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Zero-waste beginners

Your first ten zero-waste swaps

Start with the items you throw away weekly. These deliver the biggest waste reduction for the least effort.

TL;DR

Top pick for zero-waste beginners: Vitamin C Chewed Toothpaste Bits by Bite (96/100 ethics). Also worth a look: The Reusable Paper Towels (24-Sheet Pack), Ethique Eco-Friendly Mint & Ginger Shampoo Bar, Ethique Body Wash Bar.

What to prioritise

  • Use up what you own first — replacing working items early is its own waste.
  • Swap the weekly bin items before the yearly ones.
  • One good reusable beats five mediocre ones.
  1. 1
    Vitamin C Chewed Toothpaste Bits
    B CorpCruelty-FreeVeganPETA Approved+1 more
    4.5 (18,000)

    A revolutionary zero-waste alternative to traditional toothpaste. These dehydrated tablets eliminate the need for plastic tubes while providing essential dental care ingredients like Nano-Hydroxyapatite.

  2. 2
    The Reusable Paper Towels (24-Sheet Pack)
    96Excellent
    B Corp1% for the Planet
    4.9 (850)

    A woman-owned, small-batch textile brand from Oregon producing 'UNpaper' towels that eliminate single-use kitchen waste. These are handmade from 100% cotton flannel with high transparency.

  3. 3
    Ethique Eco-Friendly Mint & Ginger Shampoo Bar
    B CorpCruelty-FreeVeganClimate Neutral+2 more
    4.5 (8,200)

    A zero-waste, plastic-free solid shampoo bar that replaces three plastic bottles, featuring fair-trade ingredients and a focus on water conservation.

  4. 4
    Ethique Body Wash Bar
    98Excellent
    B CorpVeganCruelty-FreeFair Trade+2 more
    4.6 (4,200)

    A zero-waste, plastic-free body cleanser bar that replaces three bottles of liquid soap and uses regenerative fair-trade ingredients.

  5. 5
    Solid Shampoo & Body Bar (The Original)
    98Excellent
    B CorpCruelty-FreeVegan1% for the Planet
    4.5 (18,500)

    A zero-waste, plastic-free solution for hair and body, specifically curated for the minimalist traveler looking to bypass liquid restrictions.

  6. 6
    Ethique Eco-Friendly Shampoo Bar
    B CorpCruelty-FreeVeganClimate Neutral+2 more
    4.5 (6,400)

    A plastic-free, highly concentrated shampoo bar that replaces three plastic bottles, featuring fair-trade ingredients and carbon-neutral shipping.

  7. 7
    Cleaning Concentrates Starter Kit
    Cradle to CradleB CorpLeaping BunnyEPA Safer Choice+1 more
    4.7 (12,450)

    An innovative, plastic-free cleaning system utilizing effervescent tablets and reusable glass-and-silicone bottles to eliminate single-use waste.

  8. 8
    Manual Dish Soap

    Meliora Cleaning Products

    Manual Dish Soap

    $$
    96Excellent
    B CorpMADE SAFELeaping Bunny1% for the Planet
    4.7 (842)

    An ultra-concentrated, plastic-free dish soap bar that eliminates single-use bottles while maintaining high performance against grease using 100% biodegradable ingredients.

  9. 9
    Solid Dish Soap Bar
    96Excellent
    VeganCruelty-FreePETA ApprovedLeaping Bunny
    4.8 (3,200)

    A zero-waste hero for the kitchen, this ultra-concentrated vegan soap bar replaces up to three plastic bottles of liquid detergent.

  10. 10
    Unpaper Towels (24 Pack)

    Marley's Monsters

    Unpaper Towels (24 Pack)

    $$
    96Excellent
    1% for the PlanetFSC Certified
    4.9 (4,200)

    A high-quality, reusable alternative to disposable paper towels, handmade in Oregon from sustainable materials to drastically reduce household waste.

  11. 11
    Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Peppermint)
    B CorpFair TradeUSDA OrganicLeaping Bunny+2 more
    4.9 (22,500)

    The gold standard of ethical cleaning. A highly concentrated, multi-surface liquid soap made from organic oils and fair trade ingredients in 100% PCR packaging.

  12. 12
    Bar Soap (Peppermint)

    Dr. Bronner's

    Bar Soap (Peppermint)

    $
    98Excellent
    Fair TradeUSDA OrganicB CorpLeaping Bunny+2 more
    4.9 (22,000)

    The gold standard of ethical soaps, featuring regenerative organic palm oil and a legacy of fair-trade advocacy and radical transparency.

