Our team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the web’s best products. If you purchase through our links, we may receive a commission. Our editorial team is independent and only endorses products we believe in.
When you’re staring down a grocery store aisle chock-full of products stored in single-use plastics and wrapped in plastic packaging, sustainability feels like a futile mission: plastic is everywhere. When it comes to food prep, takeout or storage, plastic may seem like the easiest option, but it’s also the most harmful. Plastic ends up in landfills, oceans, and even our own bellies as the fish, meat, produce and drinking water can contain microplastics. However, the truth is that every single choice counts (no matter how small it may seem), and eliminating plastic wherever possible can make a big difference.
Luckily, today’s brands are working hard to create innovative and sustainable products that eliminate the need for wasteful single-use plastics. The five products we’ve listed below only cost $228 (even less when you opt for monthly subscriptions!), a small investment that pays off in the long run, both for the environment and your wallet. 4 out of 5 of the products listed below use a subscription model that allows you to save money and never worry about running out of the products you need to keep your home safe and clean.
Without further ado, here are five products to shop for a greener home:
Blueland Hand Soap Duo ($30)
Instead of using one plastic bottle of hand soap and chucking it in the recycling bin, why not use refillable glass bottles instead? The creators of Blueland Hand Soap are revolutionizing the handwashing process with their Forever Bottles (made of glass instead of plastic) and scented soap tablets.
Blueland’s bestselling kit is their Hand Soap Duo, which comes with two glass bottles, a mixed combo of soap tablets and a monthly subscription. To make soap, fill the Forever Bottle with warm water and drop a soap tablet inside. The tablet comes in three signature scents — Iris Agave, Perrine Lemon and Lavender Eucalyptus — and dissolves quickly in the water. The Forever Bottle has a foaming pump that creates a scented lather for your hand-washing pleasure. The best part? Each soap tablet refill only costs $2, adding up to major savings on home goods.
Earthbreeze Laundry Detergent Sheets ($20 for a one-time purchase, $12 with subscription)
Earthbreeze’s Laundry Detergent Sheets replace clunky liquid detergent bottles that take up a ton of space — both in your laundry storage area and in landfills. Laundry detergent is 90% water. Translation: most of the plastic waste generated from liquid detergent bottles is completely senseless.
Besides decreasing your carbon footprint, Earthbreeze Laundry Detergent Sheets save you from the mess of measuring liquid laundry detergent. It’s simple: one sheet is one full load of laundry detergent and a half sheet is more than enough for a small load.
When it comes to scent, you can choose fragrance-free or Fresh Scent, which smells like a fresh, crisp autumn breeze without being too overpowering. Detergent Sheets are hypoallergenic and free of harmful chemicals. Plus, the packaging uses paper and wet ink that will biodegrade in just 3 short months.
Cleancult Complete Home Cleaning Bundle ($89.99)
Cleancult’s Puerto Rico-based R&D team is hard at work creating cleaning products with CocoClean Technology powered by the mighty coconut. They make a full line of cleaning products, laundry detergents and refillable glass bottles that save 44 pounds of single-use plastic per household on average. Cleancult also works with the Carbon Fund to make sure all of their deliveries are carbon neutral.
The Cleancult Complete Home Cleaning Bundle comes with recurring refills of all-purpose cleaning spray, liquid hand soap, liquid dish soap, laundry detergent and dishwasher tablets — plus coordinating glass containers to store each product. The Bundle also comes with fabric softening Wool Balls that shorten dry times and last up to 1,000 loads.
W&P Porter Bag 5-piece Starter Pack ($76)
Food storage is one of the biggest sources of plastic waste in the home, plus plastic containers can transfer toxic chemicals onto your food when you stick the container in the microwave. W&P’s Porter Line features beautifully-designed products that can eliminate the need for plastic bags, plastic wrap, or plastic containers in your kitchen.
We had the distinct pleasure of reviewing their Porter Bags, food-grade silicone zip bags with a durable seal to prevent leaks. Free of adhesives and toxic chemicals, these reusable bags are freezer-friendly, microwave-friendly and dishwasher safe. You can even use them in a sous vide application to cook meats and veggies to specific temperatures.
The Starter Pack comes with 2 Stand-Up Bags (36oz and 50oz) and 3 regular flat bags (10oz, 34oz and 46oz). The variety of sizes is perfect for meal prep, homemade smoothie kits and snack storage — all without plastic waste. Porter Bags are designed with a clear front panel and a pop of color in the back. The vibrant and modern colorways make snacking exciting again.
Bite Toothpaste Bits ($12 for one-time purchases, $7.50 with monthly subscription)
According to Bite, one billion plastic toothpaste tubes hit the landfills every year. One billion! Plus, 100 million animals are harmed each year in cruel food, drug, chemical and cosmetics testing facilities used to create toothpaste. Bite is changing bedtime routines all over the country with their Toothpaste Bits.
Instead of squeezing toothpaste from a plastic tube, all you need to do is pop a Toothpaste Bit into your mouth, bite down and let your wet toothbrush do all the work of lathering the powder. Bite uses a vegan-friendly formula with natural ingredients, including Nano-Hydroxyapatite, aka nHAp, which fights sensitivity and remineralizes your enamel.
Your first order comes with a glass bottle, then you’re sent refills that come in compostable packaging. A subscription makes staying on top of your dental hygiene routine super easy, plus your packages will be completely plastic-free.
It’s Easier Than You Think
No more moaning and groaning about how difficult it is to go green. Blueland, Earthbreeze, Cleancult, W&P and Bite have shown us how easy (and aesthetically pleasing) it is to incorporate high quality and eco-friendly products into your everyday life . We can’t stress this enough: Every single choice counts. Shopping sustainably saves toxic single-use plastic from ending up in landfills and oceans and you’ll rack up massive cost savings down the road. It’s a win-win for everyone.
