This post is all about creating less waste with the best realistic and budget-friendly swaps.
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I created this post because there were a few things in my life that I use that naturally made my life easier while simultaneously helping to create less waste in my everyday life.
I could be better. There are undoubtedly a million things I could “do better” to be environmentally conscious. That is very important, I will never deny that. These are realistic less waste swaps that I genuinely use daily that did not take extra effort in my life.
I want to make your life easier, and if that also creates less waste in the process, it’s a win-win!
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1. The Original Makeup Eraser
This is number one on my less waste swaps list for a reason. I cannot praise this enough. The Original Makeup Eraser surprised me and I have never regretted this purchase. I purchased mine a few years ago and it is STILL GOING STRONG.
The Benefits of The Original Makeup Eraser:
- Reusable
- Machine Washable
- Lasts 3-5 Years
- 1 Makeup Eraser is Equivalent to Approximately 3,600 Single-use Makeup Remover Wipes
- Erases All Makeup with Water
For one, I love that it only takes WATER to take any makeup off. If I can choose between a product that 1) costs a decent amount of money and 2) could easily have several questionable ingredients OR water, I will choose water any day. Hands down.
And it ACTUALLY works! This is my favorite method of taking makeup off. It takes it off completely, even mascara. It also does not leave a weird residue or film on your skin. I hate when that happens, so I’m grateful this doesn’t do that. It is also double-sided. Clean off makeup with the shorter fibers, and exfoliate your skin with the longer fibers.
This product does not have to exclusively be used for makeup removal.
Another amazing use for it, is I use it daily to apply my face toner. I did not want to use cotton balls to apply toner daily because that felt unnecessarily wasteful. With this, I use different sections daily to get multiple uses out of one makeup eraser, and use zero waste!
They have two different size options. You can purchase one large makeup eraser, or you can buy a pack of multiple mini makeup erasers. I use and love the mini makeup erasers. They’re great for travel, and you can throw them in the hamper one at a time, instead of having to worry about cleaning the one large one. However, you can’t go wrong with either! They have a ton of designs and colors, you’ll definitely find some that you love!
The best part, is they are cleaned in the washing machine! You can throw them in with your load of laundry, and they come out clean and ready to be used.
So, you use less waste of:
- Single-use makeup remover wipes
- Cotton balls or pads
- Makeup remover products
I promise you will not regret getting The Original Makeup Eraser, I highly recommend it for your ‘create less waste’ journey!
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2. Mop with Reusable/Machine Washable Microfiber Pads
My goal with using a mop with a reusable pad was to replace my Swiffer with the single use wet pads.
Don’t get me wrong, those work well, but I wanted something that I could easily wash and reuse instead of a single use product I would throw away and create more waste.
I use the Bona® Pet System Premium Pet Microfiber Mop for Multi-Surface Floors. It comes with the mop with a large mop-head and two different pads.
One pad is the Bona PowerPlus Microfiber Deep Clean Pad, and the other is the Bona Pet System Microfiber Sweeping Pad.
I love that I can reuse the pads and simply throw them in the washing machine to clean. The microfiber pad works great to clean the floors.
I was not in a financial situation to get an expensive mop, I was trying to find something that worked well and was cost-effective. And the Bona mop with the floor cleaner was perfect for the job.
I use the Bona Multi-Surface floor cleaner, and that works great, as well. With the amount of floor I had to clean, I was annoyed with having to replace the Swiffer wet pad multiple times.
- Here’s a link to the Bona Multi-Surface floor cleaner with the spray bottle.
- This is a link to the 4-pack CONCENTRATE refill of the Multi-Surface Bona floor cleaner so you can reuse the smaller spray bottle instead of having to buy a new one every time. You simply pour the concentrate into the spray bottle, then fill the rest with water.
- Here’s a link to the large Ready-to-Use refill of the Multi-Surface Bona floor cleaner, as well.
With this mop, I only had to use one pad and just sprayed the cleaner on the floor and mopped the floor with it. It made the process easier and faster.
- They also offer deep-cleaning microfiber pads on their own, so you can buy a few extra to have on hand. I have been able to get away with just using one, but that is an option if you’re interested!
- Here is a Bona Mop with the spray feature, if that’s something you’re interested in!
I decided to go with the pet-focused one because we have an Australian Shepherd and he sheds like nobody’s business. It’s honestly insane how much he sheds. His hair ruins every single vacuum cleaner. Or, any vacuum we use we have to empty and clean out a few times each use.
We also live in a home right now that does not have any carpet, so it made sense to get a mop with the Pet System Microfiber Sweeping Pad. It was easier to use the Pet System pad and collect all his hair, along with any dust or dirt, sweep it up, and then mop. It does pick up a good amount of hair and dirt in the fibers.
- Here’s a Pet System Microfiber Sweeping Pad in case you need an extra, or want to add it to the Bona mop you already have!
We do still use this Shark Robot Vacuum, and we love it! It works great, has a great battery life, and it’s easy to clean his hair out of it and the bristles.
