The 16 Best Zero Waste Products of 2023

Best Sponges

Food52 Five Two Compostable Sponge Cloths

4.8

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Food52's Five Two Compostable Sponge Cleaning Cloths are ideal for scrubbing dishes, wiping down counters, and other daily kitchen tasks. They’re made from a combination of plant-based cellulose and cotton, and they come in a pack of ten gray cloths, each with a grid pattern in one of five colors. When we tested these sponges at home, we loved that they were super absorbent and could wipe up most spills with ease. They can be reused hundreds of times—just pop them in the dishwasher, washing machine, or microwave to routinely clean or sanitize them. In our testing period, we preferred the dishwasher method for its convenience, but it's nice to have options. We also appreciate that the gray color of the cloths is well-equipped to disguise smaller stains that might not wash out in the wash.

The cloths are larger than your average kitchen sponge and can be somewhat tricky to store. Still, the fact that they're effective, they're easy to clean in between uses, and you can compost them when you're done makes them winners in our book.

Price at time of publish: $29 for a set of ten

_{Dimensions: 6.75 x 8 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Cellulose, cotton | Colors: Mixed assortment}

Best Indoor Compost Bin

OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin

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If you're curious about composting, or perhaps you've already tried it and are ready to level up your equipment, we like this OXO indoor bin for collecting food scraps. It comes in multiple colors and sizes, ranging from 0.75 gallons to 1.75 gallons, and each model has a handle for easy transport. We've tested this bin in a home environment and found the attached flip-top lid great for keeping odors in. We also appreciate that the lid detaches for easier emptying and that you can run the bin through the dishwasher to get it clean. Now, one thing to note: Since this bin is constructed from plastic, it is susceptible to scratches. To prevent damage, you'll want to limit the use of hard utensils, like cutlery, to scrape out the food waste when emptying.

Price at time of publish: $23

_{Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.6 x 6.4 inches | Capacity: 0.75 gallons | Weight: 1.19 pounds | Material: Plastic | Available Colors: Charcoal, white, white/gray, white/green | Number of Compartments: 1}

Best Dish Scrubber

Brooklyn Made Natural Dish & Vegetable Scrub Brush

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Another alternative to plastic sponges is a dish scrubber that's made from all-natural materials like this one. Featuring a bamboo handle and hemp bristles, the little brush is stiff enough to wash pots, pans, and vegetables in your kitchen. Once the bristles wear out, you can simply compost the whole thing in your backyard. Make sure to store it in a dry space to prevent mold or mildew growth—this means you probably won't want to keep it in your sink. But as long as you have a secure spot nearby, it's sure to come in handy for post-meal cleanups.

Price at time of publish: $10

_{Dimensions: 3.25 inches | Weight: 0.2 pounds | Material: Bamboo, hemp, cotton rope | Color: Natural}

Best Food Wrap

Bee's Wrap Assorted Set, Three Sizes

4.2

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Instead of using plastic wrap to cover dishes and wrap sandwiches, try Bee’s Wraps. These food wraps are made from patterned organic cotton that’s coated with a combination of beeswax and tree resin, which creates a durable yet pliable wrap that can be reused many times. The warmth from your hands creates a seal around whatever you’re storing, and each wrap can last for up to a year with proper care.

When the wrap has reached the end of its life cycle and you're ready to dispose of it, the material can be composted. Some find that these don't seal as tightly as plastic wrap, so it may take you a little more time to create a tight seal with Bee's Wrap. (Or, consider using ties, rubber bands, or another type of reinforcement to keep the wrap in place.) Still, it's a great alternative to single-use plastic wrap.

Price at time of publish: $19 for three wraps

_{Dimensions: 7 x 8, 10 x 11, and 13 x 14 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Organic cotton, beeswax | Colors: 10 patterns}

Best Outdoor Compost Bin

Miracle-Gro Single Chamber Tumbling Composter 27.7 Gal

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At-home composting with a compost bin is a great way to reduce the waste you send to the landfill and add nutrients to garden soil. The Miracle-Gro Small Composter is a beginner-friendly model to add to your yard. This model has a 27.7-gallon capacity (you can also find an 18.5-gallon version), and it features a single-chamber tumbler that you can spin to aerate your compost. The bin is made from BPA-free plastic, and it’s mounted on rust-proof stainless steel legs. There is some assembly required, which some users have noted can be tricky, so keep that in mind.

