We tracked our trash for one week to see how much single-use plastic we really use. The results surprised us — and pushed us to rethink some daily habits. Saving the earth a little at a time is easier than you think with simple changes — here’s what we swapped to cut down on plastic waste.

A week-long personal trash audit highlighted the significant amount of single-use plastic generated in daily life, leading to a reassessment of consumption habits. By making simple swaps—such as using reusable produce bags, making coffee at home, switching to solid shampoo, and adopting refillable cleaning products—the individual was able to meaningfully reduce plastic waste.

The process revealed that small, manageable changes can have a substantial impact on environmental footprint. Products like reusable dishcloths and refillable cleaners were especially effective, and the experience demonstrated that sustainability can be achieved through gradual, practical adjustments rather than drastic overhauls.

Easy swaps for a more sustainable lifestyle

For seven days, I saved every piece of waste I generated for a trash audit, and I was horrified by my results. I had a giant trash corner in my apartment. Here are some of the swaps I made to reduce my environmental impact. Things like produce bags, lids, and takeout containers made up a bulk of my plastic usage. I began bringing Grove's organic mesh cotton bags to the grocery store instead of using the store's single-use plastic bags. It actually surprised me by how much I relied on this small product for bagging fruits and vegetables. I also used Grove's Mesh Farmer's Market tote bag when shopping. I particularly loved this one. It's made from organic cotton, and it has a convenient little pocket for keys or cards. Coffee has always been my vice, and I didn't realize how much my little treats were adding up. So, for this plastic-free challenge, I decided to start making my coffee at home. And I fell in love with the OXO Rapid Brewer, which makes a mean cold brew. This spared me from buying a daily cold brew, and also saved me money, too. And then I also had my Stanley to carry around my cold brew every day. Finding plastic-free alternatives for beauty, grooming, and all of my skin and hair care needs was, by far, the most challenging part of my sustainability journey. The most profound change I made, however, was switching to Kitch Solid Shampoo. Skeptical, considering my specific hair care needs, but the castor oil in this was really great. And this, you just use like you would lather up your hair and wash it normally. It was a small but impactful swap, eliminating the need for a plastic bottle and reducing my waste. A concentrate was also a new concept for me. Essentially, this product is packed with a higher percentage of formula, so you use less product in the long run. It's packaged in recyclable aluminum tubes. I'm the first to admit that I am extremely wasteful when it comes to excessive paper towel usage and Lysol. I opted for more eco-friendly alternatives, like the Harps & Suds Swedish Dishcloths, which are reusable, biodegradable, and surprisingly durable. And they're only $2 a pop. These were one of the most impactful products in my plastic-free journey. I never used them before, but they really do make a difference. Also, in my plastic-free journey, I switched to refillable cleaning supplies. These are from Blueland. They come with little tablets that you dissolve in water. This one is the multi-surface cleaner from Blueland, but you can get a glass and mirror cleaner and other different kinds of cleaners. And if you're sensitive to smells, they also have unscented ones. I've reduced my need to buy Lysol wipes again and again and again. I appreciate that they're color-coded for things like glass and mirror, multi-surface, and bathroom cleaners. Making these small changes turned out to be easier than I thought. There are so many ways to shop that can help reduce your environmental impact, like repurposing old jam jars or worn-out clothes. Sustainability doesn't have to be daunting. It can start with just a few simple swaps. Microsoft Mechanics www.microsoft.com

Russia's Vladimir Putin has rejected President Trump's ultimatum for Moscow to sign a ceasefire deal with Ukraine in the next 50 days. Trump has threatened to issue a 100% tariff on any country that does business with Russia if no ceasefire deal is reached.

Moscow

Ukraine Invasion

Russia rejects Trump's ultimatum for ceasefire in Ukraine

Fighting has erupted in the southern Syrian city of As Suwayda just six hours after a ceasefire was announced. Earlier on Tuesday, Syrian government forces withdrew heavy vehicles from the city, hoping to ease tensions.

As Suwayda

Fighting erupts in Syria’s As Suwayda hours after ceasefire deal

Two laptops and hard drives containing watermarked and unreleased music by Beyoncé were stolen from her choreographer’s rental car in Atlanta, according to police.

Atlanta

Unreleased Beyoncé music stolen from choreographer’s rental car

The House Committee on Education and Workforce is holding its ninth hearing in 18 months on antisemitism on college campuses. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more details.

Washington

Anger at House committee hearing on antisemitism in college campuses

An Air India Boeing airplane crashed in northwestern India in June, killing all people on board but one passenger. India's aviation regulator has now ordered airlines to examine fuel control switches on several Boeing models.

New Delhi

India orders airlines to inspect Boeing airplane models after crash

Controversy on Capitol Hill over the so-called Epstein Files is seemingly not going away anytime soon.

House Republicans block Democratic push to release Epstein documents

An Israeli scheme to move hundreds of thousands of already uprooted Palestinians to a so-called "humanitarian city" in Gaza has led politicians to spar with the defense establishment. Critics inside and outside Israel have denounced the proposal.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Critics slam Israeli scheme to move Gazans to 'humanitarian city'

At least two people were killed in a New Jersey flash flooding event, Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday morning as heavy rains are expected to continue battering the Northeast. CBS News' Rob Marciano has more details.

