It is no secret that product waste is a leading contributor to the pollution in our oceans and landfills. The World Bank reports global waste hit two billion metric tons in 2016 with over half coming from food and plastic. Yet, we as citizens of the world only recycles 6% of plastics, leaving the rest in landfills and discarded in the environment. One way to help reduce the amount of waste is to ditch single-use and disposable items within your home for sustainable alternatives. Here are five sustainable swaps to help make your home more environmentally friendly.

1. Replace Plastic Cleaning Containers with Glass or Choose Tablet Cleansers

It's no secret that plastic is terrible for the environment. It takes centuries for plastic to decompose, and in the meantime, it litters our oceans and landfills. For cleaning products, opt for glass containers or sustainable tablet cleansers. Blueland is a sustainable cleaning brand that sells its cleaners in tablets and reusable bottles to get you started. Add water to the dissolvable tablet, and voilà! You have your cleaner in a bottle that you can use over and over again.

2. Purchase Bamboo Paper Goods Instead of Traditional Ones

Did you know Americans use about 13 billion pounds of paper towels a year? That’s a lot of waste going into landfills. Luckily, there are sustainable alternatives to traditional paper towels. Bamboo paper towels are one option. These towels can be composted and are biodegradable. The brand Reel offers both toilet paper and paper towels made from bamboo.

Another option is reusable paper towels. You can purchase them online or create your own out of old cotton t-shirts. They’re also available in sustainable packaging made from recycled materials.

3. Invest in Reusable Ziplock Bags and Containers

People often use ziplock bags once and once and then throw them away. That’s a lot of plastic waste that's easy to avoid. A sustainable option is to purchase reusable ziplock bags made from sustainable materials like silicone. You can use these bags multiple times, and they are freezer, dishwasher, and microwave-safe.

You can also find sustainable containers made from sustainable materials like bamboo and glass. Bamboo is a sustainable material that's biodegradable and durable. Plus, it has anti-microbial properties, so your food will stay fresh.

4. Ditch Cling Wrap for Reusable Wax Wraps

Cling wrap is another product that's bad for the environment. It takes centuries to decompose and is often found in landfills. If you're looking for a sustainable alternative, try reusable wax wraps.

They make wax wraps of sustainable materials like beeswax and cotton. You can reuse them multiple times, and they are a great way to keep your food fresh. Plus, they're compostable!

5. Choose Medicine from a Company Reducing Pharmaceutical Waste

On average, nearly $10 billion worth of perfectly good medications are disposed of each year in the U.S., polluting landfills and waterways.Through our partnership with SIRUM, Betr Remedies supports the saving and redistribution of those medications to those who need but cannot afford them. When you purchase your OTC products from us, you are supporting the reduction of pharmaceutical waste and encourage a sustainable system of those who can supporting those who can't.

Making sustainable swaps is a great way to reduce your environmental impact. It's also essential to compost, recycle, and reuse when possible. What sustainable swaps have you made in your home? Share in the comments below!