7 Everyday Reusables That Instantly Cut Your Waste (and Save You Money)

Small reusable swaps can make a big impact. These seven everyday items help you reduce waste, save money, and build ef habits without adding stress to your routine. Simple, practical, and beginner-friendly — perfect for anyone starting a low-waste lifestyle.

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Everyday reusable items flat-lay

What Counts as a Reusable?

A reusable is anything you can wash, refill, or use again (and again) instead of throwing it away after one use. It’s not about being perfect or having a “zero waste” home — it’s about choosing items that stick around longer, so you buy less and toss less.

The most helpful reusables usually:

  • Replace something you normally throw away after one use
  • Are easy to clean and grab without overthinking
  • Fit into your existing routine (no big lifestyle overhaul needed)
  • Save you money over time, even if the first purchase costs a bit more

In this post, we’re focusing on everyday reusables you’ll actually reach for: things that live in your bag, your kitchen, or by your front door — not just cute gadgets that collect dust in a drawer.

You don’t need all seven reusables at once. Start with one swap that feels easy and use it often. The more it becomes “automatic,” the more impact (and savings) you’ll see over time.

Reusable #1: A Water Bottle You Actually Love Using

Reusable water bottle flat-lay

A reusable water bottle is one of the simplest low-waste swaps. Instead of buying single-use plastic bottles, you refill the same bottle throughout the day — at home, at work, or while running errands. This single shift quietly reduces a lot of plastic while helping you save money from impulse drink purchases.

The best bottle is the one you’ll actually grab and carry. Popular options include:

  • Stainless steel for all-day temperature control
  • Lightweight plastic or Tritan if you prefer something light to carry
  • Glass if you like a clean taste and see-through style

EcoChyce tip: Keep your bottle in a “launch spot” — by the front door, in your work bag, or next to your keys — so taking it with you becomes automatic.

Stainless Steel

Bambaw Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Durable insulated bottle that keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12—perfect for everyday use.

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Lightweight Bottle

Nalgene Sustain Tritan BPA-Free Water Bottle

Ultra-light, durable, and easy to carry—perfect for commuting, errands, or long days out.

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Glass Bottle

Lifefactory 22-Ounce Glass Water Bottle

Clean-tasting glass with a protective silicone sleeve—ideal for home, office, and everyday hydration.

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EcoChyce may earn a small commission if you choose a bottle through links on this page. This supports our mission of making sustainable living simple and accessible.

Reusable #2: Grocery & Tote Bags You’ll Actually Remember to Use

Reusable grocery and tote bags are one of the most practical sustainable swaps. They replace multiple single-use plastic bags every time you shop — and they last for years. They’re simple, durable, and incredibly useful beyond just groceries.

The key is to choose bags that are comfortable to carry and easy to remember. The right bag becomes part of your weekly rhythm, not an extra chore.

  • Cotton totes for everyday errands
  • Nylon foldable bags for pockets and purses
  • Structured grocery bags that stand upright in carts
Reusable grocery tote bags flat-lay

EcoChyce tip: Keep tote bags in your car, by the door, or inside your work bag. Convenience makes the habit stick.

Foldable Nylon

SZUAH Reusable Grocery Bags (Foldable)

Lightweight, strong, and folds into a tiny pouch — perfect for pockets, cars, or purses.

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Cotton Tote

Organic Cotton, Washable & Eco-Friendly Tote Bag

A durable everyday tote made from organic cotton — great for errands, books, or light groceries.

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Structured Grocery Bag

SZUAH Reusable Grocery Bags (Foldable)

Strong reusable bags that stand upright — great for heavier groceries and organized shopping.

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EcoChyce may earn a small commission if you choose a bag through links on this page. This supports our mission of keeping ef living simple and accessible.

Reusable #3: Glass or Stainless Food Containers

Glass and stainless reusable food storage containers

Reusable food containers are perfect for storing leftovers, meal prep, produce, snacks, or even taking lunch to work. They help reduce how often you buy disposable plastics like takeout containers, cling wrap, and single-use meal boxes.