Price at time of publish: $86

_{Dimensions: 29.5 x 23 x 23.5 inches | Weight: 13 pounds | Material: BPA-free, food grade, UV-protected plastic | Color: Black}

Best Food Container

Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Container Set

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Imagine opening up your fridge and seeing your favorite foods displayed in tidy, organized stacks? These containers from Rubbermaid are designed for just that. With clear glass bases and locking plastic lids, you can use them for leftovers, food prep, packed lunches, or even simple snacking. Both the base and lid of each container is dishwasher-safe, and you can pop the glass base in the oven to reheat food (up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit). With multiple sets and sizes to choose from, you can grab a small set to cover basics, or a larger set to help you reorganize your entire fridge.

Now, we don't love that the lids are made from plastic, even if it's BPA-free—but we do like that they're designed to give an airtight seal to prevent leaks. Given that these containers are durable and you can reuse them to your heart's content, we think they're a convenient, long-lasting option for food storage.

Price at time of publish: $56 for four containers and four lids

_{Dimensions: Varies | Weight: 6.67 pounds | Material: Glass | Color: Transparent}

Best Dishwasher Detergent

Dropps Dishwasher Detergent

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Dropps is a go-to destination for low-waste cleaning supplies, and the brand’s dishwasher detergent pods are a popular item. The pods contain a triple-action detergent that effectively removes baked-on food and stains without any pre-washing, and the formula is free from dyes, chlorine, phosphates, and phthalates. They're available in unscented, lemon, or fresh rain options, and unlike many other dishwasher detergent pods, they’re shipped in compostable packaging with carbon-neutral shipping.

Price at time of publish: $14 for 32 pods

_{Dimensions: Not listed | Weight: 9 grams | Material: Mineral-based ingredients | Scents: Unscented, lemon, fresh rain}

Best Dryer Balls

Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls

5

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Instead of using a disposable dryer sheet in the wash, you can opt for wool dryer balls to help speed up the drying process and soften your clothes. We like that this Smart Sheep set comes in a batch of six, giving you plenty of wool balls for laundry loads of all sizes, yet are still relatively budget-friendly. Plus, since they're meant to last for up to 1,000 washes, you can count on them to get you through years (and years!) of laundry. Now, one caveat is that unlike some sets, these don't come with a storage bag, so be prepared to store them in your dryer between uses or set aside another designated spot for them in your laundry room.

Price at time of publish: $30 for six

_{Dimensions: 3-inch diameter | Weight: Not listed | Material: Wool | Color: Natural}

Best Trash Bags

UNNI 100% Compostable Bags, 13 Gallon, 50 Count

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The UNNI Compostable Trash Bags are a more eco-friendly alternative to plastic trash bags. These bags are made from plant-based materials and Certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute as compostable. The bags should be used within a year of purchase. It’s also important to note that the material will start to decompose if exposed to heat or moisture, so they’re not the best long-term option for food waste or other wet trash. Available in sizes ranging from 3 to 55 gallons, you should be able to find a pack that suits your trash can.

Price at time of publish: $20 for 50 bags

_{Dimensions: 23.75 x 31.5 inches | Weight: 2.7 pounds | Material: Plant starch | Color: Green} 

Best Hand Soap

Blueland Hand Soap Duo

4.2

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We’ve tested a variety of eco-friendly Blueland products, and one of our favorites is the brand’s hand soap, which you can buy as part of a bundle or on its own. The soap comes with two 9-ounce glass bottles, as well as dissolvable tablets that you mix with water. Even better, there are six glass colors to choose from, so you can match your kitchen and bathroom.

We loved the silky consistency of the foam soap, which was gentle without drying out our hands. The only downside is the tablets take quite a while to dissolve, so you have to wait roughly 20 minutes before using the product—so you'll want to plan ahead to ensure you're not out of soap at an inopportune time.