New Jersey

Two killed in New Jersey flash flooding

After over a week of negotiations in Doha, a truce in Gaza remains elusive, despite intensified efforts by mediators. The stalemate continues as both Hamas and Israel trade blame over ongoing strikes.

Doha

Gaza truce still out of reach after Doha talks

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for President Donald Trump's administration to resume dismantling the Department of Education, part of his bid to shrink the federal government's role in education in favor of more control by the states.

U.S. Supreme Court clears way for Trump to gut Education Department

Syria's government troops entered the Sweida region following deadly clashes on Tuesday, while Israel carried out strikes against them, saying it was acting to protect the Druze minority.

Syrian forces enter Sweida city following deadly clashes

Heavy rains slammed the Northeast and caused flash floods in the New York City subway system. CBS News' Rob Marciano has the latest.

New York

Flash flooding pummels NYC and slams subway lines

US President Donald Trump told Russia to end its war in Ukraine within 50 days or face massive new economic sanctions, as he laid out plans for infusions of weaponry for Kyiv via NATO. "We're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100 percent," Trump said.

Global Tariffs

Trump gives Moscow 50-day ultimatum over Ukraine war

A Gaza-bound boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid left Sicily, over a month after Israel detained and deported people aboard a previous vessel.

Sicily

New Gaza-bound aid boat leaves Italy

The U.S. will manufacture more weapons to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion. President Trump said European nations will be footing the bill.

U.S. to send more weapons to Ukraine

Christian leaders have accused Israeli settlers of attacking sacred sites in the West Bank. The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III - visiting the Christian town of Taybeh with other clerics - said settlers had started a fire near a cemetery and a 5th century church there last week.

Clerics accuse West Bank settlers of attacking Christian sites

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Beijing ahead of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He's there to broaden economic cooperation with China, which is Australia's top trade partner, while taking into account security concerns.

Beijing

Australia's Albanese pushes Aussie exports in China visit

In an Oval Office meeting, President Trump announced that the US will sell weapons to European nations, who will then send them to Ukraine. The president also threatened new trade consequences if no peace deal is reached with Ukraine within 50 days.

Trump gives Russia new deadline for Ukraine peace deal

Astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary and the U.S. are returning from the International Space Station following the historic Axiom Mission 4 trip. CBS News' consultant Bill Harwood joins with more details.

Cape Canaveral

Axiom Mission 4 crew returns from historic trip to I.S.S.

Hundreds of Palestinians on Sunday (July 13) mourned two men who were killed in overnight clashes by settlers in the West Bank. One of the deceased is 20-year-old Sayafollah Musallet, a U.S. citizen.

Mourners bury U.S. citizen killed in West Bank settler attack

Search efforts resumed for the more than 160 people still missing from the deadly July 4 floods in Central Texas after being halted Sunday morning due to renewed flood threats. CBS News' Karen Hua has the latest.

Kerrville

Heavy rains halt recovery efforts in central Texas

Following his recent criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump said he plans to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine. Trump, for the first time since he took office in January, is also considering authorizing new funding for Ukraine.

Trump considers new funding for Ukraine

Two women were killed and two people were injured in a church shooting in Lexington, Kentucky, after the suspect initially shot a state trooper, police said. CBS News correspondent Nicole Valdes has the latest.

Lexington

Two women killed in Kentucky church shooting

The European Union said it would extend its suspension of countermeasures to U.S. tariffs until early August and continue to press for a negotiated settlement, after U.S. President Donald Trump ratcheted up his trade war on the bloc.

Brussels

EU holds off on U.S. tariff countermeasures for now to pursue talks

One year ago, Thomas Crooks, a recent community college graduate, opened fire on then-candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A year later, there's still no answers to why Crooks did it. Scott MacFarlane reports.

Butler

Motive still a mystery a year after Trump assassination attempt

Several European leaders and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have expressed disappointment at the 30% tariffs US President Donald Trump has announced, but maintained openness to reach a negotiated solution.

Leaders of EU and Mexico slam Trump's 30% tariffs

A preliminary report depicted confusion in the cockpit shortly before an Air India jetliner crashed and killed 260 people last month, after the plane's engine fuel cutoff switches flipped almost simultaneously and starved the engines of fuel.

Ahmedabad

Air India crash report shows pilot confusion over fuel cutoff

Iran’s foreign minister says his country is ready to resume nuclear talks with the United States but will need assurances that there will be no more attacks against it. Abbas Araghchi made the comments on Saturday, during a meeting with foreign diplomats in Tehran.

Tehran

Iran willing to resume nuclear talks with U.S. if given assurances

Australia will not commit troops in advance to any conflict, Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said on Sunday (July 13), responding to a report that the Pentagon has pressed its ally to clarify what role it would play if the U.S. and China went to war over Taiwan.

Council of the City of Sydney

Australia to 'support status quo' on Taiwan amid U.S. defense push

The Pentagon is urging Japan and Australia to clarify what role they would play if the U.S. and China went to war over Taiwan, the Financial Times is reporting. According to the newspaper, the reported request caught Japan and Australia 'off-guard'.

Breakdown