16 Sustainable Alternatives To Everyday Items You Use

You can even upgrade your dog waste bags.

1. Plastic Water Bottles

Larry Washburn / Getty Images, Slpu9945 / Getty Images

It's estimated that over 50 billion water bottles are bought each year in America. That adds up to a LOT of trash. Do your part by bringing your own water bottle everywhere you go instead.

2. Toilet Paper

Daj / Getty Images, amazon.com

Now don't worry, I'm not going to try and convince you to use a family cloth — even though that's great for the environment! — because sometimes you just want to be able to flush your waste down the toilet. Help the killing of trees and buy some bamboo-based toilet paper instead! Bamboo is actually a weed and is an excellent sustainable alternative to cutting down trees in all sorts of products, many of which you'll see throughout this list.

Grab 12 of the above rolls from Amazon for $14.99.

3. Plastic Bags

Shana Novak / Getty Images, amazon.com

Currently, it's estimated that we use over 4 trillion plastic bags each year throughout the world. Take yourself out of that equation by bringing your own bags with you when you shop. You can use your regular backpack or purse (if they're big enough), or invest in a shopping bag that folds up so that you can take them anywhere.

Get a set of 5 reusable bags that fold at Amazon for $13.99.

4. Coffee Cups

Martin Holtkamp / Getty Images

We all love our morning cup of joe. But if you have to grab it on the go, do the world a favor and bring your own cup along with you! People seem to really like the Keepcup (above), which can be found at Amazon for $28.

5. Sandwich Bags

Fuse / Getty Images, amazon.com

Use less plastic when you bring your lunch by swapping sandwich bags for a sturdy reusable set, like the one above from Amazon for $11.99. Or, you can opt for reusable silicone bags or biodegradable bags as well.

6. Plastic Straws

Juan Jose Lopez Brotons / Getty Images, amazon.com

By now you've surely heard all about why plastic straws are terrible for the planet. Get on board by purchasing your own reusable straw, like this glass straw and metal straw, or go for some heavy duty recyclable paper straws or these PLA-based compostable straws.

Grab the above set of 200 biodegradable straws at Amazon for $11.98.

7. Razors

David Muir / Getty Images, preserve.eco

Ditch your plastic razor — especially the disposable, one-time-use kind! — and buy a razor that's been made from recycled materials instead. Pick up the Preserve razor above at Amazon for $9.81.

8. Liquid Soap

R. Sadel / Getty Images, Jon Bradley / Getty Images

Liquid soap is convenient and all, but the plastic bottles they come in (and that we throw away after) are not recyclable. Instead of liquid soap at your sink, opt for a pretty bar of soap in a dish instead. Or, if you feel the need to pump your liquid soap, invest in soap dispensers that you can refill each time instead. Every little bit helps!

9. Dental Floss

James Worrell / Getty Images, amazon.com

Regular dental floss can't be recycled, but you can seek out biodegradable versions made from better sources. You can grab the above vegan floss (made from a plant and featuring a reusable container) from Amazon for $13.99.

10. Parchment Paper

Agnese Siciliano / Getty Images, amazon.com

For people who love to cook in their ovens, here's a tip for you, too: swap the aluminum foil and parchment paper for silicone baking mats that you can wash and reuse. You should find that they make for an equal swap for what you'd previously been using, but if you must use some kind of paper, try this brand of unbleached parchment paper that's made from 100% recycled paper.

Get the above set of 3 from Amazon for $13.99.

11. Tea Bags

Envision / Getty Images, amazon.com

Instead of relying on packaged tea bags, save the planet AND your wallet by investing in a tea infuser that you can fill with loose leaf teas to reuse again and again. You might find that you really get into combining different herbs and tea blends, hooray for new hobbies!

Get the infuser above at Amazon for $6.99.

12. Tupperware

Sara Danielsson / Getty Images, amazon.com

Ditch your old, plastic tupperware that will eventually deteriorate and upgrade to some glass containers instead. These won't break (unless you drop them) and are dishwasher safe. Or, you know, just use some mason jars you already have around the house!

Get the above set of 20 glass food storage containers for $57.99.

13. Produce Bags

Skip Dean / Getty Images, amazon.com

Bring your own reusable produce bags instead of taking plastic ones from the store!

Get the above set of nine mesh produce bags at Amazon for $14.97.

14. Dryer Sheets

amazon.com

If you have a dryer and haven't yet tried using a set of dryer balls, prepare to be stunned! Somehow, these balls usually made from rubber or wool actually get rid of wrinkles and keep your towels nice and fluffy. Get the above set of 4 from Amazon for $9.99.

15. Toothbrushes

St_fano De Florenzano / Getty Images, amazon.com

Instead of buying plastic toothbrushes, buy toothbrushes made from bamboo instead! The above pack of 4 can be found at Amazon for $6.99.

16. Dog Waste Bags

Alynst / Getty Images, biobagusa.com

Instead of using a plastic bag for your pupper's poo, opt for a biodegradable version instead. Get 45 waste bags at Amazon for $4.98.