Zero Waste Swaps To Avoid: Don’t Waste Your Money On These!

Ready to try some new zero waste swaps? Think twice before buying any of these “sustainable” items. I have made a lot of mistakes since starting my sustainable living journey in 2015. And who would I be if I didn’t pass this advice onto you? In this post I’ll share some of my biggest zero waste swap regrets and what I suggest using, repurposing, or investing in instead. And always remember – the most sustainable option is what you already have.

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matching mason jars

When I started my sustainability journey in 2015 I had a very clear picture of what I thought sustainable living looked like. It was diy beauty products, neutral closets, and pantries full bulk goods stored in matching mason jars. So when I finally moved to an apartment where I could craft my ideal pantry, I bought fancy matching mason jars. I even ordered some on Amazon. I cannot reiterate this enough: you do not need to buy something to be sustainable. Matching jars were not required for sustainable storing my food. I just needed jars.

What I suggest instead: Repurpose jars you already have! Check your fridge to see what jars you have – pasta sauce, salsa, jam etc. All of these jars can be cleaned out and repurposed. Use them to store bulk goods, carry snacks on the go, or store leftovers in the fridge.

The lesson: sustainability is not about aesthetics.

bamboo utensil kits

This was another unfortunate Instagram aesthetic-inspired purchase. Every zero waste blogger I followed on social media had a cool bamboo utensil kit. It had everything they needed – a straw, regular cutlery, chopsticks – even a straw cleaner! I loved this swap at the beginning. It was great when I travelled, I kept it in my backpack to use for lunch between classes, and it was very convenient to have cutlery with me everywhere I went. I quickly realized, though, that bamboo cutlery is hard to keep clean and it’s something you can make yourself with items you already have!!

What I suggest instead: Make your own utensil kit! You can use an old pencil case or just wrap the utensils in a towel. I have a spoon, fork, knife, and reusable straw in my kit and I got all of those items from my kitchen!

The lesson: the most sustainable option is what you already have.

Cheap Beeswax Wrap

I was thrilled when Trader Joes started carrying beeswax wrap a few years ago. It was the latest zero-waste swap to sweep the sustainability community on social media. It was a reusable alternative to plastic wrap and could even be used as an alternative to a plastic baggie. This beeswax wrap was STIFF. The wax became pilled, it wouldn’t stick together, and it was hard to mold around any bowl or food item.

What I suggest instead: If you still want beeswax wrap, check out BeesWrap or Bee Kind. These beeswax wraps are easily moldable and both brands share tips for keeping your wraps in good shape. Not into beeswax wrap? You can try silicone bowl covers or elastic bowl covers (that look like shower caps). These are great for storing things like leftovers or recipes that need to be chilled in the fridge. You can also use Tupperware. I keep my half-cut lemons in little glass tupperware in the fridge instead of covering the exposed side in plastic wrap.

The lesson: Quality makes a big difference.

cheap safety razors

A safety razor was one of my first big zero waste lifestyle changes. I had to relearn how to shave and had to learn how to use single razor blades instead of just buying disposable razors every few months. Because I wasn’t sure how I would like this switch, I chose a $10 safety razor on Amazon (the rose gold one to the left). While it was good to start out, I did not know anything about proper storage or care to keep it from rusting or getting gross.

What I suggest instead: Though it’s completely possible to keep cheaper safety razors clean and safe for use, this is one of those sustainable swaps I recommend investing in up front. Leaf Shave is a great option if you like the traditional multi-blade razor (this is what I currently use!) and Oui The People has a great safety razor. Regardless of what you choose it’s important to make an informed purchase and do what you can to keep your safety razor in good condition.

The lesson: learn to properly care for your items.

"reusable" snack bags

These little reusable snack bags were one of my first swaps in my kitchen. I bought these cute little jars to replace ziplock snack bags, but they ended up being my worst “sustainable” purchase by far. Not only were they nearly impossible to wash since the opening was so small, but they were also just a different kind of plastic. Not recyclable at the end of its life, not made from recycled materials, technically “multi-use” but single-use in reality. I threw them out within a few week so buying them.

What I suggest instead: If you’re looking for something similar to a ziplock bag, reusable and machine-washable silicone Stasher bags are great. Target even has their own version of them! But if you don’t want to buy anything, there are plenty of options. Put your snacks in jars or Tupperware containers! Or reuse the ziplock bags you do have.

The lesson: the cutest swap may not be the most practical.