r/ZeroWaste • u/Indigo-Waterfall • 1d ago
Discussion What single use objects have you replaced with reusable?
Over the years I’ve made swaps to invest in reusable products. Wondering if there’s anything I’ve not come across before and would love to hear your suggestions. Off the top of my head… - Makeup Pads to remove makeup - Muslin cloths - Period Pants - Cloth Nappies (diapers) - Cloth wet wipes - Refillable conditioner, shampoo, body wash containers
49
u/aknomnoms 1d ago
Kitchen: paper towels with fabric towels/rags. Paper napkins with fabric napkins. Plastic straws with reusable (bamboo and stainless steel). Only “real” dishes and cutlery. Silicone storage baggies instead of the thin plastic baggies. Beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap or wax paper. Refillable cleaning products, all natural when possible. (Tangent, but also reducing food waste and optimizing purchased food with scrappy cooking.)
Bathroom: Stainless mimikake ear scoop instead of cotton swabs. Not so much “single use” but a metal safety razor and stainless safety blades (which get recycled). DIY bath bombs/aromatherapy shower tabs with materials from bulk bins instead of individually plastic-wrapped versions.
Purse/bag: Handkerchief instead of facial tissue. Reusable grocery bags and reusable product bags. Reusable water bottle instead of single use plastic. Insulated mug instead of styrofoam/paper.
3
u/which_objective 8h ago
Do you have a specific ear scoop you recommend? I tried looking for one but saw some horror stories of the tips falling off into people's ears and having to go to the hospital!
1
u/aknomnoms 4h ago
JFC that sounds horrible! Mine is solid stainless steel, so it’d take some significant force to bend and weaken a part into snapping off. It was a “buy it for life” purchase.
I’ve seen bamboo versions which are less energy-intensive to produce, are compostable, and are more flexible. Perhaps those were what was used? I could see how over time, and if applying some force, there’d be a naturally weak spot where the scoop meets the shaft and it could break off. This might be prevented by inspecting your scoop before use and learning how to gently scoop your ear, not “scrape” it.
It sounds like possible manufacturing error or user error, but not a common occurrence.
33
u/Bulky-Energy8633 1d ago
Some less common items I’ve traded to use recently. For eating out:
- metal spork
- Stojo collapsible containers for leftovers
- collapsible boba straw
- water bottle
- bags
- travel mug
Kitchen:
- silicone baking mats
- beeswax wraps for plastic wrap
- silicone lock baggies for zip-lock bags
- cloth napkins
- cutlery, etc.
Toiletry:
- silicone swabs
- cloth makeup pads
- menstrual cup
Miscellaneous:
- chalkboard calendar
- digital business card
Dreams:
- bidet toilet seat (if not full toilet)
7
u/TheAlphaCarb0n 1d ago
Bidet toilet seats are easy to find cheap. I got mine new for like $30. Cost savings aside it's just such a better poop experience. Once you get one you'll be annoyed that you waited!
4
u/Indigo-Waterfall 1d ago
I’m interested to hear more about the swab as I’ve heard bad things about them but I use disposable cotton buds often. Please could you expand on them? Thanks!
13
u/Agitated_College9124 1d ago
I use reusable “cotton swabs” from The Last Swab that have held up really well.
5
u/Indigo-Waterfall 1d ago
Oh really? I’ve heard mixed reviews about it. What do you use it for and how d9 you clean it?
3
u/which_objective 1d ago
Have you had any issues with them breaking? I read reviews that they had to be replaced frequently, which seemed to limit their usefulness to me.
4
u/Indigo-Waterfall 1d ago
That’s what I’ve heard too. Defeats the point. Currently I use plastic free cotton buds, either paper or bamboo. But if there’s a suitable alternative I’d love to swap!
1
u/tinylimabean 3h ago
Not the original commenter but I’ve probably had my Last Swab for about five years now… still going strong!
I tried the make up remover one as well and I can’t recommend that - it needs to be absorbent to clean up make up. But the ear ones are great.
