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From reusable tissues to a tea infuser shaped like the Grim Reaper, these finds make cutting down on waste feel less like a chore and more like collecting fun little life upgrades.

I'm a fellow on BuzzFeed's shopping team and a Brooklyn-based writer with an MFA in Creative Writing.

The bag is made from BPA-free, food-grade platinum silicone and folds shut for compact storage. It's also dishwasher safe, dries quickly, and can even go in the freezer for meal prep.

Promising review: "This is a great item. I have used it for sandwiches, leftover chicken, fried rice, etc. Just loosen the seal, and it is great to heat your food in the microwave without using another dish. I have not tried it with anything liquid. I am not sure how well that would work. The thing that sets it apart from similar items of other brands is that it completely opens out flat, and is easily cleaned in the dishwasher and easy to dry. I don't have to leave it on some type of stand overnight to dry. Highly recommend." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in six colors, including two-packs and a bundle with a smaller snack bag). 

Friendsheep is a small business specializing in plastic-free wool products that are handcrafted in Nepal with sustainability and ethical production in mind.

Promising review: "The static here is so bad, and we have terribly hard water. Clothes come out staticky and rough. Typically I would toss in five dryer sheets a load to make the clothes feel soft and to keep static at bay, but when the weather is dry like this, we often use liquid softener AND sheets. So, although some people may think — oh, she used a sheet... that's cheating! — you will have better perspective on where our laundry is starting off before moving over to these woolen balls. In the few loads I ran this weekend, I used no liquid, and a single sheet + these six balls to dry and the clothes came out softer than I have ever felt them and not a lick of static. As I walk around the house — not in stocking feet — I am shocking my sweet boyfriend every time I touch him or we hug, but these loads of laundry came out static free! I am in awe!" —Call of Kthalia

Get them from Amazon for $21+ (available in sets of three or six and a variety of designs, including penguins, honeybees, soot sprites, and more). 

Inspired by a tradition that's more than 1,300 years old, this washable furoshiki cloth offers an eco-friendlier alternative to single-use wrapping paper. The durable fabric also has stitched edges to help prevent fraying, so it can keep making the rounds for years to come.

Promising review: "This piece of cloth is absolutely beautiful! The vibrant shades of orange on the white koi against the jet black background highlighted with streaks of gold and flecks of silver is a work of art. The fabric is 100% cotton with a raised textured weave. I'm seriously thinking about having it mounted and framed to complement my other Asian art. You will not be disappointed." —G McCall

These patches are fragrance-free, made from medical-grade silicone, and are gentle enough for sensitive skin. They also come in a cute purple metal tin.

Promising review: "I use these for the wrinkle between my eyebrows on my forehead. I was using the disposable adhesive ones, which work well, but the adhesive was starting to give me a rash... I had some concern that the stickiness would wear off after maybe 10 uses (what the company claims), but I've used the same pair for waaay more than 10 times. As long as you wash them with a non-moisturizing soap, the stickiness doesn't seem to wear off. I'm happy that this feels like a sustainable product and works well." —LaLaLa

The soft silicone earplugs reduce noise by up to 24 decibels and come with four ear tip sizes. They're also comfortable enough for side-sleepers and come with a portable carrying case. 

Promising review: "I've tried every type of earplug on the market, and the Loop Quiet 2s are by far the most comfortable I've ever worn — including for sleep. I'm a side sleeper and was worried they'd dig into my ear, but they stay surprisingly comfortable all night long. They do occasionally fall out during sleep, which is my only real gripe, but it's a minor one. Noise-wise, they do exactly what I need. I can no longer hear my husband's CPAP machine or our dogs snoring, which means I'm actually getting restful sleep for the first time in ages. They block out most everyday noise without sealing you off from the world completely — I can still hear loud alerts like a smoke detector going off, which was honestly a dealbreaker requirement for me from a safety standpoint. It's a really smart balance." —Molly Adams

Get it from Amazon for $35.95 (available in three colors).

Promising review: "These have fit every bowl I've needed them to and a few odd-shaped containers as well. I love that if food gets on them, I can rinse them off and either hand wash or add them to a gentle cycle load in the washer. They keep bugs out of pitchers/glasses and opened cans that need to be put in the fridge temporarily. They have already proven to be a good investment." —CO Sunrise

Get the 10-piece set from Amazon for $14.99 (available in dozens of other designs).

Each set comes with a pouch, seven pads, and one laundry bag. 

