The Ultimate Plastic-Free Products Checklist: 36 Swaps That Will Help You Live a Low-Waste Life

The overabundance of plastic use has become a very hot topic of late–and it may have a few of you questioning how you can contribute to helping the environment by cutting back on waste. Here, I’ve outlined simple ways to reduce the usage of plastic, broken down by category. The checklists below also offer recommendations for plastic-free products to swap in as solutions.

Why take it from me? My name is Ashley Nicole Caldwell, and I’m a small-town girl who grew up along the gulf coast of Florida. My family is a big part of the seafood industry there and my father is a fourth-generation fisherman. Many families living by the gulf coast rely on the harvest of seafood on a daily basis, not only for their jobs, but to put food on the table, too (i.e. what you catch is what’s for dinner). I’ve seen so many ups and downs over the years when it comes to the seafood industry and its harvest. Sadly, pollution is a constant struggle, as many of us strive to maintain the habitats of our bays and our gulf.

Each of these categories below plays a role in your daily life, and looking at it this way will give you a better understanding of where the majority of plastic waste can build over time–and where it can be reduced. Let’s dive in-no pun intended!

In the Kitchen

When preparing and storing foods, opt for containers with lids that can be reused instead of plastic containers that can’t stand the heat.

Plastic-free products for the kitchen: 

• Wooden/stainless steel cooking utensils
• Stainless steel/glass jars for spices and storage (you can even wash out finished tomato sauce or pickle jars and reuse!)
• Reusable beeswax cloth
• Cheesecloth
• Wax paper
• Fabric bowl covers
• For larger storage options (think pantry) use wire/straw baskets and wooden crates.

Out and About

When out and about, try making an effort to purchase goods in paper and non-plastic forms of packaging that can be recycled and/or breakdown over time.  Here are a few options to keep in mind when you’re on the go.

Plastic-free products on-the-go:

• Bento boxes
• Stainless steel ice packs
• Stainless steel bottle or cup
• Metal or glass straws
• Lined cloth snack bags
• Glass containers
• Bamboo or metal cutlery
• Use reusable/washable bags when shopping for supplies/groceries/lunch bag
• Use reusable mesh bags for produce.

Daily Cleaning Rituals

There are several ways to cut down the use of plastic in cleaning supplies. One, in particular, would be to use glass spray bottles and dispensers for containing cleaning products. Here are a few recommended swaps.

Plastic-free cleaning products:

• Wooden bristle dish scrubbers
• All-natural sponges
• Stainless steel scrubbers
• Dishwashing blocks
• Amber glass spray bottles and dispensers
• Paper bag liners
• Washable floor buffers for mops
• Wooden bristle brooms

Personal Grooming and Organization

When it comes to grooming and organizing, keep it simple and use less by purchasing natural options that will last in the long run.

Plastic-free products for grooming and organization:

• Metal razors
• Wooden/bamboo toothbrushes
• Bar Soap in shampoo and body wash varieties
• Wooden hangers
• Wire/grass baskets for storage and dirty clothes baskets
• Plastic-free ear swabs
• Plastic-free feminine products
• Washable diapers
• Natural sponges and loofas
• Wooden hairbrushes with natural bristles
• Wooden combs
• Plastic-free storage containers for toiletries

Sometimes plastic is inevitable and unavoidable, so the best way to handle this is to keep in mind ways to re-purpose/re-use, and recycle to keep your “sustainable” momentum going strong by creating less waste overall.

What are your favorite plastic-free products? Tell us in the comments!

See more style tips, resources, and DIYs by Ashley Nicole on Instagram @thecottageboundblog and Cottage-Bound.com.