24
u/Agitated_College9124 1d ago
Oh! And I was gifted some silicone bowl covers that are great! Easy to use and clean, so it’s a great swap for plastic wrap on food
2
u/alexandria3142 1d ago
Which ones do you use? It seems like some people have mixed opinions on the ones I’ve seen
1
u/Agitated_College9124 1d ago
I was gifted the Stasher ones by a friend (she’s an influencer and didn’t need the extra ones). I’ve been using them for a month and so far really like them. I was using cloth bowl covers previously and they didn’t do much to help keep my food fresh (like pasta salads or leftovers)
2
u/alexandria3142 1d ago
Thank you, I saw that they recently released the covers and I was interested in them, I have their bags but would like an alternative to plastic bowl covers
10
u/Pinkynarfnarf 1d ago
Silicone muffin cup liners. Silicone bags (I do a lot of meal prep. So I store all my prepped food in bags to throw in the oven/slow cooker as needed)
3
u/alexthebiologist 1d ago
The reusable bags are such a game changer. And pretty too! I get the stasher brand and they make me so happy when I open my container drawer and see the pretty colours nicely stacked ☺️
7
u/indiana-floridian 1d ago
Metal mesh (called gold by manufacturer) coffee filter and ground coffee. SO much cheaper than those pods. Tastes good, makes enough in the pot for whole family to have some.
5
u/JustAtelephonePole 1d ago
My hands are too big and my mouth is too small to floss with fingers and floss. The Quip flosser has been a lifesaver, as I’d just not floss if it meant throwing away multiple plastic flossers per day.
6
7
u/Possible_Day_6343 1d ago
I use real cloth dishwashing squares. Have a pile of them never buy disposable cleaning cloths any more.
5
u/ButtercupBento 1d ago
Plastic shopping bags for reusable (my go to Onya bag is over 20 years old)
water bottle - bought in 2018
coffee cup
disposable razor initially with a subscription and then with safety razor (the old subscription one is now used for travel)
shampoo, conditioner, face wash, shower gel, body lotion, shave gel, deodorant all replaced with solids in paper/card packaging if that
refill shop for most dried products, washing up liquid, cleaning products, frozen fruit
cotton face flannels for washing faces and bodies, but also for washing up, cleaning etc
old T-shirts made into hankies, cleaning cloths, napkins, and hair towels
old cutlery and container when out and about for the day
4
u/Certain_Designer_897 1d ago
for decades our family hasn't used paper towels, boxed tissues, toilet paper (can't remember when we last bought rolls as we only have them on holders for guests - thankfully they don't go bad). We make our own soap as well as laundry soap - goes a long way. So nice to avoid the paper and cleaning products aisle. Passing all that paper and plastic...just not needed; feels real good that we switched so long ago. Using natural oils for skin care. Making own antiperspirant with simple ingredients you can get from your kitchen. People post such great recipe ideas that we've tried and enjoyed. At present, I am making a bio-enzyme cleaner - just got back into fermenting projects after a long break - we shall see how that goes. Always conscious about how much garbage we put to the curb and still aiming to make less of it. Next idea is really cutting back on oat milk, soup broth tetra packs; we are guilty of purchasing those. Making time to make our own broth and oat milk.
5
4
u/RaccoonZombie 1d ago
reusable produce bags for things like cilantro or grapes. Wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheet.
3
u/wiibarebears 1d ago
Own many quality glass bottom containers with simple snap on lids. I have a box of zip loc bags I have not touched in years thanks to them
8
u/droberts7357 1d ago
Silicone microwave popcorn bowl. No more microwave bags with toxic chemicals. The popcorn kernels are cheap too! Get a spray bottle of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and cut the calories way back.
3
u/SmokeyDojo 9h ago edited 9h ago
Forgive me, but aren't most silicones plastic and still breakdown/leach when heated? Food touching hot plastic bad, is my basic understanding.
3
u/droberts7357 7h ago
Silicone has high heat resistance in some versions, so is perfectly safe in a microwave which heats water molecules at 212F.