Promising review: "I was skeptical at first, but this reusable makeup remover cloth truly lives up to its name — it erases makeup with just warm water and zero harsh chemicals. I’ve tried silicone pads, wipes, and oil cleansers, but nothing has been as simple, effective, and gentler on my skin as this cloth." —Brittany Engebretson

Get it from Amazon for $28 (available in a variety of colors and prints).

Because the cubes don't melt, your iced coffee, mocktail, cocktail, or soda stays cold without slowly morphing into a weaker version of itself. The colder the cubes are, the brighter their colors become (and vice versa). They can also be used to make your own reusable ice packs!

Promising review: "I have bought different versions of these from Amazon and they alway gave my drink a weird taste. This the first product that did not change the flavor of my drink. They do not seem to take any longer to freeze then regular water ice cubes but they last so much longer for me. Now I do use a thermal insulated cup but I can go up to 12 hours in heat with these cubes and they still keep my drinks cold." —Joshua Fox

Promising review: "I would highly recommend this product. The tissues are good quality cotton with tight well-sewn hems but that's not what makes Last Tissue so special. Any well-made hanky would perform like these tissues. The game changer is the case. The silicone case is durable and washable and provides a place to store a used tissue. THAT'S what's so great about this product. The sticking point for me with hankies was always that after you use it, it goes back in your pocket. With Last Tissue, the used tissue is going in the case and there's a silicone tab to keep the used tissue from the clean ones. My nose is much happier too. Disposable tissues deposit lint in your nose, that's why they're so irritating and why you should never use them to clean your glasses. They're scratchy. Last Tissue is very soft and my nose is less runny now that it's not constantly being irritated with disposable tissues." —Panda Selivanov

Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in six colors).

Promising review: "I have been struggling to find a surface to roll out my dough. I have tried other silicone mats and then chased them around the counter. Tried on the counter, tried in a pan. FINALLY broke down and bought this mat and I cannot say enough good things about it. It is nice and big, does not move when rolling out dough and it is cute to look at. Washed up beautifully. THIS mat is worth every penny, wish I would have bought is sooner instead of struggling like I was." —Beverly

Get it from Amazon for $9.49 (available in two colors and three sizes).

Each Rocketbook comes with a waterproof cover, a Pilot Frixion pen with erasable ink, a microfiber cloth, and seven page templates. You can also upload your notes to cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneNote via the companion app.

Promising review: "I was burdened by all the filled notebooks that I needed to keep, just in case I needed to refer back to my work notes. It's hard to find something you know might be in there without knowing where it might be. Enter Rocketbook. I can scan my notes (with some corrections), and if I need something, Windows can find it. I tested this feature after accumulating a couple of weeks' worth of notes (saving each day as a separate file) and then asked Windows to find a particular phrase. It worked beautifully and found many instances of that phrase — one I didn't even remember writing down. At the bottom of every page are seven icons. You can program them to be locations to where you want your scanned pages to go and what actions you want taken. For instance, I have two set up for personal notes/scans — one for email and one to go to my G-drive — both with scanning. If you were in school and part of a study group, you could make one of the icons go to a group email or to a group accessible cloud storage. The versatility here is endless." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in seven colors and two sizes, letter or executive).

Made from medical-grade silicone, the cup is free of BPA, phthalates, and bleaches, and features a double rim designed to pop open more easily and help prevent leaks.

Promising review: "I tried the Diva Cup about 10 years ago and failed miserably with it and went back to tampons. Well, if this genius cup had been around back then, I would have spared myself THOUSANDS of leaks from super OB tampon use! HERE'S WHAT I LOVE: It's leak free! No kidding! Super tampons have nothing on this! It's WAAAAY SMALLER. I'm nearly 40 with no pregnancies and it's not too small, in fact, I'd say if it were any bigger, it wouldn't fit. Diva Cup was way too big even with trimming that stem and eventually even trying to use it inside out to make it smaller, which gave ZERO grip in trying to get that bugger out! 🤦‍♀️ It has no stupid stem that I could never get a grip on, the ring makes it so much easier to wiggle it down! It's rigid enough to stay in place during bowel movements, but soft enough that I don't feel it in. And, the color hides staining." —Consumer Review

Get it from Amazon for $26.95 (you may need to click "see all buying options").

They feature leak protection in both the front and back and are cotton-lined to help keep a pad securely in place on heavier-flow days. They're also designed to withstand repeated washing and drying for years of reuse.

