Here are 8 simple kitchen and laundry swaps to help you reduce your plastic and paper waste: 

Kitchen

1. Reusable Food Storage Wrap instead of Plastic Wrap

Bee's Wrap

• Use the warmth of your hands to mold the wrap around produce, bread, cheese or Tupperware. 
• Made with organic cotton, sustainably harvested beeswax, organic jojoba oil, tree resin 
• biodegradable and compostable 
• Natural antibacterial properties helps keep food fresh.
• Can be reused for a year with proper care. 
• Wash with cool water and soap, hang dry 
• Keep away from raw meat and heat.

Another Alternative: Flexible Silicone Covers, Good old fashion plate on a bowl technique.

Bee's Wrap

2. Reusable Paper Towels

On average U.S households consume 6.5 million tons of paper towels each year. And a lot of times those rolls are individually wrapped in plastic too.

Swedish Dishcloth

• Wipe counters, wash dishes, clean glass, granite, stainless steel
• Can absorb 20x its weight 
• Dries quickly-eliminates risk of bacteria/odors, gentle
• One can replace 15 rolls of paper towels 
• Made from vegetable fibers, cotton and water based ink (compostable, biodegradable)
• Can be used for about a year if taken care of
• Wring excess water and air dry 
• Disinfect in microwave or dip in boiling water w/tongs 

Goldilocks Goods

3. Reusable Silicone Bags

• Replace sandwich/ziplock baggies
• Can store produce, food, snacks, candies, school supplies, kid’s lunches and more
• Reusable and durable unlike thin plastic baggies 
• Microwave, dishwasher, fridge, sous vide safe
• Non-toxic
• Stasher Brand is 1% For the Planet

William Sonoma

4. Cloth Coffee Filter

Organic Cotton/Linen/Hemp/Muslin Coffee Filters

• Lasts 3-4 months instead of paper filters fast life cycle
• Look for unbleached, un-dyed, organic
• Easy to wash and care for 
• Compostable 

The Organized Home

5. Plastic Free Dish Brushes & Dish Soap Block 

Natural Sponges, Wooden Cleaning Brushes, Coconut Scrubber, Coconut fiber Dish Brush

• Vegan
• Biodegradable
• Naturally antibacterial
• Non-toxic
• Dishes, Pots and Pans
• Ethically made

Dish Soap Block (Savon De Marseille) 

• No chemical preservatives, dyes, synthetic fragrances or GMOs
• Blend of natural vegetable oils (olive and coconut) 
• Biodegradable 
• Use for body, face and dishes
• gentle, non-irritating, hypoallergenic 
• Disinfects 

 June Home Supply

6. Cast Iron, Enameled Cast Iron, Stainless Steel Pots and Pans 

Non-stick/Teflon is popular and cheap but the Teflon later has harmful chemicals (PFAS) that get into your food and then into your body.

• Look for cookware that is non-toxic and will last you decades
• Stainless steel is durable, non-toxic 
• Enameled Cast Iron is made non-stick from a ceramic layer rather than a plastic one (Eg. Ourplace)
• Cast iron pans require more maintenance but are durable, non-toxic, heat tolerant, great for cooking

Laundry

7. Wool Dryer Balls instead of Fabric Softer Sheets

100% Wool Dryer Balls

• Dryer sheets usually made from polyester are thrown out with some particles ending up in waterways
• Fabric softeners can contain harmful chemicals 
• 100% Organic Wool Dryer Balls help prevent wrinkles, static, can reduce drying time, and are naturally scent free (good for those irritated/allergic by fragrances)
• Some can dry your laundry up to 50% faster, saving you electricity and money
• Can be uses up to a year or more unlike regular sheets that have more packaging and are consumed at a faster rate
• You can put drops of your favorite essential oils if you want a scent

 Public Goods

8. Lint Brushes 

• Plastic free (wood, natural rubber bristles, copper wire)
• Removes lint, dust, hair from clothes, furniture
• Cleaned by running under water and drying 

Housework.store

These were just a few sustainable kitchen and laundry swaps but research and check our your local shops or online to discover more alternative products!

Cover Image: Passport to Sustainability