Ready to start the new year off right? With all the eco-friendly companies and products available nowadays, reducing your environmental impact, cutting your plastic consumption, and becoming more conscious about your purchases has never been easier! To help you get a jump start on your eco-friendliness, take a look at these 10 simple sustainable swaps from Bambaw that you’ll go nuts for.
Psst, this post contains affiliate links. Read our disclosure.
One of my favorite ways to encourage friends and family to become more sustainable is by suggesting incredibly simple and easy eco-friendly swaps!
Nowadays, there are a plethora of innovative companies (like Bambaw!) creating low impact, plastic-free, and zero waste products and services that make it a piece of cake to be more sustainable.
The thing is…
I know MANY people are incredibly lazy and don’t want to make big changes that require lots of effort and thought.
(You should see the looks of “Hell no, I do not think so!” when I suggest eating more vegan and plant-based meals to my friends!)
That’s why the sustainable swaps I mention below are incredibly simple and ridiculously easy!
Don’t believe me? Check ’em out for yourself.
If you love this post, don’t forget to read this one on 5 unique and sustainable gifts from Bambaw to give to your loved ones!
[no_toc]10 SIMPLE SUSTAINABLE SWAPS TO START THE NEW YEAR OFF RIGHT
1. Bamboo Toothbrush
If you haven’t heard, plastic toothbrushes are a BIG problem! According to the American Dental Association, it’s recommended to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
That’s a lot of plastic pollution! In fact, 1 billion toothbrushes are thrown away every year in the U.S., which is enough to stretch around the world 4 times. How crazy is that?!
Which is why swapping out your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo toothbrush is one of the most impactful and simplest sustainable swaps you can make this year!
Personally, I use this bamboo toothbrush from Bambaw.
When done with it, you just break off the bristle top and throw the rest in your compost bin! Easy peasy.
2. Reusable Water Bottle
Throwing out the habit of single-use plastic water bottles and opting for a reusable water bottle is a classic sustainable swap!
Better yet, opting for a stainless steel reusable water bottle, instead of a hard plastic bottle, is even more environmentally friendly! As a steel one can be recycled if it breaks or gets damaged.
I love this petite 17 oz stainless steel water bottle from Bambaw, which easily fits in my smaller backpack and bags!
Alternatively, for hiking trips, off-the-grid adventures, and backpacking trips to places where the water isn’t safe to drink, I adore my GRAYL Filtering Water Bottle. It is fantastic!
3. Plastic-Free Razor
Have you ever thought about the amount of plastic waste disposable razor heads produce? It’s a ridiculous amount, to say the least.
It’s time to toss out those nasty plastic razors for a plastic-free option! Mainly, a completely recyclable, stainless steel razor.
I love my rose gold stainless steel razor from Bambaw! It’s so beautiful and shaves like a dream. Get your own here!
4. Sustainable Materials
Living a more conscious, sustainable life also includes the various materials you choose — such as for clothing, fabrics, furniture, and so much more.
While buying second hand is 100% the most sustainable option, if that isn’t available for you why not try opting for more sustainable materials and fabrics?
Here’s a quick and dirty list of some awesomely sustainable materials:
- Organic cotton (regular cotton is packed with pesticides and usually isn’t grown sustainably!)
- Linen
- Hemp
- Bamboo
- Recycled nylon
- Tencel
Personally, I love buying products made from bamboo, linen, and hemp! I found a fantastic second hand dress made from hemp and linen pants from thredUP.
And Bambaw creates incredible bamboo-based bed sheets that are to die for! I’ve swapped out my regular sheets for these babies and have not regretted it one bit. They feel like luxurious silk but are completely vegan and grown without harmful chemicals.
Sounds like a dream? Get yourself a set of bamboo sheets here!
5. Reusable Makeup Wipes
Do you regularly use disposable, single-use makeup wipes? If yes, why not swap those suckers out for some soft, sustainable, reusable makeup wipes that are good for your skin and good for the earth?
I love these zero waste makeup wipes from Bambaw.
They come in paper packaging, which can be recycled, and a mesh bag you can use when throwing them in the washer!
6. Coconut Bowls
Take it from me… coconut bowls are the BEST for picnic baskets and on-the-go adventures! They’re lightweight, zero waste (just throw them in the compost when done with them!), and look amazing in photos. 😉
Want one? Check this bamboo bowl set out.
7. Zero Waste Paper Towels
Trying to be a bit more zero waste in 2021? Give reusable paper towels a try! Or shall I call them (un)paper towels?
