1. Glass Milk Bottles
Not too long ago, the milkman was a regular visitor, and he didn’t just drop off milk—he picked up your empty glass bottles. These bottles were washed, sanitized, and reused dozens of times before being retired. It was a simple, efficient system that minimized waste without anyone thinking twice. Today, milk almost always comes in single-use plastic or waxed cardboard cartons that are tossed after one use.
The shift came with changes in distribution and consumer habits, especially as grocery stores replaced home delivery. It’s more convenient for stores to stock light, disposable containers, and for consumers to grab and go. But that convenience has come at a cost—namely, tons of plastic waste each year, Tom Heyden from the BBC explains. Many local dairies that used reusable bottles have been phased out or forced to adapt.
2. Cloth Diapers
Before disposables took over in the 1960s and ’70s, cloth diapers were just… diapers. Parents would wash, dry, and reuse them until the fabric wore thin. Diaper services even sprang up to help with the laundering, making reuse accessible and hygienic. Today, disposable diapers dominate the market and make up a significant portion of landfill waste.
Cloth diapers still exist, but they’re often seen as niche or alternative parenting choices. They require more time and commitment, which doesn’t always fit into modern schedules, Jennifer Randles and Jennifer Sherman explain in Sage Journals. But when you consider that a single baby can go through thousands of diapers before potty training, the environmental impact of disposables is staggering. Reusable diapers were simply the norm for generations, without question.
3. Razor Blades
Back in the day, razors were built to last and only the blades were replaced, according to Jessica Timmons of Healthline. Men would use safety razors with metal handles and simply swap out the double-edge blades when they dulled. The blades themselves were cheap and often came in recyclable cardboard boxes. Now, most razors are disposable plastic units, often with fixed blades meant to be tossed entirely.
The convenience and marketing of multi-blade disposable razors changed the grooming game. Companies like Gillette made billions promoting newer, more “advanced” disposable models. But that meant more plastic waste and higher long-term costs for consumers. Safety razors are making a slow comeback among eco-conscious folks, but they’ve never regained their mainstream status.
4. Coffee Filters
Paper coffee filters are everywhere today, but they weren’t always the default. Many households used reusable cloth or metal filters that were rinsed out after each brew. Percolators and French presses didn’t require filters at all, just a bit of cleaning. Now, millions of paper filters are used once and thrown out every single day.
Single-use convenience became the norm with drip coffee machines in the mid-20th century. It was faster and cleaner—just toss the filter and the grounds together. But the environmental toll adds up quickly, especially with single-use pods entering the mix, Erica Clark of PureHQ explains. Reusable filters still exist and work just as well, but most people don’t look twice at the disposable kind.
5. Handkerchiefs
Before tissues came in every purse and pocket, the handkerchief reigned supreme. People carried a cloth hankie, used it throughout the day, and simply washed it with their regular laundry. It was considered polite and hygienic, and even a bit stylish depending on how it was folded. Today, most people wouldn’t dream of reusing something they blew their nose into.
Tissues became popular during the 20th century thanks to aggressive marketing by companies like Kleenex. They were pitched as more sanitary, especially during cold and flu season. But they created a whole new stream of waste for something that used to be reusable. Handkerchiefs are still around, but they’re a rarity in modern routines, Mark Patrick Taylor and Hester Joyce of The Conversation explain.
6. Shopping Bags
Plastic grocery bags weren’t common until the late 1970s. Before that, people brought their own baskets, cloth sacks, or reused paper bags until they fell apart. It wasn’t just eco-consciousness—it was practicality and thrift. Now, plastic bags are used once and thrown away, often ending up in waterways and landfills.
Reusable bags have made a bit of a comeback, but they still haven’t completely replaced single-use plastic in most places. Some cities and states have passed bans, but resistance remains. The irony is that using your own bag is nothing new—it’s a return to old habits. Back then, reusing wasn’t trendy; it was just what you did.