I do not solely use the Pet System pad to sweep our floors. His hair collects in huge clumps on the floor, so I like to sweep those up as much as possible to try and prolong the life of the vacuum. Yes, it’s an extra step, but it’s only because his hair is that much of a pain, not the lack of ability of the vacuum cleaner. Can any pet owners relate?
The Benefits of Using a Mop with Reusable/Machine Washable Microfiber Pads:
- Create less waste of single-use wet pads for mops
- Create less waste using the Concentrate refills of Multi-Surface cleaner
- Save time and energy by not having to replace the wet pads multiple times during one use
- Pick up more dirt and pet hair with the Pet System pad
- Save money in the long run by not having to buy more single-use mop pads
3. Gift Bags and Tissue Paper
I have been using the same gift bags on rotation for the last few years and I have no shame whatsoever. I even save my tissue paper if I can. This isn’t necessarily a swap, but my goal with this was to create less waste from wrapping paper and throwing away gift bags and tissue paper after a single use.
If you don’t have any gift bags or tissue paper at this time, I recommend buying some basic gift bags with multiple colors and white or solid-colored tissue paper to cover your bases, and then you can sprinkle in a few more decorative or holiday-specific gift bags as they come to build your reusable collection. Then, you can reuse and rotate through the same bags and tissue paper for years to come.
These gift bags from Amazon come in multiple colors and sizes, AND come with tissue paper!
Obviously, there are instances when you would give a gift and not be able to use that gift bag or tissue paper again. However, for any instance of gift giving to those who live in your household, the gift bags and tissue paper can have multiple uses for multiple holidays and celebrations.
Part of this comes from not wanting to have to remember to buy gift bags and tissue paper for every occasion that requires gift-giving. For one thing, it helps save money from having to do it over and over for each event. Also, I know my anxiety and depression brain will inevitably forget so this helps prevent stress in my life.
Although you can get gift bags, tissue paper, and gift wrap at a decent price, if you’re buying it every single time for birthdays, winter holidays, Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or anything else you celebrate it can add up.
Recently, I purchased this gift wrap organizer, the Premium Christmas Wrapping Paper Storage Bag with Interior Pockets and it was a game-changer! I used to keep some supplies in a small plastic bin, and wrapping paper would not fit in it.
Now, everything is all in one organized place and it makes my life so much easier.
Below are the Before and the After pictures using the Premium Christmas Wrapping Paper Storage Bag with Interior Pockets from Amazon.
I do have wrapping paper for the occasional gift that won’t fit in a bag, or for when it’s easier to wrap it in the box it came in. However, wrapping gifts in a gift bag with tissue paper is SO MUCH EASIER than wrapping them with wrapping paper. It saves you so much time and stress, and you can reuse the bag as opposed to single-use wrapping paper.
The Benefits of Using Gift Bags and Tissue Paper:
- Create less waste of single-use gift wrap and wrapping paper
- Save money from having to repurchase gift bags and tissue paper for every holiday or celebration
- Save time and effort by wrapping gifts in gift bags and tissue paper
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4. Food Storage Containers with Snap-On Lids
My goal when I started using food storage containers was to use resealable plastic bags less often in my everyday life. I still use them on occasion, but this was a realistic swap for me to create less waste.
I’ve been doing this for years now, and I can genuinely say it made a positive impact.
My favorite food storage containers to use are the ones with the snap-on lids. These are easiest to use when it comes to maneuvering the lid, and they do not leak so you can put whatever you need to in them.
These are great for meal-prepping, storing leftovers, and traveling when you need to take your food on the go! For lunch, in the car, when traveling, etc.
I bought mine a few years ago, and they’re still going strong. Using food storage containers also helped me save money because I use way less resealable plastic bags so I do not need to purchase them nearly as often.
The Benefits of Using Food Storage Containers with Snap-On Lids:
- Use less resealable plastic bags
- Save money by using less resealable plastic bags
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5. Microfiber Towels
Microfiber towels changed my cleaning game. These work wonderfully when you need to clean any surface in your home. My goal with changing to these was to use fewer paper towels.
The number one game-changer for me was cleaning my bathtub. I used to use regular cheap washcloths or paper towels to clean. I would spray the bathroom cleaner and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, with the regular cloth, I would have to scrub hard to get grime off and it was practically a workout to get everything clean.
When I used the microfiber towel, it took ONE swipe to wipe away everything and took a fraction of the time to wipe down the bathtub. It genuinely made a huge difference!
They have also made a difference in cleaning the kitchen. My kitchen countertops inevitably get dirty, and have things cake on them. Microfiber towels do a great job scrubbing at difficult spots, and absorbing more water and cleaning products than paper towels or regular washcloths.
The Benefits of Using Microfiber Towels:
- Use fewer paper towels
- Save money by using less paper towels
- Makes cleaning and wiping down surfaces easier and saves time and effort
6. Silicone Baking Mats
My goal with using Silicone Baking Mats was to use less single-use aluminum foil and parchment paper when cooking.
