Future generations deserve to enjoy all that we have, so let’s talk about some of the best zero waste products for low waste living.
Zero waste is a philosophy of circular consumption in which we not only manage waste but actually eliminate it.
In perfect form, zero waste means throwing nothing in the trash. But the world is far from perfect, and we can try our best by eliminating most of our waste through some simple zero waste tips and product swaps.
So, what are zero waste products?
Well, they’re products that are typically plastic-free, first of all, but more than anything, they’re reusable items that come in equally reusable (or compostable) packaging. That doesn’t necessarily mean waste free products (progress over perfection), but rather those that allow us to minimize our daily waste.
When choosing items for our zero waste essentials list, we considered what materials a product was made from (i.e., is it reusable, refillable, returnable, or compostable), material and ingredient sourcing, and a brand’s commitment to sustainable and ethical business practices like using renewable energy or supporting fair trade initiatives.
Our new Brand Rating system (which we’ll update our articles with over the coming weeks) covers 22 criteria, ensuring we choose the best brands for the brightest future. Have a read of our explainer to learn all about it.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Index: Zero Waste Essentials
- Zero Waste Kitchen Products Jump to section
- Zero Waste Bathroom Products Jump to section
- Zero Waste Beauty & Personal Care Products Jump to section
- Zero Waste Cleaning Products Jump to section
- Zero Waste Products For Out & About Jump to section
- Zero Waste School & Office Products Jump to section
Zero Waste Kitchen Products
The kitchen is one of the best places to start a zero waste journey.
There are countless zero waste kitchen products that can replace single-use and plastic products—so much so that this list barely scratches the surface! Have a read of our zero waste kitchen article for more ideas.
Zero Waste Food Storage
Top of this list are plastic-free food storage options. Old glass jars make for the BEST zero waste food storage containers—and because they can be used for nearly anything, they’re great zero waste home products in general.
For new, Caraway is a great brand for BPA-free and ceramic-coated glass containers, while ECOlunchbox sells stainless steel bento boxes and nesting food storage tins.
Zero Waste Sandwich & Snack Bags
Stasher made us all rethink those hard-to-recycle ziplock bags with their reusable silicone alternatives to Ziploc bags in the form of sandwich, snack, and storage bags.
If you want to stick with some all-natural bags, go with reusable beeswax wraps and bags from SuperBee.
Or, if you’re interested in making your own DIY zero waste products, you can make beeswax wraps right at home using organic cotton cloth and beeswax.
Reusable Kitchen Towels
Save trees, manufacturing emissions, and a whole lot of waste by switching to reusable paper towels, one of top recommended zero waste swaps.
You can “Live Colorfully, Tread Lightly”, with Marley’s Monster’s UNpaper® Towels made from 100% cotton. Each cloth measures 12” x 10”, and because they cling together, you can store them on your existing paper towel holder.
Compost Collection Bins
Collection bins make apartment composting easy (note: these are only for collecting your food waste, not actually composting it). Check to see if you have an old container you repurpose before buying something new.
Bamboozle offers an eco-solution in the form of a dishwasher-safe container made from 100% biodegradable plant fiber. It features a reusable liner, a hemp filter to subdue the smells, and a handle for carrying to your outdoor or indoor compost bin.
Zero Waste Bathroom Products
Zero Waste Toilet Paper
Truely zero waste toilet paper (also known as reusable family cloth) isn’t for everyone, but don’t stress; there are plenty of other zero waste products for the bathroom you can embrace instead.
If you prefer to still flush your TP with your wee, Who Gives a Crap makes eco-friendly toilet paper you don’t need to wash between wipes.
If you want to reduce how much toilet paper you use, a bidet from Tushy will help you save more trees (and your bum). We own their electric Ace Bidet, and between its heated seat, heated water, and bum blowdryer, it’s honestly life-changing.
Reusable Razors
With disposable razors taking up to 1000 years to break down, switching to a zero waste razor is one of the best bathroom swaps you can make.
Safety razors are the OG zero waste bathroom product, but if a standard safety razor makes you feel, well, less than safe, opt for a more modern style razor that still utilizes replacement blades instead of plastic heads, like the pivoting head triple blade razor from Leaf.
Zero Waste Period Products
Make that time of the month a little less awful, knowing your Saalt period cup gives back to communities in need.
For lighter days (or if the idea of a menstrual cup is still too scary), ModiBodi offers leak-proof sustainable period underwear that are an absolute essential zero waste mentrual product.
