If you follow me on Instagram you know that reducing single use plastics and being sustainable in my home has been my goal for the last 2 years. Baby steps in the right direction to help make proactive and productive improvements to save the Earth. First we cut out single use water bottles and then I transitioned from Tampons to wearing a cup. While these little improvements seem little, their impact can be HUGE.

Did you know a single person uses 167 water bottles per year? That adds up to about 35 billion water bottles and only 12% of them end up recycled. THAT’S A BUST! Plastic water bottles also take up to 700 years to biodegrade. The bottle you use today will be around for 7 generations. Not worth it y’all. Source.

So in my journey to sustainable living and single use plastic reduction, I have found a few notable products that make my life SO MUCH EASIER. I don’t feel like I am sacrificing anything and I am making an impact.

Stasher Bags

I have used a bunch of different multi use “ziploc” alternatives over the last few years and by FAR the Stasher bag is the ultimate get. They are dishwasher safe, microwave ready and freezer friendly. They come in a ton of different sizes and have options like stand up bags too + they have options to get chic colors that match your aesthetic. We have the Quartz Pink it gives me just a touch of girlyness in this household of men.

CandyLab Cars

This one is more for Logan than me but when I started looking into the process of mass produced toy manufacturing and craftsmanship, I sought out more eco-friendly toys for splurges here and there. CandyLab Cars is 10/10 Logan’s favorite toy to play with and I buy them ALL THE TIME! They constantly have new collections coming out and they are durable.

Click here to check out my Sustainable Toy Amazon Shop for more options!

LastObject

LastObject was created to provide sustainable alternatives to single use products. Their goal is to eliminate plastic pollution, and reduce waste. Their products range from reusable swabs, makeup rounds, and tissues. All you do is use them, throw them in their laundry bag, wash as usual and VOILA.

A cotton swab that tasks up to 1000 swabs and cotton rounds that are multi-use! I personally keep the tissues in our diaper bag for quick clean ups and toss them right into the wash. They have been awesome enough to give me a promo code just for you — Use code BOSSFIDENCE10 at checkout to save 10%!

Dropps

So I was influenced to buy this product because of their hilarious commercial with their CEO in a bath tub! Made me laugh so hard that I had to check it out. Once I started looking into it more I loved the fact that not only were their products dye-free, phthalate-free, phosphate-free and animal-cruelty-free; they also have compostable packing and their shipping process is 100% carbon-neutral.

Does it get much better? YUP. Because they have stain & odor detergent, dishwasher detergent, an oxi-booster and even unscented detergent for little baby skin! The lavender eucalyptus scent gives me LIFE. BONUS — the price point is VERY reasonable. You can get 210 loads for $49.50 when you subscribe, thats only 23 cents per load!

Fruit Food Saver Pods

When you eat avocados and lemons like me, you need to be able to save the other half for later. Honestly a day does not go by that I don’t slice into an avo or lemon for something or another! Lemon water OBSESSED is an understatement.

While I love my Stasher bags, I have other things I need to use them for and I saw these adorable pods on Amazon that have changed my life! They keep my fruit so fresh and ready for consumption.

I cannot rave about them more. + by ditching single use ziploc that you know you wrap these in, you’re helping the planet while eating well.

Reusable Produce Bags

Now I discovered these at the beginning of the pandemic when I could’t bring my own bags and it was a bummer because I was so excited to ditch the plastic bags for fruit & veggies. Even though Trader Joe’s bags are compostable, it still just makes me feel uncomfortable.

I love that they come in multiple sizes and also are color coordinated so I can keep tabs on what I am reaching for in my fridge. I just toss them in the wash after every use and leave out to dry then stash them in my other reusable shopping bags and SHOP SHOP SHOP!

My Favorite Cup

I am the girl who goes on a road trip or to the zoo with my 1/2 gallon HydroJug in tow so I don’t have to buy a water bottle and I can refill Logan’s easily. The only time I will grab a plastic water bottle is when I am DESPERATE of thirst with no other option in sight or I want a Pellegrino (I will get into carbonated water next). Like I said I am on a journey and not perfect BUT eliminating single use plastic water bottles was the first step I took in our more sustainable household. It made me cringe to buy plastic bottles for our hurricane kit but it was kind of necessary if the power went out. I think the planet will forgive me *fingers crossed*. I live by a reusable Starbucks cup because I am a HEAVY straw user (will also get to that too). But, I have yet to find a cup that keeps my drink cold and my ice icey like a good ole fashioned Yeti! I have had mine for almost 5 years and it still does the DAMN THANG.

SodaStream Sparkling Water Maker

At one point Brian and I were downing 4-5 La Croix’s a day! The cans on cans were becoming heavily problematic and I could tell we needed another solution.

So I bought a SodaStream to help curve the cans. We love it because it comes with a BPA free bottle to enjoy our fizzy water and the CO2 can it comes with that be consistently exchanged at retailers for proper recycling and disposal. Thats a 10/10 if I have ever seen one.

I alternate pretty regularly throughout the day on flat and sparkling water, so knowing I am being more proactive at both makes me feel good!

Metal Straws

I used to be obsessed with silicone straws but once I got a metal one, it was an obvious choice. This one is strictly preference, I love the way ice cold water tastes through a metal straw. I know, it’s weird AF but it is what it is.

The benefit of metal straws is that they last FOREVER. I bought the ones we currently have on a whim 7 years ago and they have survived 3 moves and countless cups of H2O. Best part is they barely cost me anything! $7 for 12 straws of different lengths and 6 of them have a bended tip for an easy sip!

Bentgo Lunch Box

I bought these at the suggestion of my friend Lauren for Logan to take on drives so he can have an assortment of snacks and even fit a sandwich for when he starts Pre-School.

I love how durable they are, compact and that they don’t leak + microwave safe so I can heat up my lunch in the office! This takes away from the traditional plastic bags for sandwiches and brown bags to carry it all. Just pop it in a reusable lunch bag and GO. No worries for leaks and spills because it stays AIR TIGHT!

The tray on the inside where you put your food is removable for easy cleaning and to make it a little easier for little hands to manage.

Whenever I find an innovative and simple option to make a sustainable swap, I do it every single time. It isn’t about me trying to be cool and trendy but more providing a stepping stone towards the planet Logan will inherit. I know that 100% sustainability isn’t attainable for me right now but anything I can do to make an impact is better than nothing at all.

I encourage you to look at all of the single use items that you have in your home and try and find a sustainable swap. Some might be fails, for us our fail was compostable trash bags, they just kept tearing through every single time. But we have had plenty of wins as you can see above and that’s all it takes. 1 win, 1 at a time for our 1 planet.

Hit me up on Instagram for some of your favorite sustainable swaps so I can check them out!

This blog post contains affiliate links in which I make a commission!