You can easily clean the Silicone Baking Mats with soap and water, or they’re dishwasher safe making your life that much easier.
I love that these fit perfectly into the rimmed baking sheets I use so I don’t have to deal with pulling out the aluminum foil or parchment paper, trying to measure it out with the baking sheet, and inevitably being frustrated when the foil or paper doesn’t cut cleanly.
You simply put it on the baking sheet and you’re done. It’s great and underrated honestly.
Benefits of using Silicone Baking Mats:
- Use less single-use aluminum foil and parchment paper
- Save money by not having to purchase aluminum foil and parchment paper
- Save time and energy with the mats fitting into the baking sheet perfectly, not having to deal with foil or parchment paper
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7. Reusable Grocery Bags
With the reusable grocery bags swap, I wanted to create less single-use plastic grocery sack waste. Either at grocery stores or any other stores I may be shopping at.
I have regular reusable grocery bags, and insulated reusable grocery bags, as well. These are great for when you want to preserve frozen and cold groceries and products during the warm months of the year or when your products will be in the car for a decent amount of time between driving time or having to make multiple stops.
One main reason I love using reusable bags is that they’re much more durable than single-use plastic bags. Plastic bags are flimsy and can tear easily. Reusable bags usually have better straps on them, as well.
In my experience, grocery stores will use a crazy amount of plastic bags when bagging my groceries or goods and put only a few items in each bag. However, when I take my reusable bags they load them up and use fewer bags. I find that this makes bringing in groceries from the car easier and in fewer trips.
Using bags that have a design I love or just makes me happy motivates me to use them more often. It’s also important to have different-sized bags, as well, for a variety of uses.
It may also be helpful to have designated reusable bags for grocery and other shopping. Sometimes with groceries, remnants of produce can remain in the bag, or sometimes things happen and food can get on the bags. If you’re not wanting to get anything messy on other purchases, such as clothes, makeup, etc. it may be helpful to have different designated bags.
In addition, I recommend having a designated space for the bags in your car that is easy to get to. That way you always have some with you while you’re out, and making them easily accessible will help you remember to take them with you into the store.
The Benefits of Using Reusable Grocery Bags:
- Use fewer single-use plastic bags
- More durability, so you can carry more in a single bag
- Insulated reusable bags can help preserve cold food items and other heat-sensitive products
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Bonus 1: Reusable Water Bottle
This may be cliché, but I am an avid water drinker so it felt wrong not to include it. My goal with using a reusable water bottle was to use fewer single-use plastic water bottles and help me drink more water in general.
My favorite way to drink water is for it to be ice cold, so I prefer using an insulated water bottle. I also enjoy using a 32-ounce or 40-ounce water bottle because it helps me drink more water and I honestly get annoyed if I have to refill my water bottle all the time.
I do recommend getting a water bottle that can fit in your cupholder, if possible. The one I use now does not, and it can be annoying to deal with when traveling.
Another benefit to using reusable water bottles is using fewer glasses in your everyday life. If you’re using a water bottle to drink water instead of a cup, you prevent yourself from using another dish. Any instance to create fewer dishes in my life is a win in my book.
Last but not least, drinking water is SO good for you! Your body needs it to be healthy, it does amazing things for your body. It’s great for digestive health, it’s great for your skin, it increases your energy and helps with fatigue, the list goes on.
The Benefits of Using Reusable Water Bottles:
- Create less single-use plastic water bottle waste
- Save money from having to purchase single-use water bottles
- Use fewer cups and glasses in daily life, creating fewer dishes
- Health benefits from drinking more water
Bonus 2: Kitchen Towels
In the same family as microfiber towels, kitchen towels were another realistic way for me to create less waste when it came to using paper towels.
With this, I recommend having multiple kitchen towels so that you can toss any in the laundry that gets used a lot, get something gross on them, etc. This prevents having to wash fewer towels more often. Having multiple means you can go through them if necessary and have some to spare.
I try and use them in my cooking, as well. When a recipe requires drying off of anything, I grab a clean towel from the drawer and use it instead of a handful of paper towels. For instance, when I make French fries. It requires the potatoes to be soaked in an ice bath and then dried. I will lay out kitchen towels on the counter and press them with an additional towel. Then after they’re dried, I either get another use out of the towel or decide to throw it in the hamper.
The Benefits of Using Kitchen Towels:
- Use fewer paper towels
- Save money by not having to purchase as many paper towels
There you have it, the 7 best budget-friendly swaps to create less waste that you can easily implement into your daily life!
Any step to creating less waste in our everyday lives is a positive in my book. And will make a positive impact in your life, as well as make a positive impact on the planet.
It’s easy to be overwhelmed or feel pressure to be perfect and have zero waste in our lives in every aspect. Although that would be ideal, that isn’t realistic. No matter what you choose to be more conscious of and create less waste, that is important. Anything is better than nothing, and that is something to be proud of and celebrate.
What was your favorite low-cost swap on my Create Less Waste list? Would you add anything to this list? I’d love to know!
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