7. Food Storage Containers
Before Tupperware flooded kitchens, people reused glass jars, tins, and ceramic bowls for food storage. Jelly jars became juice glasses, and butter tubs held leftovers. These containers were durable, multi-purpose, and saved money. Now, most takeout containers and food packaging are thrown out without a second thought.
Single-use plastic has largely replaced these old methods, especially with fast food and convenience culture. Even Tupperware itself has shifted toward more disposable-style products. But the glass jar is having a quiet revival, especially among zero-waste advocates. Our grandparents reused containers by default, not because it was “green,” but because it just made sense.
8. Soda Bottles
Glass soda bottles used to come with a deposit—you’d pay a few extra cents and get it back when you returned the bottle. Soda companies cleaned and refilled them many times over. It was a closed-loop system that worked well and kept bottles in circulation. Today, plastic and aluminum have largely replaced refillable glass.
The shift happened for cost and convenience. Disposables were cheaper to produce and lighter to transport, especially as bottling became decentralized. But the environmental impact of single-use bottles is significant, with billions tossed every year. Some countries still use deposit systems successfully, showing it can work when prioritized.
9. Towels and Rags
In the past, worn-out clothes didn’t go straight to the trash—they became cleaning rags or shop towels. Households had a drawer full of old tees and dishcloths used for spills, dusting, and chores. Paper towels weren’t an everyday item until the mid-20th century. Now, many people rely on them entirely for cleaning tasks.
Paper towels are undeniably convenient, but they create a lot of waste. Many are not recyclable due to contamination and material types. Reusable rags can be just as effective, and you don’t need to buy anything new to start using them. The disposable mindset crept in slowly, but it’s now deeply entrenched in how we clean.
10. Pens
Refillable fountain pens used to be a common sight in schools, offices, and homes. You’d buy ink cartridges or fill them manually, and use the same pen for years. They were designed to last, and writing was seen as an art form. Today, most pens are cheap, plastic, and discarded the moment they run out.
The rise of the ballpoint pen in the mid-20th century changed everything. It was marketed as cleaner, cheaper, and hassle-free. But that convenience created another waste stream that barely existed before. Refillable pens still exist, but they’ve become more of a novelty than a norm.
11. Plates and Cutlery
Disposable plates and plastic utensils are now a staple of parties, takeout, and busy families. But just a few decades ago, even casual gatherings used real dishes. People would wash and reuse their everyday plates, even if it meant a little more cleanup. It was simply how things were done.
The rise of fast food, delivery culture, and large-scale convenience catering changed that. Single-use items were seen as time-saving, but they come at a massive environmental cost. Plastic cutlery in particular is hard to recycle and often ends up as litter. Using reusable dishes isn’t difficult—it’s just no longer the default.
12. Water Bottles
There was a time when carrying water around meant filling up a canteen or thermos. Bottled water wasn’t widely sold until the 1980s, and even then, it was seen as a luxury. Now, plastic water bottles are everywhere and often used once before being tossed. It’s one of the most visible examples of our shift toward disposability.
The bottled water industry capitalized on health and convenience trends, growing rapidly in the last few decades. But most of these bottles aren’t recycled, despite being technically recyclable. Refillable bottles are a simple solution, but they require a change in mindset. Once again, what was normal before is now considered a lifestyle choice.
13. Greeting Cards
In the past, people often saved and repurposed greeting cards—cutting out the images, making crafts, or even sending them again with new messages. Cards were more personal and often handmade or carefully chosen. Now, most are bought quickly and discarded shortly after being read. It’s a sentimental gesture that’s become surprisingly wasteful.
Mass production and commercialization of holidays turned greeting cards into disposable tokens. There’s still emotional value in receiving one, but the practice creates a lot of paper waste. Digital cards and messages are more common now, but don’t always carry the same impact. Reusing or creatively repurposing cards was once the norm—and far more sustainable.