Choosing the right set makes food organization easier, not harder. The best containers stack well, seal tightly, and hold up through years of use.

  • Glass containers are oven-safe and stain-resistant
  • Stainless steel is lightweight and unbreakable
  • Divided compartments help with lunch or meal prep

EcoChyce tip: Start with 3–4 containers in your most-used sizes. A small curated set is easier to maintain than a big mismatched pile.

Glass Set

Pyrex Simply Store Glass Food Storage Container

Classic glass containers that go from fridge to oven and resist stains and odors — ideal for leftovers and meal prep.

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Stainless Steel

LunchBots Medium Trio II Snack Container

Durable stainless steel with three compartments — great for snacks, bento-style lunches, and plastic-free on-the-go eating.

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Divided Container

Prep Naturals Glass Meal Prep Containers

Glass meal prep containers with divided sections — perfect for portioning full meals and keeping foods separate.

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EcoChyce may earn a small commission if you choose a container through links on this page. This supports our mission of making ef living simple and beginner-friendly.

Reusable #4: Silicone Snack Bags for Snacks, Freezer, and Leftovers

Silicone snack bags are a reusable swap for single-use plastic bags. You can use them for snacks, freezer storage, leftovers, chopped veggies, and even toiletry kits when you travel. They seal well, wash easily, and last for years when cared for.

The goal isn’t to replace every plastic bag overnight — it’s to slowly shift your most common uses. Start with the things you reach for most: snacks, cut fruit, or freezer items.

  • Great for snacks on the go or lunches
  • Works in the fridge and freezer
  • Dishwasher-safe (top rack) or hand-washable
Colorful silicone snack bags

EcoChyce tip: Keep a clean silicone snack bag inside your everyday bag. When it’s already packed, you’re more likely to skip disposable options on the go.

Small Snack Size

Stasher Premium Silicone Reusable Food Storage Bag

A durable, plastic-free snack bag — seals tightly and works for fruit, nuts, or snacks on the go.

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Sandwich / Lunch Size

Stasher Premium Silicone Reusable Bag

Ideal for sandwiches, wraps, meal portions, freezer food, and plastic-free lunch storage.

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Stand-Up / Freezer Bag

Reusable Food Storage Stand-Up Bag

Great for freezer items, leftovers, soup, bulk foods, produce, or packing larger portions.

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EcoChyce may earn a small commission if you choose silicone snack bags through links on this page. This helps keep our ef guides and resources free to read.

Reusable #5: A Coffee Cup or Tumbler for Your Daily Drink

Reusable coffee cups and tumblers

If you’re a regular coffee or tea drinker, a reusable cup or tumbler can quietly cut a lot of single-use paper cups and plastic lids. Many cafés will happily fill your cup, and some even offer a small discount when you bring your own.

The best cup fits your routine: do you sip slowly at home, commute with a lid on, or grab coffee on your walk? Matching the cup to your actual habit makes it much easier to use every day.

  • Insulated tumblers keep drinks warm (or iced) for hours
  • Lightweight reusable cups are easy to toss in a bag
  • Glass or ceramic options feel more like a “home mug” on the go

EcoChyce tip: Pair your reusable cup with one specific routine — like your morning coffee run — so it becomes “part of the outfit” instead of one more thing to remember.

Insulated Tumbler

STANLEY Quencher H2.0 Tumbler

A double-wall insulated tumbler that keeps drinks hot or iced for hours — perfect for commuters and all-day sippers.

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Lightweight Cup

KeepCup Original Lightweight Reusable Coffee Cup

A slim, lightweight cup that’s easy to toss in a bag — ideal for city walks, errands, and quick café stops.

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Glass or Ceramic

Ello Jane 18oz Ceramic Travel Mug

A ceramic travel mug that feels like a home mug with a lid — perfect for cozy, slower-sipped drinks on the go.

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EcoChyce may earn a small commission if you choose a coffee cup or tumbler through links on this page. This helps support our work and keeps these ef guides free.