  13. 13
    Dr. Bronner’s Whole Kernel Virgin Coconut Oil
    Regenerative OrganicFair TradeUSDA OrganicNon-GMO+2 more
    4.8 (12,450)

    The gold standard for ethical food production, this coconut oil uses regenerative organic practices and fair trade labor to set a benchmark for corporate responsibility.

  14. 14
    The Everything Soap (Eucalyptus + Lavender)
    B CorpFair TradeUSDA OrganicLeaping Bunny+1 more
    4.9 (24,000)

    The gold standard of ethical cleaning; a multi-use, highly concentrated liquid soap made with organic oils and fair trade ingredients.

  15. 15
    Ethique Mintasy Shampoo Bar
    98Excellent
    B CorpCruelty-FreeVeganClimate Neutral+2 more
    4.5 (5,200)

    A zero-waste, plastic-free shampoo bar equivalent to three bottles of liquid shampoo, utilizing fair-trade cocoa butter and peppermint oil.

  16. 16
    Regenerative Organic Certified Dark Chocolate (70% Cacao)
    Regenerative OrganicFair TradeB CorpVegan+1 more
    4.8 (850)

    A gold standard in ethical confectionery, using regenerative farming to combat climate change while ensuring living wages for cocoa farmers.

  17. 17
    Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap - Peppermint
    B CorpFair TradeLeaping BunnyUSDA Organic+1 more
    4.8 (14,200)

    An industry gold standard for ethical home care, this ultra-concentrated soap uses organic oils and fair-trade ingredients for a versatile, biodegradable cleaning solution.

  18. 18
    Tea Tree Gel Cleanser

    Dr. Bronner's

    Tea Tree Gel Cleanser

    $$
    96Excellent
    Leaping BunnyEWG VerifiedFair TradeCruelty-Free+2 more
    4.7 (850)

    A gold-standard ethical cleanser featuring fair-trade tea tree oil and regenerative organic ingredients in 100% post-consumer recycled packaging.

  19. 19
    EWG Verified All-Purpose Cleaner
    96Excellent
    EWG VerifiedLeaping BunnyEcologo
    4.6 (840)

    A 100% natural, plant-based cleaner that achieves the highest safety ratings for human health while remaining effective on grease and grime.

  20. 20
    Castile Liquid Soap - Baby Unscented
    96Excellent
    B CorpFair TradeLeaping BunnyUSDA Organic+2 more
    4.8 (22,450)

    A gold standard in ethical manufacturing, this concentrated multi-surface cleaner uses regenerative organic oils and fair trade sourcing to provide a zero-waste, non-toxic solution for every room in the home.

  21. 21
    Bamboo Toilet Paper - 24 Double Rolls
    96Excellent
    B CorpFSC CertifiedPETA Approved
    4.9 (22,000)

    A 100% bamboo-based toilet tissue that combines luxury softness with an industry-leading social mission, donating 50% of profits to global sanitation projects.

  22. 22
    Bamboo Toilet Paper

    Who Gives A Crap

    Bamboo Toilet Paper

    $$$
    96Excellent
    B CorpFSC CertifiedVegan
    4.8 (12,400)

    Premium 3-ply bamboo toilet paper that funds global sanitation projects while protecting old-growth forests.

  23. 23
    Organic Fragrance-Free Lotion
    98Excellent
    B CorpUSDA OrganicFair TradeLeaping Bunny+2 more
    4.6 (3,100)

    A highly ethical, multi-use lotion crafted with organic oils and fair trade ingredients, setting the industry standard for supply chain transparency and regenerative agriculture.

  24. 24
    Regenerative Organic Certified Toasted Whole Grain Oats
    USDA OrganicRegenerative OrganicFair TradeVegan+2 more
    4.8 (420)

    A gold-standard example of regenerative agriculture, these oats go beyond organic by actively restoring soil health and ensuring fair wages for farmers in a vertically integrated supply chain.

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Frequently asked questions

Where should I start with zero waste?+

Audit one week of bin contents. Whatever appears most often — usually food packaging, wipes or bottles — is your first swap.

Is zero waste actually achievable?+

Not literally for most households. Aim for a large, sustained reduction rather than a perfect jar of annual waste.

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