Promising review: "I have never had period panties before as a 20-something, but from a medicine change for three months, I had nearly constant (unpredictably heavy or light) periods after previously having abnormally infrequent ones and needed to figure out a way to keep hanging out with friends. Frequently, we would hike or hang for hours without breaks; it was an absolute nightmare. I read online about period panties and cups before and thought they sounded gross or scary, being unfamiliar myself with these products. On the edge of my rope and looking at tons of money possibly having to be spent on tampons and pads, I bought these, and no joke, they have been a lifesaver. They hold so much blood! Like I have had one leak in the three months of non-stop periods — one! Literally saved me more money than they cost and made me feel normal and comfortable in an absolutely terrible time in my life last year." —Paint Please

Get five pairs from Amazon for $34.99 (available in women's sizes XXS–4XL and in packs of neutrals and prints).

The reusable silicone infuser offers an eco-friendlier alternative to disposable tea bags and is easy to clean with either a quick rinse or a trip through the dishwasher. 

Promising review: "Let me just say it: This little Grim Reaper is the grim MVP of my kitchen. I bought the 'Grim Steeper' on a whim because who doesn’t want their tea steeped by the literal embodiment of death, right? Well, color me pleasantly surprised — this thing is not just hilarious, it’s also shockingly functional. First off: The silicone is high quality. Flexible, durable, and oddly huggable (if death ever needed a hug). The lid stays on tight so your loose tea doesn’t escape and ruin your vibe. The holes are perfect — not so big your leaves float out like rebellious spirits, and not so small it doesn’t steep properly. This baby knows its job and does it with sinister precision. And let’s talk about the aesthetic. I dropped him into my glass tea carafe and my boyfriend burst out laughing. There he was — my little skeletal friend just chillin’ at the bottom like he’s contemplating the meaning of life while steeping a solid cup of black tea. It’s giving gothic tea party, it’s giving adorably macabre, it’s giving 'till death do us steep.' If you drink tea and have even the slightest sense of humor (or a taste for the dark side), do yourself a favor and let the Grim Steeper haunt your mug. You’ll be dying for another cup." —Batwoman

Promising review: "I made cheeseburgers one afternoon, which put a cooked-on layer of cooked-on greasy residue in my 10-inch Lodge cast-iron pan. I put in a tiny squeeze of dishwashing liquid and added some very hot water. I picked up the Skoy pad, and started scrubbing. And that cooked on stuff came right off of the bottom of the pan. Like, immediately. I was surprised at how quickly this little flat colorful furry plastic thing had banished the layer of crusty crud without me needing to scrub hard, or for very long. It was almost like magic how fast the pan got clean. I rinsed out the skillet, and I couldn't clearly see the bottom because of the suds. 'I bet this scrubber didn't get *everything* off of the pan,' I mused cynically. After the next rinse, I could see that the bottom of the pan was indeed completely clean. No clinging, cooked-on meat residue; no lingering unseen, but could be felt, layers of grease. And while this little wonder pad had gotten the pan really clean, I discovered it had not removed the seasoning layer. Fantastic! When one little thing goes really well, it it just seems to make life better." —Laughing Sal

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $13.99 (also available in a monochromatic style and other pack sizes).

They also feature built-in LED indicators and anti-leak technology, so you don't have to worry about discovering a corroded mess inside your favorite gadget. 

Promising review: "I was tired of running through AAs a lot. Wanted a rechargeable battery set that would be easily recharged and high quality — these are great! Comes with four and each battery has a USB-C port to charge it. This is excellent as no more chunky charging blocks that you need to lug around. Each battery here can be charge with the same charger you use for your phones (USB-C). It comes with a four-way plug so you can charge all of them at once and it's non-proprietary which is nice. Ease of use is great, as simple as charging anything else USB-C. The batteries charge up quickly and seem to last about as long as normal batteries. I use them in various things, including a Swiffer. Has no problem powering something more powerful like that. With the cost of batteries as they are, these will pay for themselves in a few uses compared to normal batteries." —Tim H.

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $29.99 (also available in an eight-pack).

