Today I’m sharing my top 10 zero-waste essentials to help those of you who are thinking about going plastic-free or reducing your environmental impact. Everything here is affordable, sustainable, and most, importantly, something I actually use and love on a daily basis. All links below are affiliate links; thanks for supporting the brands that keep Baked Greens running!
If you’ve been active on social media in the last week or two, you may have noticed this little thing called Plastic-Free July. It’s an environmentally friendly initiative created to help people reframe their thoughts on plastic use, and to hopefully build habits that last well after July ends. If you’re interested in joining, sign up here! You can commit to a week, the whole month, or for as long as you want to eliminate your plastic usage.
I started reducing my plastic consumption nearly a decade ago when I first realized the damage plastic water bottles and grocery bags were doing to our planet. Since then, I’ve incorporated other small changes in my life to help keep as much plastic out of my life (and out of our oceans!) as possible.
Am I perfect? Absolutely not.
Sometimes, something comes in plastic and I just make a concerted effort to recycle the plastic. But, for the most part, if I can only find something packaged in plastic, I skip that item. In a world of convenience items and instant gratification, I actually find it very satisfying to be more intentional about the things I use and dispose of.
So, to help those of you who are in the beginning stages of the journey, I though I’d share some of my go-to products that have helped make this plastic-free life completely effortless. I hope you love them as much as I do!
My Zero Waste Essentials
Mason Jars. They’re so simple, so affordable, and absolutely essential for me. I love keeping a 16oz wide mouth mason jar in my car at all times for an easy reusable iced or hot coffee cup anywhere I go. My mason jar has doubled as a water glass, a frozen yogurt bowl, a leftovers container, and I use them regularly instead of Tupperware for food storage in the fridge or pantry. We also love the 24oz ,32oz, and half gallon jars for drinking smoothies and storing grains or granola in the pantry and cold brew iced coffee in the fridge. 
Organic Cotton Produce Bags. I know most people already own a few reusable grocery bags, but what about the produce that gets bagged up in plastic? I only started using reusable produce bags this year and it’s been such a great change. Not only can I fit more into these bags, but my grocery trip can actually be 100% plastic-free. I love these organic cotton ones because, well, they’re organic cotton, but also because they come in a variety of sizes and can fit anything from a bakery loaf of bread to a full head of lettuce and beyond. I even use them in the bulk section for nuts, oats, etc. These ones have their weight right on the tag, so the cashier can deduct it when charging you for your food!
Reusable Insulated Water Bottle. Owning (and remembering to carry around) a reusable water bottle has been a total game changer for me. I literally don’t go anywhere without it, and it keeps me from needing to buy water when I travel (it also just personally annoys me to pay for water…I think it’s morally reprehensible for a company to charge you for a product that they got for free from the earth, and is essential for human survival. That’s another topic for another day, though). I love the HydroFlask bottles because they’re cute (they come in colors like flamingo, mint, and raspberry), effective (seriously- put ice in the bottle and it’s still ice when you open it up the next day), and make it so easy to carry around a bottle. I fill mine with iced coffee and smoothies, too! We also own their insulated coffee mugs and wine tumbler and love them.
Organic Canvas Tote Bag. While you could use this bag for the grocery store or Farmer’s market, I love carrying this one with me when I do other shopping. Think Target runs, TJMaxx, clothing stores, etc. It’s lightweight and simple, yet chic in a minimalist way that I just love. 
Stainless Steel Straws. Everyone’s making a big deal about straws right now (they are a big deal, but, hello, so is the plastic cup they’re sticking out of…) and for good reason. Take a walk along the beach and I can guarantee you’ll find at least one straw. They’re everywhere, and it’s a huge problem. Personally, I’m fine with just skipping the straw. Chances are, I’m already sipping my drink out of a mason jar anyway, so the straw’s no biggie. But, if you’re a straw lover, keep a little pack of these in your purse (or on your kitchen counter, like I do) and you’ll never need to use another straw! They’re easy to clean, and totally trendy right now. Plus, this variety pack gives me all the size/shape options I could ever need, depending on what size cup I’m sipping out of!
Bamboo Travel Utensils. Plastic utensils might not seem like a big deal, but scientists are reporting them to be one of the most common items found in bird and sea turtle stomachs. Rather than grabbing a set of plastic disposables when you’re eating on the go, keep these stashed in your bag for an easy alternative! 
Compostable Bamboo Toothbrushes. These toothbrushes are soft, yet durable, and the packaging they come in + the toothbrushes themselves are biodegradable. I also love that they’re numbered so everyone in the house knows which is theirs! This is such a small, simple switch from your typical disposable toothbrushes that everyone can do! 
Cast Iron Skillet. I know this one doesn’t seem like your typical plastic-free product, but hear me out. Nonstick skillets last, what, a year? At most? Then they end up in the landfill. Cast iron can literally last your lifetime, and can be passed down to your grandkids, if you were inclined to leave them your beloved skillet. When well-maintained, they are just as nonstick as nonstick skillets, and they have the added ability to go from the stove to the oven to the grill to the campfire and everywhere inbetween. They also barely need washing- just rinse, wipe, and go, and look cute sitting on your stove year-round. We love the 10-inch for everyday use!
Glass Food Storage Containers. It’s time to finally ditch (aka recycle) your old, beat-up, mismatched plastic storage containers and upgrade to glass! This Pyrex set is my absolute favorite, and they totally last forever, unlike their plastic counterparts. Plus, they can safely go in the microwave or oven to reheat food, and are great for home storage as well as for packing picnics and beach snacks, too! And, while they are made of glass, I’ve never ever had one break in my bag or crack from being lugged around all day. Important Note: these have plastic lids, so are not truly plastic-free. Since they’re a purchase that will last for decades, I still consider them to be significantly more sustainable than traditional plastic storage containers, which need to be replaced frequently; the lids are also fully recyclable, if you find they break or for some reason need to get rid of them. We also own these stainless steel containers with silicone (plastic-free!) lids, and love them as well- they can’t go in the microwave but are virtually unbreakable and great for taking anywhere. If you’re looking for a 100% plastic-free option, go for the stainless steel ones!
Zero Waste + Compostable Phone Cases. These phone cases are a little pricey, but they are durable, so cute, and absolutely waste free. They are completely biodegradable and I love knowing that, if I need a new phone case, the old one isn’t ending up in the landfill or the ocean.
I hope this list was helpful, and that going plastic-free (whether in small ways or big leaps) seems a little bit more manageable to you and your family. Believe me, any small change matters- skipping the straw, bringing your own bamboo utensils, tossing a mason jar in your bag so you don’t need to get a coffee cup when you’re out an about- it all adds up. I’m not here to shame you or make anyone feel guilty about using plastic products- if you want to know the specifics about how severely plastic is killing our oceans, the research is easily accessible through a google search. I’m just here to (hopefully) help make the switch a little easier!
Love to you all!
XO, Chelsea