What is the easiest Plastic-Free July swap?

Start with the most common single-use item you use. For many people, this looks like a water bottle, shopping bag, or coffee cup. Now find a replacement that you already own and keep it in a place that is most convenient. Remember that consistency is better than perfection. One small change that fits naturally into your day will go much further than an entirely new routine that is difficult to maintain.

Is recycling enough to reduce plastic waste?

Although recycling is a good way to minimize plastic waste, it works best once you have reduced and reused first! Avoiding unnecessary packaging, choosing refillable products, and repurposing items can prevent waste from being created from the get-go.

Do I need to throw away the plastic products I already own?

Not in all cases! If an item is still safe and can be used in a new way, keeping it instead of throwing it out is less wasteful. Try to reuse plastic products as many times as you can, but once they have reached the end of their life, follow local recycling guidelines.

Simple Swaps to Make This Plastic-Free July

July 17, 2026

Plastic-Free July is in full swing, and now is a perfect time to break down what exactly this means. Plastic-Free July is a powerful global movement that began in Australia to help people worldwide become more aware of their plastic consumption and take action to reduce single-use plastic waste. Plastic wraps our groceries, holds our takeout, and appears in many of the products we use around the home, making it sometimes feel impossible to reduce our intake.

The good news is that this month isn’t about clearing every single piece of plastic out of your home or throwing away useful items to replace them with “eco” alternatives, which can lead to even more waste. A more sustainable place for you to start is to make smaller, more attainable swaps. This can look like opting not to use single-use items, choosing lower-waste alternatives, and repurposing items that you would normally throw out. Although recycling does have a role to play, reducing and reusing plastics are better tactics to stop the waste before it actually takes place.

Ready to join the movement? Below, we have included our top five most realistic swaps you can make to help Plastic-Free July feel a little easier and will hopefully build habits that will last well beyond the end of the month!

1. SHOP YOUR HOME FIRST

Before you decide to order a new matching set of glass jars or some summer gear from Amazon, have a look around your home, ask your neighbors, or even consider renting first. Extra takeout containers can serve as great organizing tools for craft supplies or hardware, empty pasta jars can hold other pantry staples, and that older water bottle hidden in the back of the cabinet still works just as well as a new one.

One of our go-tos is to hold one to plastic items and see if it's safe to be reused for a new purpose. However, when these plastic products reach the end of their life, have a look at recycling guidelines and dispose of them as advised.

Need a quick refresher on how to recycle? Our recycling guide breaks down the basics in a way anyone can understand!

2. PACK A KIT TO KEEP ON THE GO

People often end up using single-use plastic purely out of convenience. You accidentally leave the house without a water bottle, accept disposable cutlery along with your lunch, or forget your reusable mug at home for your coffee. That is why our second tip is to create a reusable kit.

There is no need to go out and purchase a special kit; everything you need is already at your disposal:

A reusable water bottle/mug
Metal/bamboo utensils
A reusable container
A cloth napkin
A foldable shopping bag

Make sure to put this kit in a spot where you’re most likely to need it. This might be the glove compartment in your car or by the front door. After using the kit, make sure to clean and dry it before you put it back in its spot for the next time you need it!

3. SAY GOODBYE TO EXCESS PACKAGING

The grocery store is the easiest place to find excess plastic. Individually wrapped snacks, bagged produce, bottled drinks, and cling film are only the beginning…

When you go on your next trip to the supermarket, choose loose vegetables and fruits, bring reusable produce bags, and look for pantry basics in paper, glass, or bulk formats.

We also recommend that you avoid using plastic wrap and instead use jars and reusable containers. Again, the goal isn’t perfection! A collection of containers you already have in your cupboard is a more sustainable option than buying a new set of plastic organizers.

Speaking about your fridge, now is probably a good time to assess your weekly food waste. Store leftovers where you can see them so you don’t accidentally forget them and let them go to waste. We also recommend that you plan one “use-it-up” meal each week to help with food-waste reduction.

4. GO WITH CONCENTRATED & REFILLABLE CLEANING ESSENTIALS

Cleaning is one of those routines that we don’t realize brings a steady stream of plastic bottles into our homes. Here at AspenClean, we challenge you this Plastic-Free July to flip this behavior. Rather than buying a new bottle when a spray or soap runs out, keep the container and see if it can be refilled.

Many cleaning products found today are made up of predominantly water. Instead of paying for essentially water, add the water from home and some concentrate, and voila, you have a brand new cleaner. Our Natural All-In-One Cleaner Concentrate makes up to 35 bottles of multi-surface cleaner! By choosing to use cleaner concentrates and refills, not only do you save money and plastic, but also space under the sink.

5. PLASTIC-FREE PACKAGING IS THE NEW NORM!

Your cleaning routine most likely consists of tasks that you perform more often than others. Laundry and dishes, for example, are part of most weekly routines, making detergent packaging a practical place to reduce household plastic waste. This is why we here at AspenClean began with this very process, designing an entire plastic-free collection that includes laundry/dishwasher detergents and pods!

These products are packaged in zero-plastic, compostable containers, allowing you to easily reduce waste without the need to add any extra steps to your routine or compromise on cleaning power! It may seem like a simple swap that might not make much of a difference, but when it is repeated time after time, it turns into a more meaningful change.

HOW IS ASPENCLEAN MOVING TOWARDS ZERO WASTE?

At AspenClean, our mission has always been centered around creating green, eco-friendly cleaning products that are safe for families, pets, and the planet. That’s why we’re proud to offer a growing zero-waste collection featuring our laundry and dishwasher pods and powders, oxygen bleach, and more, all made from plant-based ingredients and packaged in 100% plastic-free, compostable containers. All of the AspenClean bottles are also made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, representing our dedication to our customers' and the planet’s health.

When providing house-cleaning services, we follow a strict refill-and-reuse system for all bottles and microfiber cloths. Doing so ensures that we do our part in minimizing our waste while continuing to deliver a thorough clean for our clients.

Looking to learn more about living sustainably? Check out our eco-conscious blog for tips, insights, and inspiration on embracing a cleaner, greener lifestyle.

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