Reusable #6: A Bamboo or Portable Cutlery Set for Eating On-the-Go

A portable cutlery set replaces single-use plastic forks, spoons, and knives when you're eating takeout, grabbing lunch at work, or traveling. It’s one of the smallest but most powerful low-waste habits — especially if you eat out often.

Bamboo sets are lightweight and renewable, while stainless steel sets last forever and feel closest to real cutlery. Some even come with chopsticks, straws, or a travel pouch.

  • Great for work lunches or school meals
  • Helpful for travelers who prefer avoiding disposables
  • Easy to rinse and store in a small pouch
Reusable bamboo and stainless cutlery sets

EcoChyce tip: Keep your cutlery set in your work bag or car so it’s always with you when you need it — no extra planning required.

Bamboo Set

MeeRoh 100% Eco-Friendly Bamboo Disposable Cutlery Set

A lightweight bamboo set made from renewable materials — perfect for work lunches or picnics.

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Stainless Travel Set

Berglander Flatware Set

A sturdy stainless steel set that feels closest to real cutlery — long-lasting and great for daily use.

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Travel Pouch Set

YDYTOP Reusable Travel Utensils Set

A compact reusable set with a travel pouch — ideal for commuting, trips, or meals on-the-go.

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EcoChyce may earn a small commission if you choose a cutlery set through links on this page. This helps support our mission of making ef living simple and stress-free.

Reusable #7: Dishcloths, Towels & Cloth Napkins

Reusable dishcloths, towels, and cloth napkins

Reusable cloths and towels quietly replace a lot of paper towels and single-use napkins. Swedish dishcloths, unpaper towels, and simple cloth napkins can handle spills, wipe counters, and make meals feel a little more intentional — without extra waste.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s about having a small stack of reusable cloths within reach so grabbing one becomes easier than reaching for another roll of paper towels.

  • Swedish dishcloths that replace dozens of paper towel rolls
  • Unpaper towels on a roll or stacked in a basket
  • Simple cotton napkins that elevate everyday meals

EcoChyce tip: Keep clean cloths in a visible basket on the counter and a small bin or hook nearby for used ones. When the system is obvious, reusing them feels effortless.

Swedish Dishcloths

Eulnars Swedish Dishcloths for Kitchen

Ultra-absorbent cloths that can be used, washed, and reused — a single dishcloth can replace many rolls of paper towels.

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Unpaper Towels

Marley's Monsters UNpaper Towels

Soft, reusable towels that can be rolled onto a paper towel holder or stacked — perfect for wiping counters and quick spills.

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Cloth Napkins

Utopia Kitchen White Cloth Napkins

Simple, washable napkins that make everyday meals feel a bit more special while cutting down on disposable paper napkins.

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EcoChyce may earn a small commission if you choose reusable cloths through links on this page. This supports our mission of making ef living simple, cozy, and practical.

Quick Start Guide: Your 7 Reusable Swaps

You don’t need all seven reusables to make a difference. Start with one this week, add another next month, and let your habits grow naturally.

  • Reusable Water Bottle
  • Reusable Grocery / Tote Bags
  • Glass or Stainless Food Containers
  • Silicone Snack Bags
  • Reusable Coffee Cup or Tumbler
  • Bamboo or Portable Cutlery Set
  • Washable Cotton Cloths / “Unpaper Towels”

🍃 EcoChyce tip: Choose the swap you’ll use the most this week. Then choose your next swap based on convenience, not pressure. Small and steady changes have the biggest long-term impact.

Small Reusables, Big Everyday Impact

Building a lower-waste life doesn’t have to mean perfection, mason jars everywhere, or a totally new routine. It can simply look like carrying a bottle you love, keeping a tote by the door, or grabbing a reusable cup for your daily drink.

These seven reusables are meant to meet you where you are. Even if you only choose one or two, you’re already cutting waste, saving money, and practicing a calmer, more intentional way of consuming.

🌱 EcoChyce reminder: Your effort counts even when it’s small and quiet. One reusable in your bag or kitchen is already a step toward the world you want to live in.

Ready for your next tiny shift?

Explore more ef ideas and small-home swaps in our guides below.

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