Promising review: "I tried everything. My full-size vacuum with attachments? Nope. My handheld Black & Decker? Nothing. Packing tape? Useless. I was honestly starting to panic because I have an important home visit coming up and didn’t want anyone leaving with cat hair all over a nice outfit. I even considered replacing or reupholstering the stools. Out of desperation, I ordered the ChomChom roller. It arrived about 20 minutes before I needed it, and I immediately put it to work. I’ll admit — after everything else failed, I was skeptical. But within minutes (less than eight for all four stools), they looked brand new. I wish I had taken before-and-after photos because the difference was unbelievable. It works like the 'Magic Eraser' of pet hair. You roll it back and forth with a little elbow grease, and it just pulls the hair up and traps it inside. When you’re done, you press the button, empty the chamber, and there it is — all the fur you didn’t think would budge. It’s weirdly satisfying." —Samara Sant

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in black and white, plus cat- and dog-themed versions).

They come with a mesh storage bag and make a great gift for birthdays, pool parties, and summer parties. 

Promising review: "Ah — proof that humanity has taken water balloon fights to a whole new level of eco-friendly mayhem. These little rubbery wonders might not look like much, but once you throw them into the fray, they become the unsung heroes of your backyard shenanigans, or the cause of regrettable wet chaos that will have you questioning your life choices for the next few hours. First off, let’s talk about the reusability — because nothing says 'I’m an adult, I’ve got my life together' like having a stash of water balloons that don’t turn into sad, deflated puddles of latex after one toss. You can literally fill them, throw them, pick them up, and throw them again like some sort of sick water bomb boomerang. Seriously, it's like a party that never ends, except with fewer cleanup headaches (unless you’re the one who keeps getting soaked). The filling process? Far superior to your standard water balloon nightmare. These things have a nice wide opening that makes you wonder why anyone ever bothered tying single-use balloons in the first place. No more frustration — just dunk and go. If you’re looking for sustainable, ridiculously fun backyard chaos that you can reuse, rinse, and repeat, then these water bomb balloons are the ultimate weapon in your summer arsenal. —Gigner

Get a set of 16 from Amazon for $33.99 (also available in other pack sizes).

Promising review: "I love how eco friendly this razor is since disposable ones end up in our landfill but have a hard time decomposing. Not only that it shaves super easily and sleek but BE WARNED that if you make any slight horizontal movement you can cut yourself so be cautious. It’s my first time using a razor like this and I haven’t cut myself accidentally. 100% buy if you want a lifetime razor, to help the environment, and a fresh clean shave every time." —Belinda Beato

Get it from Amazon for $17.40+ (available in eight colors and with or without a stand).

The plant-based concentrate is free of phthalates, parabens, and fragrances, and uses natural ingredients like chamomile flower extract and baking soda to deliver powerful cleaning without toxic chemicals. Besides the concentrate itself, you'll get five dedicated bottles: all-purpose (24 ounces, bathroom (24 ounces), streak-free (24 ounces), foaming wash (10 fl ounces) and laundry (32 ounces).  After that, you can just keep refilling and reusing! 

Promising review: "I have been very happy with my Branch Basics kit! I was thoroughly impressed by the powder combined with the all-purpose spray- I was able to remove deep baked-on layers from my stainless steel pan that I thought were there forever. So happy to have a formula I can use for everything around the house, and not have to be worried about toxic ingredients." —Greg Plyler

Get it from Amazon for $75+ (available in both reusable plastic and glass bottles).

The BPA-free popper has an ergonomic handle and is thermal-shock resistant. FYI, it's only for microwaves with turntables.

Promising review: "I love this little Popcorn Popper. I don't want to use any oil doing it the traditional way on the stovetop. It is very hard to find the no-butter kind of microwavable bags in the store, not to mention the price! I eat a lot of popcorn now with this microwaveable pot. I use spray butter after it is put into the bowl. My husband uses the top of the container, which is made for putting the butter on and it melts right on to the popcorn. We can have our own popcorn just the way we want it." —Eileen

Get a 3-quart popper from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in six colors and a smaller 1.5-quart size).

The biodegradable wraps resist fraying and can simply be trimmed if they ever start to. They also come with a reusable produce bag and can be cleaned with cool water and a small amount of mild soap before being hung to dry.

Promising review: "If you are trying to move away from plastic use, these are a good way to start. They are reusable, can be washed, and when wrapped around a sandwich, can add a little whimsy to your lunch. Your sandwich won't dry out. The mesh bag is handy for produce and a good size. The button with string on the two larger cloths are an added bonus. It makes it easier to secure. I will be buying more of these. I use the smaller ones to keep my grating cheese (Parmesan, Romano). It keeps it fresh and it doesn't dry out. It smells like beeswax and that's it. I have used mine many times since I got them and they are still good." —Joanne

The towels measure about 10 by 12 inches, making them suitable for everything from drying dishes to cleaning countertops. They can also be used throughout the kitchen, bathroom, nursery, and beyond.