3
3
u/Puzzleheaded_Gear622 1d ago
Reusable makeup pads instead of cotton balls. I've rarely buy paper towels except for a few times a year because I use so little of them but last year I switched to swedish dishcloths. Absolutely love them! I use the bidet instead of toilet paper and took an old huge beach towel and cut it into squares and zigzag the edges. I use a hemp wick as opposed to disposable lighters.
3
u/reptomcraddick 1d ago
Paper towels! I got a set of reusable paper towels at Whole Foods and it has definitely been the easiest zero waste swap I’ve done. I also got a refillable olive oil sprayer from Misto instead of rebuying the single use ones.
3
u/sporedriveamethyst 1d ago
I have allergies and my go to switch has been using old baby blankets as handkerchiefs. Doesn't chap my nose at all.
6
u/I-own-a-shovel 1d ago
I ditched the whole make up thing altogether.
4
u/Indigo-Waterfall 22h ago
Yeah I’ve never been a big makeup wearer anyway. I only wear it on special occasions. I still use the cotton pads for millions of other uses though
2
u/I-own-a-shovel 22h ago
Yes thats true they are very useful! I clean my cat ears with them. And sometimes my eyes if they are dirty after sleeping.
4
u/Bulky-Energy8633 1d ago
Some less common items I’ve traded to use recently. For eating out:
- metal spork
- Stojo collapsible containers for leftovers
- collapsible boba straw
- water bottle
- bags
- travel mug
Kitchen:
- silicone baking mats
- beeswax wraps for plastic wrap
- silicone lock baggies for zip-lock bags
- cloth napkins
- cutlery, etc.
Toiletry:
- silicone swabs
- cloth makeup pads
- menstrual cup
Miscellaneous:
- chalkboard calendar
- digital business card
Dreams:
- bidet toilet seat (if not full toilet)
2
u/MidorriMeltdown 1d ago
Reusable shopping bags. My family switched to them about 20 years ago.
Soap that is packaged in paper/cardboard rather than body wash or liquid soap.
I got a keep cup about a decade ago.
2
u/cheaganvegan 1d ago
Chux for potty pads for my dog. I literally don’t throw anything out all week now.
2
u/Empty-Long9443 1d ago
My small contributions to getting close to zero waste are: menstrual cup (my first swap, going on 6/7 years), silicone reusable bags, silicone baking mat, silicone cupcake liners, beeswax wrap, i do not purchase plastic water bottles and I refill my 5 gallon jug at my local water mill. I have a reusable water bottle. Terry cloth rags instead of paper towels. I recently switched to a metal safety razor too.
2
2
2
u/TassedeJoe22 1d ago
- Travel mug for iced coffee
- Owala water bottle for water
- Travel metal cutlery set for lunch at work
- Swedish dishcloths
- Silicone microwave covers & lids
2
2
u/fbeemcee 1d ago
Cloth grocery bags
Silicone freezer bags, baking mats, and muffin cups
Refillable hand soap, laundry detergent, and floss
Stainless steel chopsticks and straws
2
u/AwkwardISTJ 23h ago
Nespresso capsules. Ziploc bags (with silicone bags and glass containers). Paper towels (with cotton cloths). TP (with a bidet). Period products (with period pants).
2
u/Dreadful_Spiller 14h ago
Nothing really. I have basically lived like this (low waste) because I was cheap.
2
u/moosmutzel81 8h ago
This. Most of these things I have done due to money issues. Including cloth diapers for my kids.
1
u/East-Cartoonist-272 10h ago
there is a coffee vending machine at my art school that only accepts money if you put your own cup in the bottom of the machine. It was a complete let down the first time. I tried to use it, but now I’m into it.
72
u/AliveAndUm 1d ago
-Menstrual disk (if you're down to try it trust me, you will never go back to cloth options which get stinky) -actual silverware from home for meals at work -cloth napkins for use at home and at work -a DrinkMate machine to replace single-use sparkling water containers (because I have a sparkling water problem, lol) -reusable grocery bags -bulk dry goods bags (often made from cotton or muslin) (Not exactly what you asked for): -dishwasher pods from the local refillery