For shoppers trying to cut waste while also stretching their budgets, one creator has a simple pitch. Jasmine Martinez of the Small and Fragile Club (@smallandfragileclub) TikTok account is telling viewers to stop rebuying the same disposable products over and over.
Here's what to know
In a frugal-living video, the creator shared a lineup of reusable swaps that have replaced paper towels, pads, sandwich bags, and even toilet paper in their home.
@smallandfragileclub Sustainable swaps pt.2 #frugalliving #sustainableliving #underconsumption #ethicalconsumption ♬ original sound - Small and Fragile Club
Some of the alternatives Jasmine highlighted included period underwear instead of disposable pads, reusable under-eye patches that can be washed and air-dried, and washable sandwich bags for lunches, snacks, and fruit. The creator also said paper towels were one of the easiest items to eliminate, pointing to a Costco pack of 52 reusable towels priced at $19.99.
Jasmine said viewers had asked most about the cotton shower curtain, which they put at about $19 or $20 at Walmart. The creator also said they'd stopped buying toilet paper.
"I haven't bought toilet paper in 7, 8 years. I've lost track at this point," the creator said, before noting that they use a bidet and reusable cloths instead.
The video fits into the broader underconsumption trend online, where creators focus less on buying "better" disposable items and more on avoiding repeat purchases altogether.
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More background
Paper towels, pads, sandwich bags, and toilet paper may not seem especially expensive on a single shopping trip, but over time, they can quietly add up and put steady pressure on a household budget. With the savings, Martinez had fun and bought a plushie seagull with a French fry in its mouth.
Reusable alternatives often cost more upfront, but they can pay off if they last and replace products that would otherwise be thrown away after one use. That is especially true for items such as cloth kitchen towels, leakproof food-storage bags, and bidets, which are all designed for repeated use.
There is also an environmental benefit. Replacing single-use paper and plastic products with washable versions can reduce household trash and lower demand for disposable goods.
At the same time, not every swap will make sense for every household. Comfort, hygiene, laundry access, and personal preference all play a role, which is why the most practical approach is often to start with one or two categories.
Viewers expressed some trouble with some of the more challenging transitions, such as period underwear and reusable toilet paper.
What can be done?
The easiest place to begin is with a product you buy often. Kitchen towels are a common starting point because the use is familiar, the transition is simple, and the savings can begin as soon as paper towel purchases start to drop.
It can also help to compare the one-time price of a reusable item with how often the disposable version needs to be replaced. A $19.99 pack of reusable towels may seem like more money upfront, but those purchases can outlast many trips to the store.
Another useful step is to build simple habits around cleaning and storage. Washable sandwich bags, cloth towels, and reusable eye patches are only as convenient as the routine that keeps them rinsed, dried, and ready to use again. With that in mind, these swaps could save you money while helping the planet.
Where can I learn more?
For more ideas like these, here are some other simple swaps for common disposables.
• People are even repurposing old towels into reusable rags to cut paper waste.
• Some shoppers say cotton flour sack towels replaced paper towels for good at home.
• On TikTok, creators are mixing reusable sanitizing wipes with non-toxic cleaning solutions.
• Brands such as Seventh Generation are selling more sustainable toilet paper for lower-waste bathroom routines.
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