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36 Sustainable Swaps Under $25 To Make In 2022

New year, new eco-friendly habits (on the cheap).

1. A pack of shockingly absorbent reusable Swedish dishcloths for an eco-friendly alternative to disposable sponges and paper towels. Unlike regular dishcloths, these can be sanitized in the dishwasher or microwave between uses so you know they're not harboring any unwanted germs.

2. A washable sponge to replace the probably-kinda-smelly disposable sponge you're currently using. These work just as well, and can be tossed in the washing machine or dishwasher and reused again and again!

3. Or a pack of plant-based sponges if you're a disposable sponge loyalist, but not a plastic sponge loyalist. This one is specially cut to get into corners and crevices while being made from natural wood pulp with zero plastic or dyes allowing it to biodegrade over time.

4. A pack of refillable K-Cups you can fill with your favorite ground coffee to save loads of money (and plastic).

5. A reusable shopping bag that folds up tiny enough to keep in a purse or backpack so you're always prepared to say no to the inevitable "Do you need a bag?" question.

6. Plus a set of reusable produce bags so you can cut down your single-use plastic consumption at the grocery store or farmers market! Plus, these have a drawstring closure, which is way more convenient than standing in the middle of the aisle trying to knot the top of those flimsy plastic bags.

7. A pack of biodegradable hair ties because they're thick enough and strong enough that you'll actually be sad when you inevitably lose one. Comfort yourself with the fact that they can naturally break down over time, unlike regular plastic-filled ties.

8. Reusable Stasher food storage bags for making it easy to ditch those single-use plastic baggies! These airtight pouches come in a range of sizes and are safe to use in the microwave and freezer. Then just toss 'em in the dishwasher for easy cleaning!

9. A stainless-steel strainer and saucer set to make tea time a zero-waste affair without single-use tea bags (many use plastic sealants and aren't biodegradable). Allow yourself to indulge in some tasty loose-leaf teas at home.

10. Or opt for plant-based tea bags if you just can't say goodbye to the convenience of single-use bags. Every component of this tea (packaging included) is 100% biodegradable.

11. A patented pet hair remover that uses bristles, not sticky tape, to catch lint, meaning you can clean and reuse it over and over and over again. Fido's seemingly endless supply of fur to shed has finally met its zero-waste match.

12. A 16-pack of reusable bamboo makeup remover pads because they're gentler on the planet than cotton and can be reused up to 1,000 times. That's a lot of makeup removed and disposable cotton rounds saved!

a reviewer photo of one of the pads labeled "new" and another that's slightly darker in color labeled "1 month"

13. A makeup erasing cloth so you can gently — but effectively — remove makeup with just a little bit of water. Plus, it's reusable! Once it gets dirty, just toss it in the wash. Makeup wipes, who?

BuzzFeed writer removing bright red lipstick with the makeup erasing cloth

14. A compost bin because composting is debatably one of the greenest things you can do, and this one is sleek enough to leave displayed out on the counter. But only if you want to! It also comes with a mounting bracket for the inside of cabinet doors to conveniently tuck it away.

15. A pack of glass straws you can reuse again and again for all your sustainable sippin' needs! They're wide enough to easily drink your favorite smoothie (and cute to boot).

16. An ingenious collapsible coffee cup to make you feel like Mary Poppins, pulling full-on cups out of your teeny tiny bag and making those essential coffee runs a lot more Earth-friendly in the process.

17. An all-natural shampoo bar if you want to cut single-use plastics out of your haircare routine. Did I mention their formula is vegan and sulfate-free. Oh — and there's plastic-free conditioner, too!

an orange shampoo bar

18. A rechargeable electric lighter that's wind-proof, splash-proof, portable, and just overall very nice to look at. No more empty lighters in the trash with this around!

19. A goat milk body soap bar so you can avoid adding to the tumbling avalanche of half-empty plastic bottles in your shower without sacrificing any of the moisturizing clean your skin craves.

A brown bag with a picture of a goat on it that says "Sally Ander, Almont Goat Milk Soap" sitting next to a pink marbled bar of soap

20. A packable cutlery set because, try as we might, remembering to pack a reusable straw or fork every time we go out is tough. Keep this compact pouch in your go-to bag so you always have that straw (and a lot more) on hand when you need it.

21. A plastic-free food wrap made from biodegradable cotton and beeswax that, unlike plastic wrap, can be reused for up to a year before needing to be replaced.

22. A no-frills bamboo toothbrush with soft charcoal brushes so you can actually follow your dentist's orders and swap your toothbrush every three months without piling up more plastic in the landfill. Over time, this all-natural brush will biodegrade and return to Mama Earth.

23. A reusable cotton swab for cleaning up your ears and cleaning up the planet at the same time by replacing 1,000 single-use swabs.

24. A set of mix-and-match linen napkins if you're a messy eater looking to cut back on your paper towel consumption. These durable linen ones come in customizable packs with a wide range of color options to match your existing decor.

25. Some comfortable period underwear that has the ~absorbency powers~ of up to three regular tampons, making your flow as easy to manage as, well, putting on underwear.

26. A scented shave soap bar so you can get all the moisturizing lather you love from your current shaving cream without the plastic packaging.

the bar soap box next to a round white bar with a windmill carved into it

27. This vegan charcoal dental floss with a refillable glass vial because traditional floss is great for your teeth but bad for the planet (it's usually made from petroleum-based nylon that won't biodegrade) and this bamboo fiber will break down in just 60 to 90 days.

28. A Swiffer Sweeper-compatible microfiber mop pad for a one-time purchase you can use again and again on dry or wet surfaces. Sparkling floors and a permanently shorter shopping list? Yes, please!

29. A plastic-free body lotion concentrate you simply mix with water to make you feel like a sustainability scientist, whipping up plastic-free concoctions with skin-nourishing benefits.

30. And some all-natural toothpaste tablets if you're on the hunt for a plastic-free alternative to traditional tubes that leaves your mouth feeling just as fresh and clean as your conscience does when you reduce waste!

31. Or this super smart naturally sourced toothpaste so you get the squirt tube experience you're used to in a better-for-the-planet metal form that's 100% recyclable.

32. Reusable silicone baking cups that'll free you up to spend more time experimenting with new recipes, and less time at the store buying yet another pack of paper liners.

33. A reusable stainless-steel coffee filter for the pour-over coffee lovers flying through paper filters — and hating it!

34. A dye-free Egyptian shower loofah if you're looking at your mildewy-smelling synthetic one thinking "There's gotta be a better option." You're right! And it looks like this generously sized, biodegradable alternative.

35. A 99% plastic-free natural deodorant that's super affordable and actually works. It's got a barely-there scent that's fit for any and every body, keeps you fresh all day, and is free of any pore-clogging aluminum, parabens, and silicones.

a paper tube of Hey Humans deodorant next to a pile of matcha and some apple slices

36. A pack of extra-large dryer balls made from organic New Zealand wool so you can skip the single-use dryer sheet, cut down on long dry times, and get to your warm, fluffed-up clothes faster.

Six wool dryer balls sitting atop a vine

You reminding single-use plastics who the boss is around here: