8 Sustainable Swaps for That Actually Save You Money

Stasher bags are a durable, reusable alternative to plastic zip-top bags. Made from high-quality, food-grade silicone, they are airtight, leakproof, and safe for the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher. These low-waste bags are perfect for meal prepping, storing snacks, and even sous vide cooking.

While they require an initial investment, they replace hundreds of disposable plastic bags, making them a zero-waste and cost-effective solution over time.

A natural replacement for plastic wrap is Bee’s Wax Wraps, made from organic cotton infused with beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin.

This eco-friendly wrap is flexible, reusable, and perfect for covering bowls, wrapping sandwiches, or keeping cheese fresh.

The breathable beeswax coating helps extend the life of food while eliminating single-use plastic wrap from your kitchen.

The only drawback is that it’s not suitable for raw meat and typically lasts about a year, but with proper care, it’s a fantastic sustainable swap for a low-waste lifestyle.

Glass storage containers are one of the most reliable and long-lasting food storage options. They’re non-toxic, won’t absorb odors, and can go from freezer to oven without issues.

Mason jars, including upcycled pasta sauce or apple sauce jars, are a free and easy way to store leftovers, dry goods, and even smoothies.

While glass is heavier and breakable, it’s an incredibly sustainable choice that lasts for years.

Lightweight and highly durable, metal storage containers are an excellent alternative for storing dry goods, leftovers, and even packed lunches.

Stainless steel options are rust-resistant and BPA-free, making them a great non-toxic swap.

While they’re not microwave-safe, they keep food fresh and often last a lifetime with proper care.

EcoSmart LED bulbs are an affordable, high-efficiency alternative to traditional incandescent lighting. They use up to 90% less energy and can last up to 25,000 hours, making them a cost-effective eco-friendly swap that requires fewer replacements. With consistent brightness and long-term energy savings, these bulbs are an excellent choice for zero waste and low-waste living.

If you want energy-efficient lighting with better color quality, GE Reveal LED bulbs are a great option. They’re designed to enhance natural tones, making rooms feel brighter and more vibrant without harsh glare. These bulbs provide improved visual comfort while still being a sustainable and low-energy alternative to incandescent lights.

For those who want smart lighting without the high price tag, Philips WiZ Connected bulbs are a budget-friendly sustainable swap to Philips Hue.

They offer dimming, color tuning, and app-based controls without needing a separate hub. These bulbs let you customize your lighting while using a fraction of the energy of traditional bulbs—making them an eco-friendly and cost-saving solution.

The Tapo Multicolor Smart Bulb is another cost-effective LED option that combines energy savings with customization.

It offers a wide range of colors and dimming settings, making it perfect for small apartments where lighting needs change throughout the day. Plus, it connects to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and can be controlled via an app or voice assistant for maximum convenience..

Seventh Generation’s water-activated powder is a game-changer if you’re looking for a powerful yet eco friendly degreaser.

Packaged in a recyclable steel container, it eliminates grease and disinfects surfaces without leaving behind harmful residues. Unlike traditional sprays, it doesn’t contribute to plastic waste and is free from synthetic dyes or fragrances.

The downside? It requires mixing with water, but the long-term sustainability benefits outweigh the extra step.

For a multi-purpose, fragrance-free option, Branch Basics Concentrate is an excellent choice.

Made from plant-based ingredients like organic chamomile and baking soda, this cleaner is fully biodegradable and gentle enough for people with sensitivities. It’s designed to be diluted for different uses, meaning one bottle replaces multiple cleaning products—saving money and reducing clutter in a low-waste home.

The only drawback? You need to mix it for different applications, but this also makes it incredibly versatile.

Blueland’s tablet-based cleaning system is an innovative sustainable swap for reducing plastic waste. Instead of buying new bottles, you just drop a cleaning tablet into a reusable spray bottle, add water, and it’s ready to use.

It’s non-toxic, cruelty-free, and free from synthetic fragrances, parabens, and petrochemicals. The tablets are small and easy to store, making them perfect for a low-waste, eco-friendly apartment. While the initial purchase includes the bottle, the refill tablets are much cheaper, making it a cost-effective swap over time.

This compact and highly energy-efficient showerhead is perfect for those who want maximum water savings without sacrificing pressure. It uses just 1.5 gallons per minute (GPM) while delivering a powerful, steady stream.

Ideal for renters, it saves up to 40% of water compared to standard models, helping you cut down on both water and heating costs. The only downside? It doesn’t offer adjustable spray settings, but its efficiency and strong water pressure make up for it.

A great option if you want water savings without losing the feel of a full, luxurious shower. The Kohler Forté conserves around 30% more water than traditional models while maintaining consistent water pressure and coverage.

It’s a durable, long-lasting choice, though it’s slightly more expensive than other models. The long-term savings offset the cost, making it a money-saving sustainable swap for renters and homeowners alike.

For those who prefer handheld showerheads, Lokby’s 1.8 GPM design offers flexibility while still being 30% more energy-efficient than standard models. It comes with multiple spray settings and is easy to install, making it perfect for renters who want a quick, impactful upgrade.

A budget-friendly pick (~$20 USD), this showerhead uses laminar flow technology to create high-velocity water jets while saving water. It’s designed to increase water pressure while using less water, making it ideal for apartments with low-pressure systems.

Nylon shopping bags are one of the best all-purpose eco-friendly swaps for plastic bags. They are lightweight, durable, water-resistant, and easy to fold into a compact size.

Many designs can carry up to 50 pounds without stretching or tearing, making them a reliable choice for groceries, errands, or travel.

One of the most well-known brands in this category is Baggu, which is loved for its fun patterns, reinforced stitching, and long-lasting quality.

For a classic, stylish alternative, canvas totes are sturdy, spacious, and versatile. Many designs come with extra pockets for better organization, and they can be folded flat for easy storage. Great for groceries, shopping, or even doubling as an everyday bag.

If you buy a lot of fruits, vegetables, or bulk goods, these breathable, stretchable bags are a must-have. Unlike plastic produce bags, they allow air circulation, keeping fruits and veggies fresh longer. Plus, they help you reduce low-waste shopping habits while being a simple sustainable swap for plastic produce bags.

One of the best-known smart thermostats, the Google Nest Thermostat adapts to your schedule and automatically adjusts to save energy. You can control it from your phone and check real-time energy reports to see where you’re saving.

A budget-friendly option, this thermostat is ENERGY STAR® certified and works with Alexa for voice control. It automatically lowers energy usage when you’re away, making it perfect for small apartments.

This thermostat comes with built-in room sensors to monitor temperature across your space. It works with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant, and even has an occupancy detection feature to only heat or cool rooms in use.

If you can’t install a full smart thermostat, try plug-in smart temperature controllers like the Sensibo Sky (for AC units) or tado° Smart Radiator Thermostat (for radiator heating). These don’t require wiring changes, making them a renter-friendly way to cut down on energy waste while staying energy efficient.

Bokashi composting is an odor-free, space-saving solution that fits perfectly under the sink, on a balcony, or in a pantry. Unlike traditional composting, this method ferments food scraps instead of decomposing them, meaning it works quickly and doesn’t attract pests. You layer food scraps with bokashi bran, and within weeks, you’ll have a pre-compost mixture that can be buried in the soil or added to a larger compost system.

If you have a little extra space, a worm bin is another fantastic composting option for apartments. Red worms break down food scraps into a rich, nutrient-dense compost called vermicast. This method is fast, odor-free, and easy to maintain, making it ideal for sustainable apartment living. Stackable worm bins like the VermiHut system maximize space and keep the process contained, but you can also DIY a worm bin using a simple plastic storage container.

For a low-maintenance, high-tech option, electric composters turn food scraps into soil-like material in just a few hours. These compact devices eliminate odors and don’t require sorting or turning. The Lomi electric composter is a well-known choice, but some more budget-friendly models work just as well. If you live in a zero-waste household or a sustainable apartment, an automatic composter lets you embrace low-effort sustainable swaps without any extra effort.

If you have a small garden or even a balcony, a compact outdoor compost bin can help you compost on-site. Some cities also offer community compost drop-off programs, where you can collect food scraps in a compost container and drop them off at a designated site. Collapsible compost bins work well for small outdoor spaces, and many local municipalities provide free composting services—check your city’s waste management website!

Disposable razors contribute to plastic pollution, and replacement cartridges add up in cost over time. A stainless steel safety razor is a zero-waste alternative that lasts a lifetime, with affordable, recyclable blades. If you’re new to safety razors, choose one with a long handle and a butterfly opening for easier blade changes.

Tampons and pads generate a significant amount of plastic waste, but sustainable swaps offer a comfortable and waste-free alternative:

• Menstrual cups (such as DivaCup) are durable and reusable for up to 10 years, making them a cost-effective option.
• Period underwear is washable and absorbent, eliminating the need for disposable products.
• Reusable cloth pads feel just like traditional pads but can be washed and reused for years.

For travel and convenience, menstrual cups are a space-saving solution that lets you go zero waste on the go.

Most plastic toothbrushes end up in landfills, but a bamboo toothbrush is biodegradable and just as effective. For toothpaste, consider refillable toothpaste tablets, which come in glass jars or compostable packaging—a simple way to reduce plastic waste. Many brands now offer fluoride toothpaste tablets, so you don’t have to compromise on dental care.

Traditional shampoo bottles pile up quickly, but these sustainable swaps offer a zero-waste solution:

• Shampoo and conditioner bars last longer than liquid products and eliminate plastic waste.
• Refillable body wash comes in glass or aluminum bottles, with options to buy in bulk and cut down on packaging waste.
• Soap bars with compostable packaging are a simple and effective eco-friendly swap.

To extend the life of shampoo bars, store them in a well-draining soap dish so they don’t dissolve too quickly.

Makeup wipes and disposable cotton pads are single-use items that add up fast. Instead, opt for washable cotton rounds, which can be used, washed, and reused indefinitely. For ear cleaning, a reusable silicone ear cleaner replaces thousands of disposable cotton swabs while being gentle and effective.

Choosing organic cotton reusable pads is even better for your skin, as they are softer, chemical-free, and more sustainable.