10 Simple Sustainable Swaps to Start a Zero Waste Lifestyle

It’s no surprise that zero waste living is becoming a trend, and to be honest, I really hope it isn’t a trend, I hope it’s here to stay. With the earth becoming more polluted daily, people are searching for attainable sustainable swaps for their everyday items. 

That’s where we come in. At Evolve we aspire to have an eco-friendly alternative for all of your daily routines. 

Here are our top 10 sustainable swaps to start with.

Reusable Water Bottle

The easiest thing to ditch is single use plastic water bottles. It is estimated that over 70 million plastic water bottles are thrown away every day. 

By choosing a reusable water bottle you won’t be contributing to that waste. 

S'well pink water bottle

Dish Washing Sponge Swaps

Most household sponges will be thrown away and will sit in landfills for over 50,000 years. Not to mention how toxic they are to waterways around the world. 

Cloth sponges are an awesome option for a dish washing swap, they can be used indefinitely and washed with your regular laundry. If the cloth sponge is made from 100% cotton they are completely biodegradable. 

You can also choose bamboo or coconut dish brushes as well as cup and bottle brushes made from organic materials.

Sew Sawsome Cloth Sponges

Beeswax Wraps

Beeswax wraps are becoming extremely popular, they are typically made from 100% cotton and a beeswax blend curated by the maker. These wraps can be used to cover bowls, cups, jars, or wrap food in, completely replacing clear food wrap. 

There are also disposable options like compostable clear food wrap that are much better for the environment than traditional plastic wrap.

BeeKind Beeswax Wraps

Reusable Sandwich Bags

Sandwich and snack bags will never completely biodegrade making them a huge threat to our earth. Compostable options are always beneficial, but our favorite option is reusable sandwich bags.

Silicone is extremely durable and if taken care of properly, your food storage bags will last a very long time.

Reusable Sandwich Bags

Locally Made Bar Soaps

You will be able to find local soap makers at almost any farmer's market. By choosing a local bar soap you are avoiding the plastic containers liquid soaps come in, as well as all the waste created by shipping and packaging.

2bSoapworks handmade bar soap

Reusable Straw

Save the turtle campaigns have been popular for quite some time, but did you know that there are multiple straw options available?

Metal, silicone, bamboo, and even straws made from natural reeds. These reusable reed straws are all natural and completely compostable making them 100% zero waste.

Holy City Reed Straw

Wool Dryer Balls

Dryer sheets are not only a huge and unnecessary expense, they are full of chemicals. Choose a more eco-friendly option with wool dryer balls. Handmade and completely compostable, these dryer balls will reduce drying time and will last well past 1000 loads of laundry.

Friendsheep Wool Dryer Balls

Sustainable Makeup

The beauty industry created over 100 billion units of packaging each year. A lot of this packaging is not recyclable or biodegradable. 

When you’re in need of new makeup, come in and grab an eco-friendly foundation, mascara, or a whole new beauty bag. At Evolve, we carry Elate Cosmetics, which is a refillable, cruelty-free, B Corp Certified, and 90% organic makeup brand.

Elate Cosmetics Refresh Foundation

Shampoo & Conditioner Bars

Over 500 million shampoo bottles end up in landfills each year, double that if we are also counting conditioner bottles. This waste is senseless when there are awesome shampoo and conditioner bar options out there.

Refuse to contribute to that waste and choose a zero-waste shampoo bar.

HiBar Shampoo and Conditioner Sample Bars

Sustainable Clothing Options

The amount of textile waste created each year is disturbing. The absolute best option to eradicate that waste is to choose secondhand clothing options.

Clothing made from 100% cotton, hemp, and bamboo are also awesome eco-friendly options. Bamboo shirts are biodegradable if made from all natural fibers.

Studio Ko Bamboo Clothing

Start Your Zero Waste Journey Today

Remember, you don’t have to switch everything right away. Take your time. Leading a zero waste lifestyle starts with using up what you have first, and then making your sustainable swaps.

When you’re ready, head over to our our website or our store located in Whitesboro, NY. We are so excited to help you on your sustainability journey.
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