Zero Waste Beauty & Personal Care Products
Zero Waste Skin Care
Fat and the Moon uses plant oils in their plastic-free skincare products to keep our skin feeling over the moon.
For zero waste sunscreen, SPF your way to summer bliss with the reef-safe compostable cardboard tubes from ATTITUDE. They have different formulas for everyone, including kids and those with sensitive skin.
Zero Waste Deodorant
Aside from setting an example of the otherwise plastic-ridden beauty industry, zero waste beauty products are often much better for us, too.
Nowhere is this more apparent than zero waste deodorant. Plastic tubes of deodorant filled with neurotoxic aluminum salts are also the pits, so we’d much prefer Ethique’s all-natural bar version.
Meow Meow Tweet makes taking care of B.O. a treat with their deodorant creams and adorable compostable tubes of zero waste deodorant.
Zero Waste Hair Products
A decade ago, it would have been impossible to find a zero waste shampoo and conditioner.
Now, they’ve become some of the most popular zero waste products around. And no wonder, considering 550 million empty shampoo bottles are thrown away every year in the US alone.
Boycotting the bottle is simple with brands like Ethique, who pack all those sensational suds into a compact bar.
Zero Waste Makeup
Zero waste beauty brands are changing the way we think about plastic, refills, and ingredients!
Pucker up in a planet-friendly way with Axiology and their vegan-10-ingredient-or-less lipstick.
For a full-blown, eco-friendly makeover, there are several other zero waste makeup brands worth checking out for some green glam.
Zero Waste Dental Products
Several brands are doing zero waste toothpaste nowadays but we like etee’s Chewpaste (toothpaste tablets) for their fluoride and fluoride-free options.
Pop one on a sustainable toothbrush (instead of a plastic toothbrush), like the bamboo brushes from EcoRoots.
Zero Waste Cleaning Products
Zero Waste Laundry
Next time you do a load, take a load off the planet with Blueland’s PVA-free laundry detergent tablets. Their Laundry Starter Set comes with an adorable “forever tin”, and refills come in compostable paper packaging.
Etee offers a cost-effective, super concentrated laundry powder. One 720g pouch packs enough power for a whopping 180 loads. Packaging consists of a paper pouch with a biodegradable lining.
In addition to your zero waste laundry detergent, don’t forget a Guppy Friend washing bag to capture all those microplastics from your fleece and other synthetic fabrics.
Zero Waste Dish Soap
No one likes doing the dishes, but at least our planet doesn’t mind when we use zero waste dish soap.
Zero Waste Products For Out & About
Reusable Water Bottles & Mugs
Of all reusable household items, an eco-friendly water bottle might just have the greatest waste reduction potential.
After all, we collectively throw away 20,000 plastic water bottles every second.
Ditch the plastic bottle for good with Hydroflask and Klean Kanteen’s stainless steel bottles that can keep us hydrated without running our resources dry.
With insulation for both hot and cold, they’re great for a run to your favorite coffee shop, too.
Reusable Cutlery
Stick a reusable fork in us because we’re done with disposable plastic sporks. Keeping an eco-friendly cutlery set in your purse or briefcase is the perfect way to reduce take-out waste.
Both To-Go Ware and Jungle Culture make reusable organic bamboo cutlery cuts, which are ideal for throwing in your handbag or backpack for on-the-go sustainable snacking.
Zero Waste School & Office Products
Zero Waste Stationary
Zero waste school supplies are fun to shop for and they certainly won’t leave our planet feeling burned out by the time the seventh period rolls around.
Onyx and Green is a great place to turn to for all of the zero waste swaps for school: recycled sticky notes, eco-friendly pens, notebooks, recycled erasers, and more.
AGood Company is exactly that. This brand takes care of office or school supply needs while simultaneously planting trees in Zambia, Africa for every purchase.
Jot down notes in your climate-positive notebook with Sprout World’s non-toxic, sustainably-sourced, plantable pencils.
Amber obtained Bachelor of Arts degrees in English, Creative Writing, and Psychology from The University of Oxford and Arcadia University. She is an avid crafter, gardener, quail farmer, wannabe novelist, and self-proclaimed eco adventurer. From living in a camper van to living in a tiny house, she is enamored by the small and self-sufficient; and aspires to one day become an off-grid micro-farmer, bridging sustainability with non-toxic living and eating. With a passion for outdoor sports like rock climbing, skiing, and travel, having already backpacked across 30 countries, she is always up for the next big adventure while seeking ways to minimize her impact along the way.
