Easy Eco-Friendly Swaps to Save over $1000 a Year!

Dec 31, 2022, Updated Apr 17, 2024

This post contains affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

As we look towards a new year, we’re setting resolutions to save more and use less – buying less and focusing on healthier products that have less chemicals, that are friendlier on our wallets and the environment.

Often that comes at a high price – but it doesn’t have to! We’re spotlighting some of our favorite products and ideas today to help you go green in 2023 – and beyond – that will help reduce your impact, chemical use, and monthly budget!

Sweet C’s will be publishing all sorts of new moneysaving tips and tricks this year to help you make the most of your budget in the future – be sure to sign up for our email list so you don’t miss a single one!

Why “go Green”?

Average people making daily decisions at the grocery store about what to buy (and not buy) is a powerful thing. You are the purchaser will encourage companies to make more or less of an item based on what you buy and how much of it you buy. If we want to live in a world where there is less waste and less trash being pushing into the earth in landfills, we have to choose the right products to buy.

There are many things you buy regularly that can be replaced with a reusable option that will help protect the earth and keep more cash in your pocket every time you reuse them instead of turning to a disposable option. Check these out.

Why “go Green”?
Use kitchen rags in place of paper towels – save $470 per year
Use stainless steel or glass containers in place of plastic bags – save $260 per year
Switch to Cloth Napkins – save $100 per year
Reusable Baking Mats and Food Covers – save $174 per year
So, what are you waiting for? – $1,004 per year total savings
Save Money By Eating At Home – Try these Recipes

Use kitchen rags in place of paper towels – save $470 per year

black and white terry cloth rags in a stack.

The average person uses 80 rolls of paper towels in a year! Thats a lot of trash in a landfill and at an average price of $1 per roll that’s $80 per person per year. I switched to using terry cloth rags about 3 years ago and only buy about 2 rolls for my family of 6 per year now (for those rare – throw up moments). It adds a small amount of laundry but its well worth it and sends less to the landfill.

Over the last 3 years I estimate my family of 6 has saved $1,410 dollars just by switching to terry cloths. I keep about 24 rags in a little basket at my house for kitchen and cleaning use.

These terry cloth towels are my favorite!

Use stainless steel or glass containers in place of plastic bags – save $260 per year

reusable metal food containers with lids

Plastic bags can be really useful, and I use to use a lot of them, especially in my kids’ lunches. I used to buy a 100 pack of sandwich bags each week. A 100 pack of Ziploc bags will set you back $5 so I was spending approximately $260 each year just on plastic bags.

I love these stainless-steel snack containers. They are dishwasher, oven, and freezer safe. Since they are stainless steel, they won’t break if you or your kids drop them.

If you prefer glass containers that are microwave safe too, I love these. Just remember they are a little more delicate.

Switch to Cloth Napkins – save $100 per year

stack of gray and blue napkins 12 pack in a stack.

My 4 boys go through a bazillion napkins at dinner, especially when there is pasta involved. The average person uses $100 worth of paper napkins in a year. That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up over the years and it adds up to a lot of completely unnecessary paper napkins in your local landfill.

I love these napkins since they wash really well and are super absorbent.

Reusable Baking Mats and Food Covers – save $174 per year

reusable food covers with colorful designs.

Items like tin foil, sera wrap, and parchment paper can be replaced with re-usable options.

I don’t like it when things stick or when there is unnecessary mess when baking and roasting in the oven, so I used to use a lot of parchment paper. I bought one 45ft roll of parchment paper per month which cost me $6.50 each time. That was $78 per year!

I have now used these silicone baking mats for years, they are still going strong, and I have been saving all the while.

Plastic wrap was a staple in my house and at $4 a roll and 2 rolls each month I didn’t think it was something I needed to give up. When I decided to go plastic free, I discovered my new favorite reusable elastic storage covers. They are plastic free and have a better seal than plastic wrap (plus they are super cute). I now save $96 per year on plastic wrap.

I love these reusable elastic storage covers, and they can be washed in the washing machine on cold. Be sure to check out all their cute designs too!

So, what are you waiting for? – $1,004 per year total savings

If you make these changes to your kitchen and pantry there will be a little more laundry and a few extra dishes. However, each time you use a reusable terry cloth to wipe down the counter or cover your leftovers with an elastic storage cover just remember the total amount you can save by making these small changes is $1,004 each year. Thats $2,008 in two years and $5,020 in five years. A little extra laundry and dishes is worth that, it’s time to make some changes!

Disclaimer: Your exact personal savings will be based on how much you spend on disposable products now, how many people are in your household, and what changes you choose to make.

Only have 30 minutes to get dinner on the table? Sign up for my 30 minute dinner plans direct to your inbox!
Find and shop my favorite products in my Amazon storefront here!