19 Products That Actually Reuse A Bunch Of Recycled Plastic And Paper

And glass, and aluminum. Because every little bit counts.

1. Notebooks and composition books with lined pages made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste paper so all your thoughts, feelings, and notes can have a big impact on you, but not the planet.

Amazon

The books are all printed with soy ink, which make it easy for the paper to be recycled again at the end of its life.

Promising review: "I love this composition notebook. The artwork is just what I wanted and included a sketch of the moon (which made my day to see). The pages, though felt pens will bleed through, are relatively thick and not cheap." —Rachael

Get them on Amazon: the "Andes" design for $8, the Celestial design for $9.99, or view all of the designs.

2. A reusable, insulated, leak-proof travel mug because besides replacing the dozens of single-use coffee cups you use in a month, its plastic is strengthened by six more of those shredded, recycled, single-use coffee cups.

Uncommon Goods

It's designed to be used for up to 10 years or more, and if the rubber seals ever wear out, you can send them to the cup company to get them replaced. One mug is 40% post-consumer waste content, and can be recycled curbside at the end of its life.

Promising review: "Use it to take coffee to work stuffed in a computer bag on the subway. Doesn't break, spill, or affect taste, coffee does cool a bit during my hour commute." —Janet

Get it from Uncommon Goods for $12.99 or Amazon for $22.95.

3. A bottle of Dr. Bronner's Castile soap that has a powerful, concentrated cleaning formula to tackle dishes, stains, laundry, and even normal hand-washing or washing the dog.

Amazon

It's packed in a 100% recycled post-consumer waste plastic bottle and made with plant-based vegan ingredients. You do need to dilute it to use it — I usually add a couple of drops for every 1/2 cup of water or so — but it really does clean well.

Promising review: "I've been using this soap for a while now, it's excellent stuff! Unscented means NO scent, which is great for the sensitive noses in my household. I use it for bathing and house cleaning, a little really does go a long way. I also use various scented Dr. Bronner's in my housekeeping business, it's that good. Gentle on skin, clean ingredient list, effective and multipurpose product." —opal

Get a pack of two bottles on Amazon for $19.99 (also available in many scents and as soap bars; see the full Amazon selection).

4. A pack of three Allbirds shoelaces — whether you wear their shoes or not, the next time you need new laces, you have a source that uses 100% recycled post-consumer water bottles.

Allbirds

Which does still mean when/if you wash 'em, they (and all other products made with recycled plastic water bottles) could be releasing microplastics into the wastewater; to help catch most of those, you might want to try the Guppyfriend Washing Bag.

Get a set of three from Allbirds for $10 (available in three sets of three colors each).

5. A luminous recycled glass nightlight that features a unicorn to scare away any of the monsters that might lurk under the bed.

Uncommon Goods

The artisans use 100% post-consumer waste bottle glass for the decoration, an energy efficient kiln, and all the pieces are packed in 100% recycled material, too. The total post-consumer waste content is about 50%, though, because (thankfully!) the plug, lightbulb, and plastic base are all new.

Here's more info about the process.

Get it from Uncommon Goods for $38 (also available in nine other designs).

6. A heavy duty minimalist wall hook so you can hang towels, jackets, bags, and scarves wherever is most convenient, and try to resist telling all your visitors that the hooks are made from recycled milk jugs.

Room & Board

They don't give a percentage, but they do say they're primarily made from post-consumer plastic products.

Promising review: "I needed a hook that did not exceed 1" in depth for use in bathroom next to the shower. This is the only hook I found that had such a low profile. It's perfect for my needs and I purchased in white and it just fades into the wall." —Doris

Get it from Room & Board for $20 (available in white, light grey, and dark grey).

7. A pair of Rothy's washable flats, which can last for literally years and still look brand new (unlike those leather or pleather flats you've replaced yearly because they got stinky and wore out) and are made from 100% PCR plastic water bottles.

Rothy's / instagram.com, Sheera Frenkel / BuzzFeed

I've owned and loved my one pair of these since 2017, when a few of us first reviewed 'em. They are by far the pair of shoes I wear most often (my Birks come in close second), precisely because — besides being incredibly comfortable, especially once they form to your feet — they're so easy to wash the moment they start to smell. I usually gently hand wash 'em with a scrub brush in my tub because I live in NYC and don't have access to one in my apartment, but I've washed them in a machine several times back at my parents place and they hold up really well. TBH mine STILL look as new as they did when I first got them, and FWIW I find I can wear mine for a couple of weeks before they get stinky (unlike the reviewer below). I'm wearing them right now! And yes, they're made from 100% PCR plastic water bottles — here's some pictures of the process (although yes, that means they may be another candidate for the microplastic-catching the Guppyfriend Washing Bag). Oh, and their boxes and shipping are sustainable, too.

