‘It’s better than plastic and cheaper’: 20 sustainable swaps that worked (and saved you money)

As a constant cycle of studies reveal, the harm plastic does to our health – from particles found throughout our bodies to the chemicals in plastics being linked to disruptions in our sleep – it’s no wonder many of us want it eliminated from our lives.

However, after global talks on a treaty to tackle plastic pollution were left deadlocked, it’s clearer than ever that if you want to reduce your plastic consumption, it’s an issue you’ll have to tackle on your own. And many of you already are. We asked for eco-friendly swaps that have stuck, and you gave us plenty of tips: from reducing plastic in your grooming routines to savvy ways to cut down on food waste.

Sustainable swaps that worked

Live forever (or just a lot longer): eco-swaps can make sense for the environment and your budget. Photograph: Anna Puzatykh/Getty Images

Refillable containers

I found Life Supplies through a targeted ad and thought I’d try its refillable eucalyptus deodorant when I realised how much single-use plastic I was recycling, probably avoidably. I was amazed to discover an effective and pleasantly fragranced sustainable alternative exists. The glass bottle (with metal lid) is a pleasing thing, and the refillable pump to store your future supplies looks nice in the bathroom. Charlie

Refillable eucalyptus deodorant

Compostable sponges and clothes

I swapped to Seep for my cleaning sponges, cloths and dishwashing sponges several years ago, and have never looked back. Its products are great. Judith

Seep sponge scourers and bamboo cloths, one-year supply

For more, check out 33 easy plastic-free kitchen swaps

A sturdy dustpan

A metal dustpan. This one is really well made with magnets to hold the pieces together. It also works well. I’m 75 and remember the original metal dustpans of the 50s and 60s being replaced by new plastic ones that were colourful and promised so much, only to find they always split or broke. Jo

Ecoliving mini dustpan set

Period pants

I used to use panty liners to cope with occasional small post-menopausal urine leakage, then I discovered period pants. I find them comfortable and great for travelling. No more panty liners. Morag

Wuka stretch midi brief

For more, check out the best period pants, tried and tested for comfort, style and absorbency

Paper bin liners

Kitchen bins are typically lined with plastic bags. Now that much plastic, glass and food waste is separated out for recycling elsewhere, the rubbish in our “general waste” bags is often dry and capable of being collected and stored in something other than plastic. Large recycled paper bags are available quite cheaply on eBay, and elsewhere, and work for most purposes. Phil

Paper waste sack 66 litres, pack of 50

Concentrated cleaner

I buy my cleaning products from HomeThings: the AllThings cleaner is very good in the kitchen. It comes as a small paper-wrapped pellet that is dropped into any clean reusable spray bottle. Then just add tap water. Anne

Cleaning spray starter kit

Shampoo bars

I’ve really cut down on buying products in plastic bottles. I’ve been using Grüum’s shampoo and conditioner bars for a few years now. The products are excellent, the bars last for ages, and my hair is in great condition. Anne

Nourishing shampoo bar with coconut oil

Nourishing conditioner bar with coconut oil and cocoa butter

Shampoo bar carry tin

Rewrapping cheese

I worry about clingfilm and have made my own beeswax wrappers, but I’ve come up with a much simpler method, especially good for rewrapping cheese. I open the wrapper with scissors, and after cutting off a chunk to eat, I fold the wrapper like you would to wrap the end of a present and secure it with an elastic band. Adele Zaslawska

A great book of tips

I am changing my habits thanks to Nancy Birtwhistle. A Great British Bake Off winner, she’s also written a number of books on a more eco-friendly way of life. One recent discovery through Nancy is that bicarbonate of soda is a great stain remover. Kerry

Clean & Green by Nancy Birtwhistle

Bulk-buy household staples

A big reduction in packaging in this house has been to buy all our staples – flour, rice, sugar, dry beans, dried fruit, washing-up liquid, hand soap and laundry powder – in large quantities at about two- to three-month intervals and decant them into smaller containers as necessary. Anonymous

Lemon washing-up liquid 5 litres

Photograph: Lee Avison/Alamy

Organic spelt conchiglie 4kg

Coir brush scrubber

For washing-up, there is nothing better than this scrub brush. It’s better than plastic ones, cheaper and more effective. It lasts for months and then you can compost it. The pan scraper also takes off badly burned sauce and shouldn’t mark non-stick pans. One lasts about a year. Henry Richards

LoofCo mini scrub brush

LoofCo washing-up scraper

Face soap

I’ve discovered face soap, and one bar has lasted me at least 16 months, so it’s economical too. Being green saves money – perhaps that’s a message that not enough people get. Christine

Gallinée prebiotic cleansing bar perfume-free

Cotton cleaning cloths

These things are absolutely brilliant for washing-up. They’re made of 100% cotton looped-pile towelling, which is stiffened to give a firm and rough texture. They don’t get clogged up with food the way a sponge scourer does, but I chuck mine in the wash with the towels every week to keep it fresh. Maggie

Kilo non-scratch scourer, set of three

Organic vegetable box

For years we’ve been exasperated to see that organic foodstuff is never supplied without plastic ties, nets and wrapping in supermarkets, which are impervious to complaints. The only way to sidestep this problem is to order zero-packaging deliveries via firms like Riverford, or to grow our own. Market gardens are long overdue a revival and organically produced food available in a nearby grocery should not be the sole preserve of the rich. Anonymous

Seasonal fruit and veg boxes

Cleanser and flannels

Instead of using throwaway wipes, fancy expensive designer muslin cloths or exfoliating scrubs, I massage cleanser on my face and gently wipe away with a traditional towelling flannel cloth, wrung out with warm water. It gently exfoliates and is cheap and reusable. Melanie

Anyday white flannels, pack of five

Pure cotton face cloths, pack of seven

Toilet paper gel

I have switched from using toilet wet-wipes to using Wype gel on toilet paper. Excellent alternative. Jenny

Wype toilet paper gel and reusable applicator

Shaving with soap

Growing up, I watched my father shave, and all he would do was rub a bar of soap over his stubble. As I began to shave and saw what flatmates around me did, I experimented with various shaving foams, soaps and oils. But after trying it, I stuck to a bar of soap, like my dad. Over the decades, how much waste have I not created? Neil

Friendly soap fragrance-free shaving bar

Don’t try to do zero-waste shopping all at once, but pick a specific target – zero-waste breakfast or grains, for example. This is more manageable and doesn’t require you to find a large number of containers at the off. Jeff Tupholme

Cotton soap sacks

I crocheted soap sacks out of cotton yarn, to put a bar in for washing in the bath and shower. We also use a milkman, who delivers in glass bottles. Danielle Jackson-Couldrey

Natural collection exfoliating soap bag

Milk delivery service

Scrap-fabric hankies

An eco-friendly swap that’s stuck for me is hankies and reusable cloth wipes. We’ve managed to eliminate tissues from our household. Our hankies aren’t fancy – they’re bits of cut-up old T-shirts or bed sheets or scraps of fabric from sewing projects. They’re useful for mucky faces and hands, for when you’ve got a runny nose, or just as a napkin at the dinner table. They’re stronger than tissues and you can use them wet. We use them once and pop them straight in the washing machine. Linda Tai

Have you made an eco-friendly swap that’s saved you money? Let us know by emailing us at [email protected]