Reducing your plastic use doesn’t have to mean changing your entire lifestyle overnight. Sometimes the simplest swaps can make the biggest difference. At the Davis Food Co-op, we’re always looking for ways to make sustainable shopping easier, whether you’re picking up fresh produce or stocking your home with everyday cleaning essentials. Here are some of our favorite plastic-free and low-waste alternatives to help you reduce waste without sacrificing convenience or performance.
Did you know one of the most plastic-free departments in our store is Produce? While many grocery stores rely heavily on plastic packaging, we’ve made thoughtful choices to reduce unnecessary waste whenever possible.
Look for:
You can also skip disposable produce bags altogether by bringing your own reusable mesh produce bags or choosing our compostable produce bags available throughout the department.
Our favorite sustainable swaps are often powder versions of products!
Why Powder? Liquid detergents are made up largely of water. No need to pay, store, or transport water! Powders are more concentrated and pack a punch. Choose less filler ingredients, higher concentrated options and more natural clean using powerful enzyme cleaning that doesn’t require a pre-rinse or rinse aid. See easy swaps below that pack a punch. They will make you wish you switched sooner!
Laundry is one of the easiest places to reduce plastic in your home. Many of these products are also water-free, making them lighter to transport and reducing emissions associated with shipping.
Some of our favorite options include:
Prefer liquid detergent? Bring your own container and refill it with Oasis laundry detergent in our bulk department.
Whether you use a dishwasher or wash dishes by hand, there are plenty of low-waste alternatives to conventional plastic bottles. For automatic dishwashers, we carry:
If you prefer liquid dish soap, refill your own container with Oasis biocompatible dish soap from our bulk section.
For handwashing, pair your soap with reusable cleaning tools like:
Looking for one product that can do it all? We’ve got you covered.
For a completely plastic-free option, try Bon Ami or Bar Keepers Friend powdered cleansers.
If you prefer a liquid cleaner, Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Soap is one of our favorite multipurpose products. Purchase a bottle once and continue refilling it in our bulk department whenever you run out. If you don’t bring your own container, refill cartons are also available and use 86% less plastic than purchasing a new bottle.
Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap is incredibly versatile and can be used for:
One bottle can replace multiple cleaning products, making it an easy way to simplify your routine while reducing plastic waste.
Don’t forget everyday paper products! Caboo paper towels and toilet paper are made from sustainably sourced bamboo and sugarcane instead of trees, offering a plastic-free packaged alternative that helps conserve forests while reducing household waste.
Going plastic-free doesn’t have to happen all at once. Replacing just one product at a time can have a meaningful impact over the course of a year. Whether you’re refilling your laundry detergent, bringing reusable produce bags, or switching to a multipurpose cleaner, every small choice helps reduce waste and supports a healthier planet.
