18 Sustainable Swaps You Can Do That Won't Break The Bank

Yeah you know all about KeepCups and metal straws, so here are some more obscure swaps.

1. Get take-away food in your own containers.

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If you often buy take-away food, instead of getting it in a disposable plastic container bring your own reusable one. If you ask nicely before ordering, chances are they'll be more than happy to oblige. Keep clean Tupperware at your office desk to take out with you when you buy lunch.

2. And take them to the butcher, too.

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Butchers will normally always be happy to put whatever meat you buy inside your own container, instead of a plastic bag. They can just weigh the empty container, and detract the weight from the final result.

3. Get some reusable cutlery to take around with you.

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Sometimes you have to eat out, so instead of using their plastic forks and knives, carry around a reusable set with you. You can get some cool bamboo ones, or a metal set if you hate eating from wooden cutlery.

4. And don't get cutlery when you order in food.

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If you're ordering food to your house, you definitely don't need plastic cutlery from the store. Some food delivery services like Deliveroo give you the option to refuse cutlery, otherwise just put a little note in "special requests" saying you don't need cutlery.

5. Buy veggies at markets or greengrocers.

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Buying vegetables at supermarkets is so convenient, but often pretty laden with plastic. At markets or small fruit shops, you can bring your own produce bags and avoid a lot of the unnessecary packaging.

And if you buy things like berries or cherry tomatoes, most small greengrocers will encourage you to bring back the plastic tub they come in, which they'll re-use.

6. Buy fresh bread.

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Most loaves of bread you buy from the supermarket will be packaged in plastic. Try to find a bakery near you which will wrap your purchase in a paper bag instead.

7. Switch up your toilet paper brand.

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A lot of toilet paper comes in plastic wrap, but there are some good brands out there that only use paper. Try Who Gives A Crap, which is made with with recyclable materials, and the company donates 50% of their profits to help improve sanitation and build toilets in the developing world.

8. For plastic-packed food items that are unavoidable, buy in bulk where you can.

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Obviously if you live in a tiny apartment, this mightn't be ideal. But any time that you can buy food in bulk, do it. Choose that 5kg bag of nuts instead of the 250g bag – it might take you longer to get through, but there's a lot less plastic involved.

9. Use plastic-free cosmetics.

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Wherever you can, try to buy products that don't have packaging. You don't have to go out now and buy all new stuff, but next time you run out of shampoo, try replacing it with a solid bar, like this one from Lush. Or use simple bar soaps instead of body washes in the shower.

10. Get some bee's wax wraps.

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These work just as well as cling wrap, but are way better for the planet. You can make your own, or get some really well-reviewed ones online.

11. Give up gum.

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Did you know gum contains plastic? Either opt for a plastic-free brand, switch to mints, or go without.

12. Embrace period pants or a cup.

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If you're not used to it, this can sound like a gross option. But everyone who switches to menstrual cups or absorbent underwear swears by it, so it might be something worth trying out.

13. Invest in a good razor.

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Instead of buying disposable razors, get a good-quality handle, and change the blades when you need. Or take it a step further and go completely plastic-free with a safety razor.

14. Avoid microbeads.

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Microbeads are those tiny beads you'll find in some exfoliating products. They're actually made of plastic and don't dissolve in water, so they end up in the oceans and in the stomachs of marine life. They're banned in a few countries like Canada, the US, and France, but if you live outside there, try to only buy products with natural alternatives to microbeads, like this solid body scrub – or just use a loofah.

15. Skip teabags.

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Most major teabag companies make their bags with plastic, not paper. Instead of creating this unnessecary waste, switch to loose-leaf tea. Keep it in a cute tin, and if you can, buy it from a bulk food store so you can BYO container for it.

16. Rethink your dental routine.

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Swap out your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one with natural bristles, and maybe even replace your usual floss brand with a biodegradable alternative.

17. Get flannel cloths to remove makeup.

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If you use cotton wipes or makeup wipes to clean your face, why not switch them for a reusable alternative? A flannel face washer or cotton cloth rounds will work perfectly with a little makeup remover or sorbolene. You can even make your own out of old sweatshirts.

18. Carry a fold-up bag with you everywhere.

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If you find that you're always forgetting your reusable bags, and have to get a plastic one from the shop, make it even easier on yourself. This brand makes wallets with fold-out bags hidden inside, so you've always got one on you.