Padtastic is a small business based in Washington that specializes in handmade reusables, including towels and pads.

Promising review: "These are great for just little spills, drying towels, napkins, lots of stuff. And I'm glad I'm not wasting as many paper towels." —Katie

Get a set from Padtastic on Etsy for $16.15+ (available in sets of 12 or 24, a sample set of four, six print themes, or a surprise print mix).

Promising review: "Calling these microfiber towels rags does not do them justice! There is little that they cannot clean. They work equally well on your car tires and your fine porcelain. They do not scratch and they do not leave any lint behind. They are also super absorbent. According to the manufacturer, these can be washed and dried and reused up to 50 times each. Do not use bleach as that will degrade the towel. Also, don’t use fabric softener because it will make them less absorbent. Reusing these 50 times would make them the equivalent of 2,000 paper towels! We use a top-rated brand of paper towels in our home and 2,000 sheets of those would cost almost $64. That’s almost three times the cost of these 'eco-friendly' towels. They are a bargain that you can feel good about. 

"UPDATE: If I could give this product 10 stars, I would. I have had the roll for about a year and initially took off about ten of the towels before storing the rest. We use them every day for kitchen clean up and they are washed after each use. One year later and I am still using the initial 10. Awesome product!" —Emee

Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in eight colors and in rolls of 40, 60, or 90 sheets).

The filling station combines filling, pressing, and dispensing into one gadget, so there are fewer pieces to juggle during meal prep. The BPA-free pouches are also dishwasher safe, freezer safe, and portable for on-the-go snacking. 

Promising review: "Right, listen — this baby food packet maker is an absolute dream. I’m used to gadgets that promise the world and deliver pure chaos, but this thing? It actually works. It’s so easy to use it practically shouts, 'Calm down, chef, I’ve got this!' You steam, you blend, you squeeze — done. No fuss, no drama, no ingredients flying across the counter like a food fight. The packets fill smoothly without spilling everywhere, which is a miracle in itself. And cleaning it? Simple. Fast. Almost suspiciously painless. Honestly, if every kitchen tool worked this effortlessly, I’d have far fewer reasons to yell. Brilliant bit of kit — makes baby food prep faster than you can say, 'It’s raw!' but in this case… It’s perfectly smooth and ready for the little one. Absolutely recommend it. Bon appétit, baby! 👶🍐" —Marty Robinson

Get it from Amazon for $20.47+ (available in two colors, with additional reusable pouches sold separately). 

They also come in six cute patterns that make cleaning up spilled pasta sauce feel marginally more charming.

Promising review: "Bought these on a whim after an ad showed up on my phone. I will say, they are fun and cute, but most impressive that they do not get that nasty wet dishrag smell! I wash in the sink with soap in between uses, then throw in the wash machine for full cleaning. They dry stiff, so in the shape you last left them to dry. I just drape mine over the sink partition. They do absorb well." — M. Eggers

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (available in seven sets of prints).

Made from microfiber and chenille, the pads are designed to clean grime and absorb spills without scratching surfaces. They can also be used on hardwood, tile, vinyl, cement, windows, glass, and even kitchen walls.

Promising review: "These are fantastic for cleaning walls! I wanted that Chomp wall mop set, but I didn't want to pay for it or have 50 different tools with different accessories and parts that can't be used with anything else. And then you have to spend $100 to get additional pieces so you don't run out of clean covers or whatever else you need as you clean. Fortunately, I realized I could just buy chenille Swiffer covers, and it would be basically the same thing as the Chomp mop lol. They work so well! I use these wet and dry. You can dust or wash. Corners take a little more effort but it still works." —wild animals

The chopsticks are made from durable, heat-resistant fiberglass that won't crack, bend, or develop splinters over time. Their seamless design also makes them easy to clean and helps prevent lingering odors or stains.

Promising review: "I was looking for chopsticks that would be easier to use and these fit the bill. They have grooves on them that seem to grip the food better, and because they're plastic, they're much easier to clean and keep sanitary than the wooden variety. Plus, no splinters! The colors were perfect as they matched my dishes." —ARC

Get five pairs from Amazon for $6.99 (available in 17 sets). 

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: Our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Note: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.