These reusable products can be used again and again, helping you save money and reduce waste!
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Where I live in North Carolina, this time of year we often see all four seasons in one week’s forecast. Just this week we have had snow, rain, and today, full sunshine and warmth.
As soon as the first sunny days start coming around February, I start dreaming of Spring and picnics and simply getting out of the house more often– even if it’s just lunch in the sun in the backyard.
Over time, I have built up a collection of reusable products to use not only for picnics, but also for daily use in my kitchen and elsewhere. I have been able to replace many (not all!) of our disposable wraps and bags and cups with reusable options.
We still have plastic bags, paper towels, and a box of plastic wrap, but we try to use them sparingly. And with quality reusable products, this really is not difficult to do.
Benefits of investing in quality reusable products ::
- Saves money. You will spend a little money upfront, but reusing the products over and over saves a lot of money over the years.
- Nice to look at. I consider this benefit just as important as the others. I like using pretty things, brightly colored items, and fun designs. They add beauty and fun to our lives.
- Better for the environment. Every family can make a difference by reducing their waste in little ways. Swapping disposable straws for reusable straws, filling up water bottles at home instead of using disposable plastic bottles, using reusable bags instead of ziplock bags, etc. Every little bit counts.
- Safer to use. We do use some plastic, but the majority of our storage is in stainless steel and glass.
I keep all of these items in baskets in easy reach in my kitchen. Just remember that you don’t have to swap your kitchen out for reusable products all at once. Make small changes over time.
Check out a video with all my favorite reusable products on YouTube
I ordered most of them from Amazon, but the first two products are from Grove Collaborative. The bags and beeswax wrap are items that we use daily. If you’re not familiar with Grove, it is a subscription service in which you can order your favorite natural cleaning and beauty products to be delivered right to your door.
If you want to order the bags or beeswax and you are a new Grove user, you can sign up and get a set of Mrs. Meyers spring cleaners for free. Go here to sign up!
12 Best Reusable Products You Will Use Again and Again
1. Grove Plastic Bags
I can’t recommend these bags highly enough! We have a big collection in each of the three sizes and use them for snacks, picnics, kitchen storage, and even for storing other household items as needed.
They are great quality and easy to clean. Find them on Grove Collaborative.
2. Beeswax Wraps
These wraps are another Grove item that we use and love. They can be used for covering all sorts of food items. We use them for cheeses, produce, loaf bread, etc.
The wrap uses the warmth of your hands to stick to itself and preserve foods. They easily wash up in cold, soapy water.
3. Plastic mason jar lids
These lids are so colorful and fun! I like using the plastic lids on picnics too for little plates for the food.
4. Silicon mason jar sleeves
I recently discovered these jar sleeves thanks to a blogger I follow on Instagram. They slip snugly over mason jars to protect them from breaking if dropped or set down too hard.
Plus, the designs and colors bring joy (which is saying a lot since I already get a lot of joy simply from using mason jars).
5. Cloth tote bags
I pull our tote bags out almost every time we leave the house for books, water bottles, diapers, etc. Then I toss them in the wash whenever they need refreshing.
6. Mesh produce bags
When I remember them, these mesh bags are so handy at the grocery store and help reduce the plastic bags that would just be tossed in the trash when we get home.
This set comes with an assortment of sizes. (Pssst: They are good for a lot more than grocery runs.)
7. Stainless steel cups & straws
I bought these cups for my kids’ Christmas stockings, and they have been used regularly since. Each child has a different color, so it’s easy to keep track of whose cups is whose.
The cups and straws are stainless so they are super easy to clean.
8. Stainless steel water bottles
Reusable water bottles are an ESSENTIAL item for any family that wants to reduce waste, save money, and live healthy. We have had a variety of bottles over the years, but I really love the simplicity of these bottles. (There are not little parts to clean or get moldy).
The bottles are stainless steel inside and have different patterns on the outside, making them perfect for families with multiple kids.
9. Reusable plastic straws
Swapping disposable straws for reusable ones is a really easy change to make!
10. Insulated cooler backpack
I think I have bought a new cooler every spring for years in search of the right one. I think I have finally found the perfect cooler now!
I love how spacious the bag is, the extra pockets, and that it is narrow enough to fit on the stroller.
11. Reusable grocery bags
I love my reusable grocery bags… for so much more than groceries. They come in handy all the time, and I try to always remember to toss one in my purse or stroller when we are out because you never know when you’ll need a bag for dirty clothes, treasures, food, etc.
(I especially love that they fold up so compactly).
12. Silicon bowl covers
Ditch the plastic wrap for reusable bowl covers. They stretch over the bowls easily and wash up easily too. They are also great for covering half cut onions, cabbages, etc.
Wow !!! Your reusable items gave me nice and cool ideas I like you stainless steel cups
Well, that’s very useful post and inspiring too. Thanks for sharing.
I love reusable grocery bags! Thanks for this list, I’ve been looking for the reusable stretchy lids and a new cooler backpack for my husband!
I recently found metal mason jar lids at Walmart of all places. I love the, because they are not plastic and I can put them in my dishwasher. I hand wash the few plastic items we still have (mostly Glasdlock and Pyrex lids), so anything that am can be put in the dishwasher is less time at the sink.
Hello Lisa,
Your articles are really interesting and i get a lot of ideas from reading. Thank you for sharing.
I recently got the Stainless steel cups and straws for my kids and they always want to use it if they have to drink anything.
There’s a lot of ways we can do to recycle the things we thought we don’t need anymore. We just have to be creative! Thank you for sharing this awesome article in regards to that matter. All the best!