When you first start off on your plastic-free journey, it can seem daunting. Most of our lives are filled with disposable plastics. But I like to tell newbies to eliminate before finding replacements. If there’s less stuff, in general, there’s less stuff you need to find a reusable replacement for. Here are 10 things I stopped buying and that don’t necessarily need a replacement.

1. Small Trash Bags

We have tiny trash cans in our bathrooms and we used to always line them with tiny trash bags we’d purchased. After the last roll of bags was used, we just stopped lining the cans. Instead, on trash day, my husband takes the cans or the inner bucket to our trash can to dump the contents.

2. Specialty Cleaners

Like most people, I used to have a special cleaner for every specific purpose—glass cleaner, toilet cleaner, granite cleaner, stainless steel cleaner, all-purpose cleaner and so on. I got rid of them all. Now, I just clean with vinegar, baking soda, and Castile soap. Technically, these are a replacement, but I already had these in the house for other reasons, so for me it still counts.

I talk more about cleaning solutions in Plastic-Free Cleaning.

3. Snack Bars

Not going to lie, I love the apple mango dried fruit bars from Trader Joe’s. They’re an easy snack to have in your car or to throw in your bag. But after I committed to plastic-free living, I stopped buying all snack bars and I didn’t bother trying to make my own.

To be honest, I didn’t need them. Most snack bars are usually loaded with sugar or, in the case of the apple mango bars, would get stuck in my teeth.

I generally snack less these days, but if I do, it’s usually some nuts or dried fruits I get from an online bulk shop.

4. Juice

Like most kids, mine love juice. But probably unlike most moms, I almost never buy it. I remember having a Capri Sun pouch with my lunch all the time as a kid growing up. Those pouches are barely juice and mostly sugar. Even juices that are 100% juice still have a lot of natural sugar with none of the fiber. So, unless it’s a birthday party or special occasion, no juice in the house for us.

5. Nail Polish Remover

I still occasionally wear nail polish but I hate the smell of remover. So, when my nail polish starts to chip, I either let it chip off naturally, or I try to peel it off. I know, it’s not the most professional look, but luckily, even without quarantine, I don’t interact with a lot of people for my job.

6. Make Up Remover

I really can’t remember the last time I bought makeup remover. Granted I only wear makeup on special occasions, I generally just use soap or coconut oil to remove make up.

7. Face Wash

Speaking of washing your face, I used to love the apricot scrub face washes or the ones that would burn just a little to make you feel like you’re getting a deep clean. After going plastic-free, I stopped buying all of them. Soap and water get the job done.

8. Toner / Astringent

After washing my face, I used to enjoy the toner or astringent for that stinging feeling which makes it feel like you get super clean. But really, it wasn’t something I needed. It was just a routine my mom taught me when I was younger and I never questioned it.

For me, that’s one of the best things about plastic-free living–it opens your eyes and makes you question things you’ve always just accepted as normal.

9. Wrapping Paper

I’ve stopped buying wrapping paper for a number of reasons. The main reason is that for the most part, I’ve stopped giving physical gifts to most of my friends and family. Instead, I give experience gifts or my friends and I just go enjoy dinner together.

My kids have received a few gifts from their grandparents via Amazon, which comes in a large fabric gift bag. We’ve saved those over the years and reuse them to wrap their Christmas presents.

For white elephant gift exchanges, I’ve wrapped presents in newspaper or recycled paper.

10. Fast Fashion

Lastly, since adopting a plastic-free lifestyle I’ve given up fast fashion. Fast fashion is the cheap “in season” items you buy and then it falls apart before it goes out of style next season. They’re most often made from synthetic materials like polyester and acrylic and are essentially plastic.

Since becoming a plastic-free minimalist, I’ve adopted a capsule wardrobe full of items I LOVE, are well-made, and are of natural fibers like cotton and silk.

What do you think? Can you eliminate some of these items from your routine? What are some things you’ve eliminated from your life since you’ve started plastic-free living?

For related and random posts, check out:

• Beginner’s Guide to Minimalism
• The 5 Outfits I Wear to Work