In my previous post, I talked about my goal to switch to all natural products by December 31st, 2016, and the different recipes that worked for replacing toxic, store-bought products. The second piece of the zero waste puzzle is figuring out what are the best alternatives to disposable products. This can involve a lot of research, so I’m happy to share my list of alternatives with anyone and everyone.
I may receive a commission if you purchase something linked in this post. See more details here.
I’m nowhere close to replacing all of my plastic and disposable products for reusable products, but I’ll be adding to this master list as I go!
In order to work towards a zero waste lifestyle, you have to start on your own level. It’s like training for a marathon—if you’ve never ran a 5K before, you’re not going to bust out a 12 mile run the first day of training. By taking small steps and getting just 1% better every day you will make a huge impact in the long run.
Below are a few overall tips to follow when swapping your disposable products for natural, zero waste alternatives:
- If you already have (plastic) versions of these items, use them! No sense in buying something new and tossing out the thing you have—wait until you have to replace it with a more sustainable alternative.
- Buy secondhand/thrifted items whenever possible as opposed to buying new.
- In general, you want to swap out single use paper and plastic products for reusable products that will last a very long time, or at least break down in the compost pile at the end of their life (think glass, stainless steel, or bamboo materials).
- Sometimes there isn’t a truly zero waste alternative and it’s something you really need. For things like this, I offered a plastic-free, more natural alternative.
I organized the products (or in some cases natural homemade recipes) into categories—click on the links to jump to each one. See the ‘Additional Notes’ column for related blog posts that go more in-depth.
The Great Big List of Zero Waste Alternatives to Disposable Products
Table of Contents:
Kitchen
Grocery Shopping and On the Go
Cleaning Products and Laundry
Personal Hygiene and Beauty Products
Health Products
Kitchen
Item/Product Zero Waste Alternative Where to Buy Additional Resources
Food Scraps Compost There are many ways to compost (see Additional Resources). Personally, I use the YIMBY Tumbling Composter 
-How to Compost at Your Home or Apartment
Plastic Garbage Bags Compost all food scraps. Separate recyclables from non-recyclables. Rinse any food containers. You won't need a liner! Another option is a reusable liner. You can buy handmade on Etsy
Plastic Tupperware and Food Containers Stainless steel food storage containers & glass mason jars Many places sell these—Or try your local thrift store or buy at Life Without Plastic
Plastic Wrap Bee's Wrap Bees Wrap™
Non-Stick Cookware Cast iron pan Thrift store. The Lodge 
-How to Buy, Season, and Maintain Cast Iron Cookware (Serious Eats)
Plastic/Silicone Cooking Utensils Bamboo Cooking Utensils -Buy handmade
-Bambu
-Life Without Plastic
Plastic Utensils Stainless steel utensils Thrift or Goodwill
Plastic Straws Stainless steel or bamboo reusable straws -Lots of places sell these, including Bambu
-Life Without Plastic
-Amazon
Plastic cutting boards Wood cutting board Buy locally or handmade on Etsy
-Bambu
Plastic ice tray Stainless steel ice tray -Thrift Store
-Life Without Plastic
-Amazon
Water Filters Test your water to see if you even need a filter. Best solution is to drink tap water. -Buy a filter that attaches to your sink like this Faucet Water Filter on Amazon
-If you already own and need to use a Brita, recycle the used filters-How to Filter Water Without Plastic (Going Zero Waste)
Grocery Shopping and On the Go
| Item/Product | Zero Waste Alternative | Where to Buy | Additional Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional grocery store | Bulk Food Store & Local Farmer's Market | Use this website/app to find bulk stores in your area | -Why You Should Try Shopping at a Bulk Food Store (And How to Get Started) |
| Plastic produce bags at the grocery store | I don't bag my produce, but in some places you need to. Bring your own organic cotton bags. | -Simple Ecology Organic Cotton Muslin Produce Bag -Simple Ecology Reusable Organic Cotton Mesh Produce Bags  | |
| Plastic bags | Bring your own organic cotton bag | -Use the ones you have -Buy local or handmade on Etsy | |
| Paper Napkins | Organic cotton napkin | -Natural Linens (Etsy) Note: Any cloth will do, most people prefer to use organic cotton so you can compost at the end of its life | |
| Plastic Utensils | -Bamboo spork or stainless steel utensils you already have | -Start bringing your own reusable utensils with you -Carry bamboo or stainless steel chopsticks | |
| Plastic water bottles | -Stainless steel water bottle -Tap water | -Klean Kanteen |
Cleaning Products and Laundry
| Item/Product | Zero Waste Alternative | Where to Buy | Additional Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disposable sponges | Bamboo dish brush (reusable and compostable) | Local organic food store or online (I've used this brand before) | |
| Dish soap | Bulk Castile soap | Most stores sell Castile soap—you can even find it at Target or Ocean State Job Lot. Here's what it looks like . | |
| Hand Soap | -Bulk Castile soap -Reusable glass or stainless steel soap dispenser | -See above for Castile soap -I bought a glass soap dispenser on clearance a while back and now refill it with Castile soap bought in bulk. | |
