You have hundreds of choices when it comes to reusable products vs. disposable products. Even if you just choose just five or ten of these choices, and use them year-round, it’ll cut down on your disposable footprint, save you money and make a big difference for the planet.

*NOTE: All estimates below are based on an average family of four. 

Reusable Kitchen Goods

• 25 reusable cloth napkins replace 4,380 disposable paper napkins per year.
• 1 reusable coffee filter replaces around 365 disposable filters per year – or if you’re a coffee-addict like me, a lot more.
• 10 to 12 decent food containers with lids replaces many boxes of foil or plastic wrap per year. Or score some reusable food wraps.
• 1 refillable dish soap bottle + bulk dish soap replaces 18 to 26 disposable dish soap bottles per year.
• 1 reusable tea ball + herbs purchased in bulk food bags replaces 365+ disposable tea bags per year (if you’re a tea drinker)
• 1 set of reusable silicone baking cups can replace as many as 624+ disposable paper muffin cups per year (assuming you make one batch of muffins per week).

Reusable Home Goods 

• 25 to 50 reusable cleaning towels replace somewhere around 22,152 paper towels per year. Now there are even paperless towels you can buy!
• 3 refillable hand soap dispensers + 3 refillable soap bottles replace 36 to 72 disposable bottles of hand soap per year.
• 1 refillable laundry detergent container replaces around 12 to 24 disposable containers of detergent per year.
• Homemade cleaners made in reusable bottles can replace anywhere from 36 to 72+ disposable containers of cleaners per year.

On-the-go Reusable Goods

• 8 to 10 reusable bags replace around 468 disposable grocery bags per year.
• 4 non-toxic refillable water bottles replace 5,832 disposable water bottles per year. Plus, saves you about $1,200 a year!
• 4 reusable lunch bags or boxes replace around 1,040 disposable paper or plastic lunch bags per year (assuming everyone in the house takes a packed lunch to school, camp or work).
• A decent set of 30 to 40 reusable cloth snack and sandwich baggies and reusable lunch food containers replace around 4,160 disposable plastic baggies per year  (assuming everyone in the house takes a packed lunch to school, camp or work).