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There are about a million different reusable items that can help someone on a journey towards zero waste.

It’s hard to know where to start or what to do — I know I felt pretty overwhelmed at first. To help you get started, here are five things I use every day.

1. Canning jars

I use these suckers for everything. Toss them in the freezer full of soup, toss them in the pantry full of rice, use them as drinking glasses, as vases, whatever. And, obviously, you can water-bath or pressure can with them!

You can even use them to store leftover paint — a guy I know that works as a handyman recommended this one. He said that the rubber ring provides a tighter seal than just leaving it in the paint can, so it’ll last longer stored that way.

Note: an old glass jar that stored pickles or jam or whatever can also perform a lot of these functions. Reusing an old jar is the truly zero waste option, but if you’re actually canning, you need to use canning jars with new lids so you don’t give yourself botulism.

2. Handkerchiefs

I get sick a lot, and I’m basically allergic to everything, so I have a near-constant case of the sniffles. My switching to handkerchiefs has singlehandedly saved at least a couple of trees from becoming disposable tissues.

Plus, you know how when you’re super sick and you have to blow your nose a lot, it gets rubbed raw? Doesn’t happen with handkerchiefs. To counter germs, if I’ve been sick I douse the hankies in hydrogen peroxide before I throw them in the wash.

3. Stainless steel to-go containers

This one was REALLY useful when I was in college and still stuck on a school meal plan. If I didn’t finish something (or if they had something I wanted to eat for breakfast the next day!) I’d bust out my trusty container and load up.

This had the double effect of 1) saving food I already paid for, therefore saving me money, and 2) making sure the food in question didn’t become food waste.

Bonus side effect: for some reason this makes people think you’re super organized. I don’t know why, but when I ate with friends and did this it totally blew their minds. Like, “Wow, Jay, that’s so smart! You’re so organized and good at planning!” Y’all, it’s just a box… but hey, if it makes them interested in zero waste, I’ll take it!

Note: I say stainless steel instead of glass because if it’s something I handle regularly I will drop it. Since I like dents better than glass shards, stainless is my favorite. If you’re not clumsy, glass will work just as well!

4. Barmop towels

These are a super-easy zero waste switch for anyone that uses paper towels (which I think is probably everyone).

I first started using these for cleaning when I worked at a coffee shop. We got a big bag of them every Wednesday and it was so exciting when we got the resupply. The delivery guy joked that he felt like a celebrity when he came because we were always so hyped. (When the whole shop is down to the very last towel, getting more is a big deal.)

They worked so well that I started using them at home, too — they’re versatile, designed to take a beating, and cheap! You can get them on Amazon, but they sell them at industry suppliers like the Webstaurant Store too, which is good if you’re buying a bunch at a time. (Sidenote: Webstaurant is where it’s at. You don’t have to be a business to buy from them and they have a lot of good, industrial-strength stuff at decent prices.)

5. Reusable sandwich bags

I like these because they’re a no-brainer zero waste switch. If you’re used to using disposable sandwich bags, these are the same size and they close the same way. Instead of throwing them in the garbage when you’re done, you throw them in the dishwasher instead! They’ve got a really tight seal and have held up well so far.

They’re also a good entry point for people who aren’t so sure about this “eco-friendly” thing — I gave my father some as a present, since he often would reuse disposable baggies a few times anyway, and he took to them like a duck to water!

What are your favorite zero waste items?