10 Sustainable Swaps for Common Single-Use Plastic Products

Earth Day is right around the corner, and there's no better way to celebrate than by doing something productive for our planet. We've partnered with LifeStraw to collect a roster of awesome products—including their LifeStraw Home water filter pitcher—that'll help you cut down on single-use plastics and show the Earth a little more love.

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When it comes to single-use plastics, we've all heard it time and time again: They're clogging our waterways and packing our landfills, even deteriorating and creeping into our food. We've talked about easy ways to be eco-friendlier (starting right now) and tips for making your kitchen more sustainable—now we're diving into ways to cut down on single-use plastic in your home.

There are tons of reusable alternatives—including very cute and stylish ones—that make it a cinch to cut those one-shot products out of your life. Here are some of our favorites for the kitchen, bathroom, and beyond:

1. Five Two Silicone Straws, $25

These handy straws are reusable and made from BPA- and BPS-free platinum-grade silicone (the highest quality). They won't pick up odors or tastes, and they're temperature-safe, no matter how hot your latte is. But we won't blame you for buying them solely because they'd look so adorable in your drinks.

2. LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher, $54.95

This sleek and gorgeous BPA-free, 7-cup glass pitcher (available in white and cobalt) makes water taste better, which would be impressive enough on its own. But that's just the beginning: Its dual filtration system removes bacteria, parasites, microplastics, silt, lead, and mercury. And the best part? It's made by a B-Corp and carbon-neutral company that gives a year of safe water to a child in need with every purchase.

3. Bite Toothpaste Tablets, $12

Think about how thick and sturdy a typical plastic toothpaste tube is. Now think about how long it'll sit in a landfill (a very long time). These chewable tablets make it simple to cut out the tube. Just pop one in your mouth and start brushing with a wet brush. Boom: instant paste, no waste.

4. Bella Black Reusable Flatware, $30 (48-Pack)

These reusable plastic utensils are so fancy-looking, you might want to eat with your pinkies out. The perfect thing for a picnic or an outdoor get-together, they're also a great gift for a design-focused friend who never wants to sacrifice on style (even at a BBQ).

5. Duo Lunch Box, $38

Eating lunch on the go can be messy, but not with this adorable, multifaceted lunchbox. It's got built-in storage space hidden in the lid, and comes with a small container for dressings and toppings that also fits inside. Plus, it's dishwasher- and freezer-safe, which makes life so much easier.

6. Five Two Compostable Sponge Cloths (Set of 10), $29-49

These extremely adorable textured sponge cloths are made from plant fibers and water-based ink, which means they actually decompose in a home compost within 6 weeks. Each cloth can replace up to 17 rolls of paper towels, and can be tossed in the washing machine whenever—use them anywhere and everywhere, with a clean conscience.

7. Five Two Produce Bags, $29 (Set of 8)

Taking home produce in dozens of flimsy plastic bags? No thanks. These reusable, 100% organic-cotton sacks are a way better option for toting home produce (and they're also great for nuts, bread, and organizing your pantry). Buy a few sets and keep one everywhere, so you'll never be caught short-handed.

8. Reusable Silicone Storage Bags, $24-$84

Now this is brilliant. Regular old plastic zip-top bags aren't ideal from an environmental perspective, but how else can you protect half an apple or a chunk of cheddar? Enter: these silicone storage bags. Dishwasher safe, BPA-free, and airtight, they're handy for snacks, sous vide-ing, or storing toiletries in a weekend bag. You can even write on them with dry-erase markers.

9. Package Free Plastic-Free Dental Floss, $6

We're not suggesting you reuse your floss, but you can prevent more plastic from heading into landfills with this dental floss that's packaged in paper. And it's not just the exterior that's plastic-free: The floss itself is made of silk thread that's been coated in candelilla wax—and it's chemical-free, too.

10. Provençal Exfoliating Scented Bar Soap, $30 (Set of 4)

These French exfoliating soaps—which come in grape seed, olive kernel, tea leaves, and wheat varieties—are gorgeous, yes, but they're also good for the environment. Bar soap (instead of liquid) means there's no large plastic pump bottle to toss when you're finished. Plus, these will leave your skin looking and smelling amazing.

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Which eco-friendly habits are you starting this year? Tell us in the comments!

Switching from single-use plastic to reusable items can make a bigger impact on our planet than you might think. Our friends at LifeStraw know that well, which is why they've created the LifeStraw Home water filter pitcher. It doesn't just help you cut single-use water bottles out of your routine: The pitcher removes more than 30 contaminants from water, including bacteria, parasites, microplastics, lead, mercury, and chemicals (think: PFAS, chlorine, and organic chemical matter). It also makes water just taste better, so it's an eco-friendly way to make every day more fresh.

This post contains products selected by the Editors, and Food52 may earn an affiliate commission on qualifying purchases.