| Plastic dish rack | Lay dishes out on a (reusable) dish towel. You can also find a bamboo dish rack that will break down at the end of its life. | ||
| Paper towels | Cloth towels, cut up old T-shirts and use as cloths | ||
| Surface Cleaner (coutners, tabletops, etc.) | DIY: Mix 1 part vinegar, 1 part water in a spray bottle and use with a rag. For countertops you can rub lemon, let it sit for 10 min. then rinse. | ||
| Plastic toilet bowl cleaner | Bamboo toilet bowl brush | Life Without Plastic | |
| Shower or tub cleaner | DIY: spray vinegar on the surface, let it sit for at least 30 mins, then rinse with warm water | ||
| Drain cleaner | DIY | Try this recipe | Unclogging Your Drain Naturally (Trash is for Tossers) |
| Dry Cleaning | Hand wash, steam, iron | ||
| Laundry detergent | Eco friendly version or DIY | -The Simply Co. (online) -I've found decent eco friendly detergent at Trader Joe's, and your local health food store might have it. -DIY recipe | Homemade HE Laundry Detergent Recipe (Wellness Mama) |
| Dryer Sheets | Line dry or get a bamboo drying rack. (If it gets cold in the winter, use dryer balls) |
Personal Hygiene and Beauty Products
| Item/Product | Zero Waste Alternative | Where to Buy | Additional Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deodorant | Best option is to make it yourself | Easiest DIY Recipe | -The Easiest Natural Beauty Recipes |
| Toothpaste | Make it yourself | Easiest DIY Recipe | |
| Toothbrush | Bamboo tooth brush | -Brush Naked Bamboo Toothbrush -Mother's Vault  -Brush with Bamboo | |
| Floss | Compostable floss (or some people use silk) | I use RADIUS Natural Silk Floss | |
| Disposable Razors | -Stainless steel razor with blades -Laser hair removal or waxing (DIY options are out there—let me know if you've tried!) | If you can't find it locally, Amazon has them | |
| Toilet paper | 100% bamboo toilet paper | -Who Gives A Crap bamboo toilet paper (US, UK) -Seventh Generation Toilet Paper  -Install a Bidet  | |
| Makeup Remover | Reusable cotton rounds with organic coconut oil | Etsy sellers make reusable cotton rounds | |
| Makeup: Mascara | -Make it yourself -Buy an organic/natural ingredients brand | -DIY Recipe -Organic Wear 100% Natural Origins mascara: CVS or Amazon  -RMS Beauty  | -Natural Mascara Recipe (Wellness Mama) |
| Makeup: Eye liner | -Go without or make it yourself -Buy from a brand that uses natural ingredients | -Easy DIY Recipe (I haven't personally tested this one yet) -RMS Beauty  | -Homemade Natural Eyeliner and Eyeshadow (A Blossoming Life) |
| Makeup: Face | -Buy from a brand that uses natural ingredients | -Jane Iredale - I buy this brand from a local natural beauty shop-RMS Beauty  | |
| ChapStick/Lip Balm | Make it yourself with natural ingredients | Easiest DIY recipe | |
| Body Wash | Bar soap | Buy local (Whole Foods usually sells these Good Soap bars free of packaging) | |
| Shampoo and Conditioner | -Try the 'no poo' method (see Additional Resources for a great site on how to do this) -Transition to natural shampoo and conditioner bars | You'll want to do some research and experiment to figure out what method and products work best for your hair. I have thin, not oily hair and I use a Lush Solid Shampoo Bar and Lush Queen Bee Hair Honey to condition. | -The 'No Poo' Method |
| Plastic hair brush | Boar bristle brush | Amazon or buy local | -Best Boar Bristle Brush for you in 2017 (Happy Hair Guide) |
Health Products
| Item/Product | Zero Waste Alternative | Where to Buy | Additional Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over the counter meds (such as NyQuil) | Always listen to your body to determine if you need treatment or antibiotics. For sore throats and colds, there are many natural remedies that are often more effective than over the counter drugs. | Many bulk stores sell herbs, teas, honey, etc. | -Natural Remedies for the Common Cold and More |
| Cough drops | -Honey (local, organic honey—avoid generic grocery store brands with a lot of sugar) -DIY recipe | Bulk store (bring a small mason jar to refill) | |
| Plastic tampons and pads | Many different products out there—you might have to experiment to see what works best for you. -Menstrual cup -Reusable pads -Period panties | -Lunapads (underwear and pads, your Target might sell them)-Blossom Menstrual Cup  (one of the better brands out there) | -Zero Waste Periods (Going Zero Waste Blog) -That Time of the Menses (Trash is for Tossers) |
| Latex condoms | There's no real zero waste substitute for condoms, but there are brands that are more healthy for you (non-toxic and vegan) than your basic Trojan. | Sustain Natural Condoms (these ship right to your house in an inconspicuous package :). You can even get a subscription) | |
Did you find this master list helpful? Any sustainable alternatives you’ve tried before that you’d add to the list? Let me know in the comments!
Want to download a PDF version of this master list? Fill out your email address below and I’ll send over a copy of the list to your email:
Quick Links:
- 8-Step Guide to Going Zero Waste for Beginners
- Step 8: Get Involved with Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Living in Your Community
And thank you, Calum!
Hi Brooke,
As an alternative to latex condoms we have always chosen lambskin condoms. We found them safe and more sensitive than latex.
Thank you so much for this insight and comment. Very interesting, will have to look into this more.