Price at time of publish: $15

_{Dimensions: 7.25 x 2.75 inches | Weight: 9 ounces | Material: Glass bottle, plastic-free refill tablets | Scents: Iris agave, perrine lemon, lavender eucalyptus}

Best All-Purpose Cleaner

Grove Co. Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate

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If you'd prefer to not buy a new plastic bottle of all-purpose cleaner each time you run out, you can reuse one bottle and simply refill it at home using Grove Co.'s Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate. The grease-fighting formula is made with 92 percent plant-based ingredients, and it’s free from parabens, phthalates, phosphates, formaldehyde, synthetic dyes, ammonia, and chlorine bleach. There are a variety of scents to choose from, and all you have to do is mix the concentrate with water and then start cleaning. And when they say "multi-purpose," they really mean it—it's suitable for a variety of non-porous surfaces from ceramic to chrome to stainless steel. However, it's best to avoid using it on aluminum, brass, or wood surfaces.

Price at time of publish: $8 for two bottles

_{Dimensions: Not listed | Weight: 1 ounce | Material: Glass bottle, plant-based ingredients | Scents: Free & clear, orange & rosemary, apple & pear blossom, lavender & thyme}

Best Produce Bags

Purifyou Reusable Cotton Mesh Bags (9-Piece Set)

5

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Instead of grabbing those single-use plastic bags at the grocery store, try collecting your fruits and veggies in a reusable produce bag. This set comes with nine bags in varying sizes, and they’re ideal for storing produce, bulk dry ingredients, and other groceries. The bags are made from organic cotton with drawstring closures, and they’re machine-washable, too. The material may be too opaque to see produce stickers through them at checkout, but you can easily remedy that by removing a sticker from the produce and placing it on the outside of the bag or on the tare tag for the cashier to see at a glance.

Price at time of publish: $36 for 9 bags

_{Dimensions: 12 x 8, 12 x 14, 12 x 17 inches | Weight: 1.32 pounds | Material: Organic cotton | Color: Natural}

Best Shopping Bags

BeeGreen Reusable Grocery Bags

4.5

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More stores are doing away with plastic bags, which is why it’s always a good idea to have a few reusable grocery bags in your car. We tested and reviewed the BeeGreen Bags, which are made from ripstop polyester, and we love that they’re incredibly spacious and can be carried over your shoulder, thanks to their large handles. The bags come in sets of five, and they’re machine-washable and fold down into a compact form for easy storage. And, even better—not only are they convenient but they're strong, too. Each bag can carry up to 40 pounds.

Price at time of publish: $19 for five bags

_{Dimensions: 16 x 15 x 6 inches | Weight: 1.6 ounces | Material: Ripstop polyester | Colors: 15 colors and pattern combinations}

Best Reusable Straws

Hiware 12-Pack Reusable Stainless Steel Metal Straws

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If you like sipping beverages through a straw, the Hiware Stainless Steel Straws are the perfect alternative to single-use plastic straws. They come in a pack of 12 that includes six straight straws and six bent straws. The straws come in two different lengths that fit most 30- and 20-ounce reusable tumblers. They're made from food-grade stainless steel, and the set comes with two nylon cleaning brushes for easy cleaning. Your order will also include a convenient, canvas-like carrying bag, so you can pop one into a purse or backpack and have it readily available the next time you're out at your favorite coffee shop.

Price at time of publish: $12 for 12 straws

_{Dimensions: 8.5 and 10.5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: 18/8 food-grade stainless steel, nylon, fabric | Colors: Silver, black, gold, rainbow, rose gold}

Best Snack Bags

Stasher Reusable Silicone Bag

4.5

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Silicone containers like the Stasher Sandwich Bag are a great zero-waste option for your family’s daily lunches. These bags are made from food-grade, non-toxic platinum silicone, and they can be used to store a wide range of foods, thanks to their leak-proof seals. Unlike many cheaper reusable plastic bags, Stasher bags are dishwasher safe. You can even use them in the microwave and freezer, too.

Need to jot down what's in the bag or an expiration date? You can write on the exterior with chalk or non-toxic dry-erase marker. Now, if you've never used reusable baggies before, you'll want to turn them upside down to air dry, so you might want to have an extra rack or even a few cups you can drape them over at the ready.

Price at time of publish: $13

_{Dimensions: 7.5 x 7 x 1 inches | Weight: 2.7 ounces | Material: Food-grade silicone | Colors: Dozens of colors and patterns}