao butter.
- Clothing
⇨ Organic cotton, hemp, ethically-raised wool, and other natural fibres. and shop thrift shops.
⇨ Repair, make your own, and have clothing swaps with friends!