I don’t know about you but it took me a LONG a** time to switch out my throw-away paper towels. But ever since I made the switch a few weeks ago, I can’t go back!
Reusable paper towels, which can simply be washed with all your other towels and kitchen cloths, are soft, super absorbant, and great for reducing your household waste.
Grab a set of reusable, zero waste paper towels here!
8. Reusable Straws
One of the first sustainable swaps people make when hopping on the road towards a more eco-friendly life, ditching single-use plastic straws for reusable straws is super easy!
For those who can’t use metal, I recommend reusable silicone straws or bamboo straws, which are softer. Although, I love my stainless steel straws, too!
9. Plastic-Free Cleaning Tools
Washing the dishes is something most households do (even though it may not be a fun task!). However, most conventional cleaning tools and dish washing tools are made out of nasty plastic.
Thankfully, many companies nowadays are making sustainable alternatives, such as scrubbing brushes with bamboo bristles and wooden handles!
Want to make your kitchen a bit more eco-friendly? Check out this plastic-free washing up brush set from Bambaw.
10. Bamboo Cutlery Set
A personal favorite sustainable swap of mine, getting a bamboo cutlery set has been such a great way to effortlessly reduce my waste no matter where I am!
For the last couple years, I’ve been carrying a bamboo fork and spoon set with me all over the world. It is the best for eating on the go and being zero waste!
I love it so much I even got Dan one as a cheeky gift so he can be a bit more sustainable, too!
Want one for yourself? Check out this super cute bamboo cutlery set!
With these 10 sustainable swap suggestions, you can be more effortlessly eco in the new year!
Tell me, what sustainable swaps are you planning on making this year? Or how are you being more eco-friendly in 2021? Share in the comments below!
Sophie xx
Not sure what to check out next? Readers love these posts:
- Stocking the stuffings with Bambaw — 5 unique and sustainable gift ideas
- The best chemical-free, zero waste sunscreen to pack for Bali
- My favorite zero waste things to pack along for a trip
- 20 simple ways to practice ecotourism & be a more green traveler
- 10 easy swaps to have a more eco-friendly summer (#8 is crazy simple!)
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Many thanks to Bambaw for sending me their sustainable products in exchange for this blog post! As always, all my opinions are my own and I would hands down not recommend anything I truly did not fully love.
As mentioned above, this post contains affiliate links. Which means if you make a purchase through the links, this site receives a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure here.
scott
March 31, 2021 2:27 pmUh yea, I think this sounds like the 1960s when we did have much plastic. Who would have ever thought of a metal lunch box?
Ingrid922
May 3, 2021 8:30 pmI had a metal lunch box in the 70’s. It was cool. Or I used paper bags too, I wasn’t around yet in the 60’s. I have been noticing that everything seems to be plastic lately. UGH!
Davy Boy
April 10, 2021 12:33 pmDoes the author have stock in Bambaw? I hate the amount of plastic I use, but it is almost impossible to get away from. Most food items have plastic containers, most Amazon orders, wrapped in plastic, plastic hangers that clothes come on, it goes on and on. But you lost me with the paper towels. They grow on trees! 100% biodegradable. And how much energy do you use washing those reusables? Plus I would not want to put some of my towels in the wash, I do my own oil changes, etc. I strop my disposable razors, I get six months out of them. Dry immediately after use and polish on a smooth cotton fabric. I use the decorative band on my bath towel.
Sophie
April 10, 2021 12:59 pmHey Davy! Thanks for stopping by.
As the author, I do not have stock in Bambaw! However, Bambaw did sponsor this post by sending me their products to try out! This is mentioned at the bottom of the post to let my readers know exactly why I mention their products and brand over others. 🙂
That said, I was a big fan of their brand before this post. I actually used a few of their products long before they sent me their sustainable goodies!
But you’re completely right! It’s damn near impossible to get away from plastic but does that mean we shouldn’t try to reduce the amount we use? Absolutely not. One of my top tips is to simply try and find food packaged in recyclable materials, such as glass or aluminum.
And sure, “normal” paper towels are biodegradable but reusable paper towels use a LOT less resources than disposable paper towels made from wood — even if you’re regularly washing them. Not to mention, we use paper towels far quicker than the time it takes for them to biodegrade!
That said, Davy, it sounds like you’re already taking steps towards a more eco-friendly lifestyle. So if you don’t want to switch to reusable paper towels but are more interested in reducing the amount of razors you use, that’s great! There’s absolutely no need to be perfect when it comes to living plastic-free (it’s not possible anyways!) but taking little steps here and there will certainly have an impact.