Promising review: "I love these shoes, and will slowly build up a wardrobe of them. Right now I have black and navy. The black are more than a year old (have been washed more times than I can remember) and are still in great shape, so I feel like they are worth the investment. They are incredibly comfortable. Only real downside: they do make your feet stink after a few (5–10) wears, but then it's just time to throw them in the wash and all is well. Mainly an issue when I am wearing them day after day in the summer." —Karen W.

Get them from Rothy's for $125+ (five styles available in many colors and patterns; sizes 5–12, including half sizes).

8. A set of six multi-color, mouth-blown stemless wine glasses perfect for both big parties — because you'll never have to answer the "wait, which glass was mine?" question ever again — and enjoying a pop of color even on more ordinary days.

Uncommon Goods

They're made from 80% recycled materials, and some varying percentage of that is post-consumer recycled glass. Each one has its unique ridges and bubbles because they're mouth-blown.

Promising review: "Love these ombré glasses! The thick glass feels hearty in your hand. The uniqueness of each one just adds to the charm!." —Trey

Get the set of six from Uncommon Goods for $85.

9. An outdoor tumbling composter so you can take your recycling to the next level, and turn your food scraps and yard waste into nourishing compost for all the plants in your yard.

Amazon

It's made from BPA free, UV inhibited, 100% recycled post-consumer plastic that won't degrade in the sun. It uses two chambers so you can always have one "cooking", and the other gathering stuff to cook. The tumbler design means you just have to close the door and turn it five times or so every few days, no need for a shovel.

Promising review: "I live in Chicago, so if you're in the city, it's great. Allows you to compost and won't attract wildlife (for us, rats). Holds a fair amount of compost, two apartments could probably share pending overall waste. You need to combine it with a dry source like leaves or mulch; we're mindful to add used paper towels (w/o chemicals), tissues, paper bags etc. instead. It will drip and smell a little until it's ready, so it needs to be tucked away somewhere. Best on the ground instead of cement. The Not So Good: The sliding door design freezes in the winter, and the side vents close on their own. Conclusion: Great (and could use improvement)." —Adam Smith

Get it on Amazon for $79.93.

10. A pack of thank you cards — they're technically designed for a baby shower but IMO would work for all sorts of occasions.

Amazon

They're made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper.

Promising review: "My daughter is graduating high school and was looking for something more than run-of-the mill cards to give to special teachers. Anyone who is looking for well-made, watercolor thank you cards, who also love sea life, should buy these. The box could be a keep sake!" —Smehalek

Get them on Amazon for $12.95+ (also available as blank, without the "thank you".)

11. Some cactus print wrapping paper or metallic gift bags because if your gifts are going to be eco-friendly, it's probably a good thing if the wrapping is, too!

Paper Source

The wrapping paper is printed on 100% recycled, 30% post-consumer waste paper. Get a two-sheet roll from Paper Source for $9.95.

The gift bags use 40% post-consumer waste and are printed with water-based natural inks; get sets of three from Paper Source for $3.95 in silver, gold, or navy.

12. This Patagonia long-sleeved tee — each one is made from 4.8 post-consumer recycled water bottles, 0.26 pounds of fabric scrap, and saves 63 gallons of water compared to your standard t-shirt.

Patagonia

That makes it 50% recycled cotton and 50% post-consumer recycled polyester. Of course, it's also Fair Trade Certified sewn.

Promising review: "Very comfortable and I love the coloring on the logo. Great to wear even in the summer." —Amanda W.

Get it from Patagonia for $45 (available in sizes XS–XL and three colors) or see all of Patagonia's products made with some percentage of recycled PCW content.

13. Some Grove Collaborative trash bags because even if you do your best to minimize trash pretty much everyone still has some, and this helps you avoid throwing out new plastic along with your other random scraps.

Grove Collaborative

They're made from 100% post consumer–recycled plastic, are BPA-free, come in both a draw string and a wave top style (depending on your preference) and are ultra strong and durable.

Promising review: "These are absolutely my favorite thing I've received in my Grove order. They're just as sturdy as my store brand and I love that no new plastic is being created to make them which is good because we go through so many (we live in the south and don't want to attract bugs!). So far I've never had ink rub off (and I've purposefully tried) and I've never had one tear or leak. And I've gone through a LOT of rolls." —Heather L.

Get a roll of 20 bags from Grove for $4.95. Ziploc also makes 100% PCR trash bags; those are $19.10 for 40 on Amazon.

14. A durable floating squeaky ball for your dog so you can enjoy hours of playtime together and even if the ball does end up destroyed, at least it gave the plastic a second life.

