5 Zero Waste Swaps that Save Me Money

A common misconception about going zero waste is that it is very expensive. I thought I’d break that misconception by sharing some of the environmentally friendly things I do that actually save me money! The truth is, eco-friendly products are often more expensive because they are built to last. Products that last a long time can actually save you money because they don’t break and have to be repurchased. Zero waste products that replace single use products can save you a ton of money even though they appear expensive! This list includes 5 swaps zero waste swaps I personally use that save me money!

If you are interested in checking out the other Zero Waste swaps I made last year, you can check out my post Zero Waste Swaps I Made in 2020 and My 2021 Goals!

5 Zero Waste Swaps the Save Me Money

1. Swapping Paper Towels for Reusable Cloths

I use reusable cloths for almost all the cleaning in my home instead of paper towels. My kitchen has a drawer full of dish towels so that whenever something spills there’s another cloth ready. I have enough cloths that I do a lot of cleaning before I run out. That way, I only need to clean them every couple weeks when I do a laundry load dedicated to cloths. I use these microfiber cloths from Amazon that cost only $19.24 for a pack of 24. In comparison, the cheapest paper towels I could find online are $17.98 for 12 rolls at Walmart, before taxes. That’s almost the same price as the 24 reusable cloths that will last you years!

2. Swapping Regular Shampoo for Shampoo Bars

People are often reluctant to switch to shampoo and conditioner bars because they appear to be expensive. A regular bottle of shampoo or conditioner will run you between $5-$10, while the shampoo and conditioner bars I currently use from Lush cost $12.95 each. Shampoo bars actually work out to be cheaper than drugstore shampoo for 2 reasons. Firstly, shampoo bars are generally made from high quality ingredients and are more comparable in quality to high priced shampoos than to cheap drugstore brands. Secondly, they are highly concentrated and therefore last a lot longer than regular shampoo. I first switched to shampoo and conditioner bars last Fall. It’s been 6 months now and I am still using the same ones! Based on how big they are now, I think my shampoo bar will likely last about 8 months total and my conditioner bar will likely last a full year!

3. Swapping Disposable Period Products for Reusables

It has now been about a year since I switched to zero waste period products. That means it’s been a whole year since I paid for anything related to my period! The initial investment in reusable period products can feel expensive, but when you consider that you won’t ever need to buy tampons or pads again, you end up saving a lot of money in the long run. One menstrual cup can replace all your disposable products! You can get the Diva Cup for $34.99 on Amazon, which pays for itself after a few cycles of not buying tampons. If you’d like to learn more about transitioning to a zero waste period, you can check out my post: How to Switch to a Zero Waste Period.

4. Swapping Dryer Sheets for Wool Dryer Balls

I use wool dryer balls to prevent static in my laundry instead of using disposable dryer sheets. Not only are wool dryer balls reusable, but they are also biodegradable and free of chemicals. That makes them a good eco-friendly choice. A bag of 6 wool dryer balls will cost you $19.97 on Amazon, but they basically last forever! In comparison, the cheapest box of dryer sheets I could find is $4.98 for 120 sheets at Walmart. Depending on how much laundry you do, you will break even on your investment after about a year and from then on you’ll be straight up saving!

5. Swapping Single Use Plastic Water Bottles for a Reusable Water Bottle

Growing up, my family was already pretty environmentally conscious, so using a reusable water bottle is something I have always done. Tap water where I live is safe to drink, so I never thought there was any reason to buy bottled water outside of emergency situations. It was only when I entered the workforce that I realized how much bottled water people buy! I worked at a neighborhood grocery store where the customers are mainly regular customers, and I would see the same people buying cases of water week after week! Not only is buying bottled water so bad for the environment, it can be crazy expensive! Especially when you consider that you are buying something that you essentially already have for free in your home!

A case of 24 bottled waters where I live goes for about $5.99 when it’s on sale (before bottle deposits and eco fees). If that’s my only drinking water, I’d need to buy about a case a week. Assuming I return all the bottles to get back the bottle deposits, that’s $311.48 a year before adding taxes. And that’s the absolute cheapest possible option! That entire $300 can be replaced by a good $30 water bottle that will last for years! I use a Yeti water bottle that retails for $39.99 on Amazon. If you are worried about your water quality, it’s only $20 more for a Brita Filter jug that fits in your fridge.

What zero waste swaps have saved you money? Let’s keep the ideas going in the comment section!