Earth Day may officially be on April 22nd, but let’s be honest – our beautiful planet deserves love and attention all year round. If you’ve been meaning to make some eco-friendly changes but don’t know where to start, I’ve pulled together ten super simple sustainable swaps that are easy to fit into everyday life. Nothing overwhelming, just small switches that can make a big difference.
1. Fussy Deodorant – Natural, Refillable, and Plastic-Free
If you haven’t tried Fussy yet, where have you been?! It’s a natural deodorant that actually works, comes in the cutest refillable cases, and helps reduce single-use plastic. Win-win.
🧡 Use my code RUNWITHRACHEL15 for a cheeky discount!
2. Parla Toothpaste Tabs – No Liquids, No Plastic
Game-changer for travel! Parla toothpaste tabs are compact, eco-friendly, and you don’t need to put them in your liquids bag at airport security. Also fab for reducing plastic at home.
3. WILD Deodorant, Body Wash & Lip Balm
Another great sustainable switch is Wild. Their deodorants smell dreamy, the body washes are refillable (love!), and they’ve just added lip balms to the mix too. All plastic-free and perfect for travel or gym bags.
💚 Don’t forget to use code RUNWITHRACH for 20% off the entire Wild range, including body washes, deodorants, and lip balms!
4. Ditch the tea bags (Yep, really!)
Here’s a surprising one – most tea bags contain up to 25% plastic. Yep, even the ones that look like paper. Studies have found billions of micro and nano plastics in a single cuppa – not exactly what you want with your morning brew!
🫖 Try loose leaf tea instead or go for plastic-free brands like Clipper Tea or Pukka Herbs.
5. Skip the coffee pods
Those convenient little pods might save time, but they create a huge amount of waste. Opt for ground coffee or whole beans instead – better for the planet and your brew will taste better too. ☕ Bonus points if you compost the grounds!
6. Reusable shopping bags
We all know this one, but how often do you forget your bags and end up buying another? It’s one of those small, easy habits to forget, but the environmental impact of single-use plastic bags really adds up. Reusable bags are sturdier, so you can carry more without worrying about rips. If you’re like me and often forget to grab yours, keep a couple stashed in your car or bag, ready to go.
7. Period products – Go greener, bit by bit
The average person uses around 11,000 disposable period products in their lifetime. That’s a lot. If menstrual cups or period pants feel a bit too much right now, there are still great biodegradable options out there. One brand to check out is DAME. They offer sustainable, plastic-free tampons with a reusable applicator, reducing waste with every use. It’s a simple swap that helps you make a big difference.
8. Reusable cotton pads – Bye bye, single use
Switching to reusable cotton pads for your skincare routine is such an easy win. Just chuck them in the wash with your towels and use them again and again. They’re way softer on your skin too.
9. Eco-friendly cleaning swaps
Think refills and concentrates over buying new bottles every time. Brands like Ecover or smol offer great low-waste alternatives that still do the job. Your home stays sparkling and you’re not chucking endless plastic down the recycling chute.
10. Choose better packaging (or none at all)
Look out for products that come in recyclable or compostable packaging, or go packaging-free when you can (like refilling your shampoo or pasta at a zero waste store). It all adds up.
Loose fruit and veg often works out cheaper per kg too, and you’re avoiding unnecessary plastic wrapping.
Making a difference doesn’t have to mean completely changing your life overnight. Just one or two of these swaps is a step in the right direction – and if we all make small changes, the impact can be huge.