Amazon

If you have a nearby lake, it also is a "super float" toy so your dog can find it easily in the water!

Promising review: "These are my dogs absolute favorite balls! We first found them at REI and we've been hooked ever since. He does eventually tear it up, but it takes him a long while to get to that point. They are great balls for playing catch!" —Ashley W

Get it from Amazon for $15.14.

The company, Cycle Dog, makes lots of other recycled pet products; check out their full Amazon selection for things like dog collars, collapsible bowls, and harnesses!

15. A one subject college ruled–notebook so you can jot down every single thought you have knowing the paper you use can give you peace of mind.

Amazon

It's 100% recycled, with 30% post-consumer materials. Reviewers note that it doesn't work with fountain pens, because the paper's too thin, but that gel ink pens work perfectly fine.

Promising review: "I have been using this same notebook since high school (eight years) because it truly is the best quality notebook and paper that you will find. The notebook is expensive, however, it is very durable and the paper isn't easily torn, nor will gel ink pens bleed through." —NathanK98

Get them on Amazon for $7.89 each (available in six colors, although unfortunately you don't get to choose your color).

16. A pair of workout leggings because that way your exercise regimen can be good for you *and* help the planet.

Girlfriend Collective

It's made from 79% rPET (recycled PET, or #1, plastic; in this case, it's water bottles collected and processed in Taiwan). These are another good candidate for the Guppyfriend Washing Bag, which helps catch microplastics before they get rinsed out in your wastewater.

Get them from Girlfriend Collective for $68 (available in sizes XS–XL and six colors).

17. A bulk pack of Seventh Generation 100% recycled toilet paper that will be plenty comfortable and strong to use, plus just might help save energy, water, and air pollution in addition to y'know, reusing some of that paper we've all been recycling for so long.

Amazon

According to Your Best Digs, recycled toilet paper takes 64% less energy and 50% less water to produce, and makes 74% less air pollution. And Seventh Generation bath tissue is made with a minimum of 50% post consumer recycled paper.

Promising review: "it's straight up multi-ply toilet paper that comes from recycled material. Its not super soft but its not rough. Its not quilted and cottony, its toilet paper. It gets the job done and if you are an environmentalist it does it in a way that you don't feel bad for having used it. That is five stars in my book. We get a case on subscription every couple months which for some reason is always amusing to talk about with others. Try it ... a tree-hugger will thank you for it." —C

Get a pack of 48 rolls on Amazon for $27.58.

18. An aluminum storage clipboard if you happen to randomly need one, because it's made with durable recycled aluminum and overall 89% recycled materials with at least 30% of it being post-consumer.

Amazon

Promising review: "I am a mechanical engineering student at a large state university and many of my classes are held in 300+ seat lecture halls. The few seats with left-handed desks are often in poor locations or are all taken by the time I get there. This device allows me to comfortable write and take notes at any seat, even if there is no desk attached to it. This clip board also allows me to keep all the items I need on a day to day basis in one convenient location. 10/10 would recommend to any left-handed person tired of writing in awkward positions!" —David Gardner

Get it on Amazon for $19.28.

19. A bag of FreshNews *siren* non-tracking!! *siren* cat litter made completely from post consumer paper collected as part of a fundraiser for various organizations in Michigan and Indiana.

Amazon, amazon.com

It seems like lots of different organizations can sign up to do it, but it's all post-consumer.

Promising review: "This litter has ZERO tracking. I no longer have to vacuum my floor every single day. This litter also keeps odors under control so well; it feels so wonderful walking into our apartment and not smelling our two cats at all! It does take learning a new way to clean your box. To me, it's totally and completely worth it. It doesn't clump, but the rolled paper pieces will swell when dirty. So really, you just scoop out the "clumps" of soiled litter and any poo you might find. It takes a minute or two longer, but as I said, ABSOLUTELY worth it for me." —C. Siebe

Get it on Amazon for $6.98.

And a bonus colorful doormat — while it's not technically made from post-consumer waste flip-flops, it's made from scraps reclaimed from a flip-flop manufacturer, you can still feel good about it every time you walk out the door.

Kalalou

Promising review: "Very sturdy. Looks like this will last for years to come. I like the different colors and it's easy to clean; just hose off and dry." —cg, california

Get it on Amazon: the pictured 30"x20" for $43.95, or a 20"x48" for $67.95. (There's also one made from recycled tires for $22.33+, and available in 16 sizes because it can also function as a work mat.)

You to everyone, when you show off your ~recycled~ products:

Comedy Central

The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.

Curious about other products that might help the environment? Check out eco-friendly products on Amazon or cheap products to replace disposable plastic.

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