With records showing that upwards of 3.3. billion pieces of domestic plastic are thrown away every week in the UK.[1], many companies are pledging to make a change to tackle the issue.

Though large-scale changes towards sustainability are needed, sustainable retailer, Ecovibe, champion the small, yet impactful changes that people can make at home to truly make a difference to the planet.

Here, they offer some top eco alternatives to our everyday essentials that are so similar, you won’t even notice a difference!

Swap Plastic Straws for Bamboo or Stainless-Steel

Before the government’s ban on plastic straws within public hospitality, the UK was using 4.7 million of them every year[2], so an eco-alternative was well overdue.

What’s the similarity? Bamboo and stainless-steel straws offer the same durability as their plastic counterparts. While paper straws can deteriorate slightly in liquid, these options hold their rigid structure, making them an ideal eco swap.

Why are they better? Both alternatives are reusable and recyclable, meaning they’re not only saving the environment, but saving your money too.

Swap Cotton Sheets for Bamboo Bedding

Non-organic cotton is often farmed with the use of toxic pesticides and insecticides, impacting on both the farmers and the wider environment.

What’s the similarity? Bamboo sheets look and feel exactly like regular bedding, you won’t even notice the difference.

Why are they better? Bamboo is naturally antibacterial, meaning these sheets are great for personal hygiene. Bamboo products tend to be organically grown without the use of pesticides, fertilisers, and other pesky preservatives, so the farming process isn’t hurting our planet.

Swap Plastic Lunch Boxes for Rice Husk Lunch Boxes

Food and drink packaging was reported as the second worst ocean polluter[3], meaning making a zero-waste swap will make a huge difference.

What’s the similarity? These eco-alternatives look and feel just like their plastic counterparts. They can hold both hot and cold contents and are secure, meaning they’re perfect for taking out and about.

Why are they better? Rise husk products don’t stain like plastic, meaning you won’t experience those pesky food stains you get with usual plastic Tupperware’s. Even better, despite their long shelf life, rice husk products are biodegradable, so they won’t pollute our planet.

· Swap Paper Kitchen Roll for Sugarcane and Bamboo Kitchen Roll

We rely on trees and paper for many of our essential products, so much so that 80,000 acres of rainforest are cut down a day to meet our needs[4]. Finding eco-alternatives that can help reduce this figure is a great step to protecting our ecosystems.

What’s the similarity? The texture and appearance of sugarcane and bamboo alternatives are almost identical and they’re equally as absorbent!

Why are they better? These zero-waste swaps are biodegradable, meaning they‘re not clogging up our drains or polluting our oceans. Once used, you can easily recycle or put them in compost to naturally decompose.

Similarly, bamboo and sugarcane farming have a low impact on the environment, so they are super sustainable too.

Swap Plastic Bin Bags for Biodegradable Alternatives

Bin liners are an everyday essential for people both in domestic and commercial buildings. However, their flimsy, thin material means that many are not recyclable and end up in landfill.

What’s the similarity? These biodegradable alternatives are just as leak proof as regular plastic liners, meaning you won’t compromise on quality and cleanliness. They also look and feel exactly like their plastic counterparts.

Why are they better? Made from plants, they are biodegradable and compostable, breaking down in just 6 months and helping to free the planet from waste.

These zero-waste swaps are certain to become some of your new everyday essentials and the best part is that they perform just as well as your current favourites (or maybe even better!) whilst supporting the conservation of the planet.