I tried these five sustainable swaps, and I’ll never go back
Image by Good Soul Shop
These days, it’s difficult to avoid plastic. It’s everywhere in our homes – from the obvious (clingfilm, kitchen sponges, detergent bottles) to the unexpected (plasters, teabags, period products). It can be surprisingly simple, though, to swap out some everyday items for more sustainable alternatives. So with this in mind, here are five clever, cost-effective changes I’ve tried, that I’ll never go back on…
100% recycled toilet roll
Most supermarket toilet paper is made from virgin wood pulp. This means millions of trees are cut down daily, only to be flushed down the drain. I’ve swapped to buying toilet rolls made from recycled paper, mostly from old office supplies.
I currently get ours from Who Gives A Crap, a brand that donates 50% of its profits to help build toilets and improve sanitation in developing countries. Your bulk order arrives in a big cardboard box, and each roll is wrapped in fun, colourful paper to keep it moisture-free and hygienic. The paper is printed with vegetable dyes and is 100% recyclable, but (if the rolls haven’t been sitting in the bathroom) I like to use mine for wrapping presents!
Image from Who Gives A Crap
I love that these toilet rolls bring colour to the bathroom, but you can also buy unwrapped toilet paper made in the UK. Ecoleaf toilet rolls are produced from a mix of consumer and trade paper waste using chlorine-free processing, and Serious Tissues plant a tree for every roll sold.
You’d think these products might be more expensive, but they are usually cheaper per sheet than leading brands. Zero plastic, and good for your pocket too.
Leak-proof period pants
I’m not being dramatic when I say period pants changed my life. I know people can be sceptical about trying them – don’t they leak? Or smell? Doesn’t it feel like you’re wearing a nappy? These are all questions friends have asked me, but from my experience, the answer to all of the above is no.
I got my first pair of period pants in 2019 when I decided to move away from disposable period products. An almost-instant convert, I soon added more to my collection. They are comfortable, supportive, and much gentler on my skin than pads. I now hate the feeling of disposable ones if I need to use them in a pinch!
Image from Modibodi
In my opinion, period pants are also much easier to use than menstrual cups. After use, rinse them under cold water, then wash them with your regular darks laundry at 30 degrees. Hang them out to dry, and they’re ready to use again.
I bought my period pants from Modibodi, a brand that’s helping to destigmatise menstruation. You can buy period underwear from many more brands now, including high-street shops.
Modibodi’s underwear is tested to ensure they still perform after 100 washes – that’s more than eight years of periods when washed once a month. And all materials are OKEO-TEX certified, meaning they are free from harmful substances, including PFAS.
Can you tell I’m a big fan?
Biodegradable coconut scourers
This is a straightforward swap and one that I love. Traditional washing-up sponges are typically made from plastic, but this doughnut-shaped scourer is made from coconut fibre (or coir) from the husks of sustainably farmed coconuts.
Image from EcoCoconut
Unlike most scourers, these don’t scratch (surprising, I know), so you can use them on non-stick pots and pans. They are super durable, too – I’ve used mine for over six months, and it’s still going strong. Plus, coconut scourers don’t release microplastics into the environment, in contrast to traditional sponges. At the end of its life, you can add the coir to your compost heap and recycle the inner steel wire.
Reusable sandwich bags
There are various options if you want to avoid single-use cling film (or plastic wrap), but I favour reusable bags for storing leftover food and snacks. I use Russbe sandwich bags for taking food on the go, and my freezer looks so organised with these lined up in the drawer.
Image from Russbe
For excess soup and other liquids, silicone Stasher bags are great, since they are airtight and leakproof. Currently, they’re also storing an assortment of chopped-up fruit in the freezer, ready for morning porridge or smoothies. Both brands are dishwasher safe, although I find they dry better on a dish rack.
Compostable Swedish dishcloths
As with washing-up sponges, many cleaning cloths are made from plastic that can’t be recycled. That’s where Swedish dishcloths come in. These cloths are stiff when dry, but as soon as you run them under the tap, they absorb like a sponge, so you can wipe up spills or scrub surfaces like you would with a cloth. They are magic.
Image from Who Gives A Crap
Most are made from 70% cellulose and 30% repurposed cotton. This makes them quick-drying, which keeps bacteria at bay and limits smells. When you want to give them a clean, put them in the washing machine or dishwasher and let them dry naturally.
This type of dishcloth was created in the 1940s by a Swedish designer (hence the name). Most people find they last between 9 months and a year, or about 50 machine washes, so you can see why they are a sustainable staple in every Scandinavian kitchen. I got ours in a three-pack from Who Gives A Crap. Each has a unique design, which is handy for identifying which cloth you use where.
Have you made any sustainable swaps that you love? Let me know below!
