7 Simple Eco-Friendly Living Swaps You Can Make Today

Ready to shrink your footprint without overhauling your life? These seven bite‑sized eco-friendly living swaps are perfect for busy people who want to do a little good each day. No guilt trips—just easy, joyful changes that add up fast.

 

1. Ditch Disposable Shampoo Bottles for a Stylish Reusables

Single‑use plastic bottles are one of the planet’s worst enemies—millions end up in landfills every year. No surprise here: our number one pick to reduce waste is to grab some refillable toiletry bottles for your beauty products. Swap in a set of reusable shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion bottles and simply refill with your favorite products. You’ll save money, reduce plastic waste, and feel peace during your daily routine.

Quick Tips

• Get the right fit: size for your shower niche or toiletry holder 
  
• Coordinate: get a style that fits your decor, whether minimalist or colorful
• Personalize: get "his", "hers", "kids" or swap the pump colors to keep everyone's products separated

Check out our collection of shower dispensers for curated reusable picks.

2. Switch to Bamboo Toothbrushes

Traditional plastic toothbrushes can take centuries to decompose. Bamboo handles break down naturally and feel great in hand. Bonus: many brands package them in recyclable cardboard.

Why We Love It

• Germ-free: Naturally anti‑microbial bamboo
• Biodegradable handle: toss in your backyard compost when it’s time for a new brush
• Fun designs: look for soft bristles and colored tips to match your bathroom décor

Learn more about plastic pollution from the EPA.

 

3. Swap Paper Towels for Reusable Cloths

Paper towels might feel indispensable—but cloth kitchen and bathroom rags are washable, absorbent, and infinitely reusable. There are so many attractive options and styles now, such as Marley's Monsters Unpaper Towels, Zero Waste Store Reusable Paper Towels or the ever popular Swedish dish cloths. Divide and conquer: use cute racks or baskets for “in use” versus “ready to wash.”

Make It Work

• DIY: Stock up on microfiber or make your own from old t-shirt cut‑offs and other fabric
• Coordinate: Try patterned, color cloths to add a pop of color and style
• Fit Your Routine: Keep a small hamper under the sink for easy laundering

 

4. Choose Bulk Soaps and Shampoos

Liquid soaps and shampoos often come in small plastic bottles. But did you know many of your favorite companies offer their products in larger sizes, too? You just have to look! Find bulk size shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and so much more in gallon size or even mini concentrates that replace the need to use as many containers. Plus it lasts so much longer before you have to restock!

Swap Strategy

• Go big or go home: Look for bulk refills of personal care products that hold 2 to 5 times your normal packaging
• Good things in small packages: Swap liquid cleaning products for compact size concentrated refills
• Try solids: Try dishwasher and laundry tablets or sheets, stored in a nice labeled container

Need ideas for where to buy bulk product? Find some of our favorite soaps and shampoos here.

 

5. Upcycle Glass Jars for Storage

Have empty pasta sauce and jam jars filling up your recycling bin? Clean them out and with a few quick decorative changes, they'll become perfect storage for bath salts, swabs, or makeup pads. You can paint them, swap out lids for something more attractive, or use a variety of sizes to get the look you want.

Joyful Touches

• Create uniformity: Upcycle mismatched lids with paint for uniform styling or swap the lid for something more modern
• Fit to your style: Use white paint and tie a ribbon or twine around the jar neck for a rustic vibe
  
• Group together: Place jars on a wooden tray so you can slide them in and out of your cabinet or shelf as a single unit
• Keep them handy: Mount them to a wood panel hung on the wall to keep them in reach 

Check out the tutorial at Her Happy Home to get started. 

 

6. Biodegradable Cotton Rounds Over Single‑Use Pads

Reusable cotton/mesh rounds wash up like new and save hundreds of single‑use pads used for beauty annually. They’re soft on skin, easy to launder, and look downright adorable in a little basket. We love these ones from Zero Waste Store.

Care Instructions

• Wash gently: Wash in a lingerie bag on gentle cycle
• Dry low: Air‑dry flat or tumble on low
• Wait til they disintegrate: Replace every 1–2 years when the round is no longer usable for optimal softness and hygiene
• Ditch the trash bin: Compost at the end of the cotton round's life!

 

7. Energy‑Smart LEDs for Every Bulb

LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy than incandescents and last years longer. If you've been holding out, it's time to swap them in your vanity mirror, ceiling fixtures, and task lamps to cut your electric bill—and your carbon footprint.

Bright Ideas

• Warm and cozy: Opt for “warm white” (2700K–3000K) to keep that cozy vibe
• Long life: Look for ENERGY STAR® ratings to ensure top efficiency
• Fit your home's look: Find the right style for your fixture, whether they mimic a traditional bulb or a stylish Edison style bulb 

 

Ready to Live Greener & Happier?

Small swaps make BIG impact. Pick just one of these eco friendly living changes and celebrate that little joy—you’re part of the solution! Got more ideas? Drop them in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this post on Pinterest to inspire your friends. 🌱✨