JPC
April 16, 2021 6:19 amHi Sophie,
Nice to read your article…yup, plastic is just a trend that we use everyday in our life and yet its litters goes to the environment whether via our own hands or by landfills! Long time i was thinking on what the heck happened to all the plastic made products from the market after we consume it without recycling!…hopefully, humans will have an effective resolution to these matters!!
Sophie
April 25, 2021 12:35 pmHey JPC! Thanks for reading 🙂 It’s crazy how accustomed we’ve gotten to daily plastic usage! Time to shake things up with plastic pollution awareness and get people questioning how much we use this material in our everyday lives, as well as shedding light on where it goes after we use it!
Ingrid922
May 3, 2021 8:42 pmI use cloth washcloths in the kitchen for clean-up, they wash in the washing machine along with the cloth hand and dish drying towels. Or for really dirty stuff, old washcloths, rags, or cloth diapers work well for clean up. Wash with other dirty rags, etc.
Trent
April 23, 2021 11:32 amOne thing that gets me which all the “sustainable” people never mention is going to the store and visit the clothe washing detergent aisle. Most of the detergent is now all liquid in plastic containers. Seriously people?
I always buy the powder detergent because 1) It comes in paper container rather than plastic. 2) It weighs many times less than the liquid. Carrying more weight on delivery trucks means putting more pollution in the air.
Why is not everyone else promoting the use of powder detergents? Even powder dish washing detergents. Both for dishwasher and hand washing. Even Mexico still sells powdered hand dish washing soap.
Sophie
April 23, 2021 11:47 amHey Trent!
You’re absolutely right – people do NOT promote sustainable detergent enough. (Myself included, thank you for pointing out that I need to write another post on more sustainable detergent options!)
Personally, I use a plastic-free option in the UK called smol, which come in a cardboard box as little pods. In the US (where I’m from), I just can’t wrap my head around why powdered detergent isn’t a thing like they have in the UK and other countries! That said, the powdered detergent that is available in the US tends to come in plastic. Why? I’ll never understand!
Also, for hand soap (and other types of soap) I always promote just simply switching over to a bar, rather than liquid! Easy peasy. (And usually more affordable.)
Anyways, thank you for pointing out the big gaping hole on the blog where more sustainable detergents and washing up liquids should be! I’ll be sure to remedy this with an upcoming post.
Have a great day, Trent, and thanks for reading!
– Sophie
dd
May 1, 2021 12:19 pmd
Allen Smith
May 2, 2021 12:56 pmHey, Sophie! Thanks for being a self-righteous, British birdbrain.
Please, go tuck a reusable paper towel into your tightly-puckered, little, British A**hole.
Sophie
May 2, 2021 5:34 pmHey Allen! Thank you for the heart-warming comment. My tightly-puckered, little AMERICAN a**hole is touched. 🙂
henry dzwil
May 12, 2021 4:52 pmWow kudos to you Sophie! You handled the last comment (Allen Smith) with much more grace than I would choose! These are suggestions, you are not insistent anyone use these products or else ….!? So much shaming and negativity on the internet so I thought I’d take a few moments to pass along a smile and some positive vibes! Thank you for researching and sharing useful and important information to help contribute to a more sustainable eco-friendly future. Wouldn’t each and everyone one of us benefit from lifting each other up? Following the Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated. Anyway, I just thought I’d try to spread some much needed love to you and it seems more importantly to Mr. Allen Smith. I hope you gain a bit more peace and choose to keep nasty uninvited thoughts to yourself, maybe you will find a whole new and exciting world of opportunity as a result. Good luck to all, thank you for your time:)
Mac
December 2, 2022 12:31 pmIt is great to get away from plastics, I agree, but by cutting down bamboo trees and using them, is this really sustainable. What in the embodied carbon in the bamboo products we are replacing the other products with? If we cut trees down to make these products, do we not lose the carbon absorbing properties of the trees for a number of years until the replanted trees are large enough to absorb the same quantity of carbon dioxide gas these trees absorbed before being cut down? And them what about all of the parts of the trees that are not harvested? How much carbon dioxide does the decaying of these parts of the tree emit to the atmosphere. I love wood and agree it is a great product, but instead of using wood for the whole product, how about we just replace the part that wears out and not the whole toothbrush, or razor or whatever it is? Then the majority of the product can be used for far longer. We used to just replace the razor blades, now we replace the whole razor, blades handle and all. Why not just the bristles or the brush head?