WRITTEN BY LIZ FARIAS

We all have something in our room that we wish we had a “better” version of, but for some reason, it takes us months to finally take action. For me, those moments often come with products I know could be more sustainable. I don’t believe sustainability is a perfect end goal; it’s a constant, imperfect practice, one that’s as much about intention and ease as it is about the planet. As I run out of my everyday items, I want to start swapping in eco-friendlier alternatives that make my routines simpler and more thoughtful. Still, the truth is that a lot of these products aren’t always on the shelves at big chain stores, which makes them feel a little out of reach. So I’m building a real-time wishlist of sustainable switches I’m genuinely excited about. I’ve not nailed the transition yet, but sharing it here keeps me motivated to follow through.

Tide Pods → Laundry Sheets

I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to switch from detergent pods to laundry sheets. If the trend of teenagers eating Tide pods wasn’t my first red flag, then it’s the fact that they never fully dissolve. Back in college, I got a dramatic text from a guy I was seeing while mid-yap with two close friends. My heart dropped. We all exchanged those “oh no” glances. Was I getting cheated on? No. Somehow worse: he’d destroyed a white tee I’d lent him with a Tide pod. The blue gunk had exploded, dried, and fully set—RIP. He was so scared to tell me, which honestly says a lot about my personality. I wasn’t furious, but it haunted me. For three years, I checked every single garment for blue stains before throwing it in the dryer. Still, I couldn’t let go of the pods, their trusted brand, and the convenience. But then came laundry sheets. Some are biodegradable, pre-measured, unscented, and come in slim cardboard packaging. I also love that I can tear off a small piece to hand wash something in the sink, which I’ve already done multiple times. They’re sleek, smart, and have zero blue slime trauma attached.

Paper Towels → Papaya Reusables

This next product stuck in my mind thanks to one of those wait, what? Instagram Reels. The ad claimed, “One sheet replaces 17 rolls of paper towels.” Not only is that insane, but also a genius marketing line. Even if you don’t care about the environment, you definitely care about how expensive 17 rolls are and how much space they take up. The brand is called Papaya, and their reusable paper towels come in a bunch of cute designs. You use them like any regular paper towel, but they’re 20 times more absorbent, supposedly don’t smell, and you just hang them up to dry after use. For everyday cleaning, you can rinse them with water and/or soap. For a deeper clean, just toss them in the dishwasher or laundry. Each sheet lasts between 2 to 9 months and is fully compostable at the end of its life. I haven’t tried them yet, but I’ve been dying to, and their website answers basically every question you could have.

Liquid Shampoo & Conditioner → Bars of Shampoo & Conditioner

Shampoo and conditioner bars just make so much more sense than their liquid version. Most of us already use bar soap, so what’s the difference? They’re compact, last longer, and the packaging is usually more eco-conscious. The biggest hurdle is that experimenting with hair care can feel like life or death. If you’ve found a brand that works for your hair, it’s hard to justify switching. But for me, I don’t have a holy grail shampoo. So this feels like the perfect time to make the transition to bars, and I’m genuinely excited to find a match that works.

Toothpaste → Toothpaste Tablet Bites

I’ve always loved the look of toothpaste tablets. There’s something so clean and minimal about them, and anything that eliminates the dreaded chore of wiping crusty toothpaste off the cap is already a win. But my biggest fear with tablets is the ingredient list. Dental health isn’t something I want to play around with. Fixing damaged teeth can be expensive and impact your overall health. If you’re considering making the switch too, one tip I have is to compare the ingredients in tablet brands with those in dentist-recommended pastes. You can also ask your dentist directly for their take, which I definitely plan to do.

Cleaning Spray Bottles → Cleaning Tablets/Refill Drops

There are loads of reasons I’m looking to make this switch, and honestly, my primary one isn’t even environmental. A lot of conventional cleaning products contain chemicals that can trigger respiratory issues, skin irritation, and allergic reactions. I’ve always wanted to find safer alternatives to those harsh formulas. Cleaning tablets feel like a smarter option, not just for health, but for waste reduction too. By switching, I can avoid buying single-use plastic spray bottles and instead invest in one or two refillable glass ones.

Plastic Produce Bags → Mesh Produce Bags

This one is no shocker. Plastic bags are flimsy and wasteful, which is why several US states and countries have banned them. Where I live, the ban applies to plastic checkout bags, not the smaller plastic produce bags. Since I already have to bring reusable shopping bags to the store, it feels like a natural next step to ditch those single-use produce bags too. I get that sometimes you forget your bags or make an unplanned trip, but keeping a few reusable ones in your car or purse can help make the habit easier. Small changes like this really do add up over time.

Lint Rollers → Reusable Lint Roller

Although I’m not an avid user, I have some die-hard lint roller people in my life. Whether you’re a pet owner or constantly battling blankets that shed, a reusable lint roller could be a game changer. I always try to use mine sparingly so I don’t blow through the sticky paper too fast. And let’s be real, it’s kind of gross having to store it mid-roll just to avoid wasting a fresh sheet. I’ve seen reusable versions made of silicone or rubber that rinse clean and are ready to go again. Pet lovers on Reddit seem to swear by the ChomChom from Chewy, which makes me more curious to try something like it.

Single Use Makeup → Subtl Beauty Stack

Sometimes I’ll see videos of influencers doing a light makeup routine while poolside or on a plane and think about how wildly impractical that is. I love the idea of getting cute on the go, but most people have huge makeup collections and chaotic bags. (Not me, but trust that I regularly have to clean makeup buildup from the outside of lipstick and blush tubes.)

I fell in love with the concept of a minimal makeup routine with eco-conscious packaging when I saw an ad for Subtl’s Beauty Stack. It’s sleek, compact, and designed for travel or everyday simplicity. For me, the biggest tradeoff is the product quality. Their formulas just aren’t going to match my favorites. Like sorry, you’ll have to pry Tower 28 from my cold, dead hands. And the brand I use for concealer is totally different from the one I trust for mascara.

From my very basic scroll of their site, Subtl also seems to fall short on shade range for deeper skin tones. That said, they do offer a quiz that helps color match you to their stack based on a product you already use, which is a cool idea. In theory, I’d love to try a brand like this, but we’ll see. There are other makeup brands offering refillable products without single-use plastic, so I might start slow with something like a Fenty refillable lipstick and see how it goes.

Thanks for sticking around this long. We’ve officially made it to the end of my wishlist! Just a reminder that being a more mindful consumer is all about baby steps, and at the end of the day, the most sustainable option is often to not buy anything new at all. I’m not here to overwhelm anyone or suggest that these swaps are the “right” way to do things. Most of these products I haven’t even tried yet. They’re just ideas I’m curious about and hope to explore. I’m not promoting anything except for the habit of doing your own research and thinking critically. All love, always.

My Swaps Wishlist