Ashley’s Top 3 Sustainable Swaps

By Ashley V.

Sustainable swaps are a great place to start your sustainable journey. However, keep in mind that these items are different for a reason, so do not expect them to work exactly like their counterparts. Give yourself some time to adjust to these new items before you immediately discount them. Just like everything else new, there is an adjustment period. Once you adjust, you won’t want to go back to single-use again. 

MAKEUP REMOVER

I know this sounds silly, but this was actually what sparked my sustainable journey. My sister Hillary, one of the authors on this blog, gave me a reusable makeup remover cloth three years ago, and it got me thinking. Suddenly, I was appalled that I used a disposable makeup remover each day and then threw it away, opening my eyes to how wasteful I was being. She bought me an Erase Your Face makeup remover cloth, and after using it once, I was hooked. Not only was it softer, but it removed my makeup faster and easier than my typical disposable ones! I can easily clean it with soap and water or throw it in the laundry to do a more thorough cleaning. The great thing is that you could also try reusable cotton rounds to remove makeup if those are easier for you. Makeup remover has several sustainable alternatives. They are so easy to use and fit so seamlessly into your life that it makes you wonder what other sustainable swaps you can easily incorporate.  

LAST SWAB Q-Tip

As someone who uses q-tips every day, I wanted to find a sustainable swap to reduce my overall waste and impact on the planet. Last Swab was a great alternative because it is a reusable q-tip! Now, I know what you might be thinking, “that’s gross,” but it isn’t. It is easy to clean, durable, and comes in two different forms, one for everyday use and one for makeup. It even comes with its own biodegradable case, so it is easy to take when you travel. I want to note the q-tip has a different feel to it since it’s not made of cotton, so it took some time to get used to it. Overall, I am pleased I made the swap. 

SILICONE BAKING SHEETS

I never realized how amazing these were or how frequently I would use them until I bought one. Now, I use it ALL THE TIME. Silicone baking sheets are a great alternative to wax paper and aluminum foil when baking and cooking. They help protect your baking sheets from grease and grim, increasing their longevity and it keeps them looking cleaner longer. They are really easy to wash and reuse, and make it easy to create food that does not stick to your baking sheet. There is nothing I hate more than scrubbing my baking sheets when they have baked-on food. This is probably one of my most valued and frequently used sustainable swaps in my kitchen, and I cannot imagine cooking/baking without them now.

I hope this sparks ideas and gets you excited about sustainable swaps you can make in your everyday life. Every time I reach for a sustainable swap, I feel a sense of pride because I know I am helping the planet. I hope you get the same feeling every time you use one because we should feel proud of ourselves for living more sustainably.