The bathroom can be a big source of waste. It is typically home to a multitude of plastic and disposable products. When your personal care products run out, evaluate what you actually use and need and switch over to sustainable options as needed. Use up what you already have, or donate unopened personal care products to local shelters or charities.
Here are 10 simple swaps you can make in your bathroom to start reducing waste today! Be sure to check out the shop for our featured products that can help with your zero waste bathroom needs.
1.Soap:
Does a simpler swap exist? Change out your body wash for something a bit more natural… like a bar of soap! You may also want to make or invest in a "soap saver” bag to find a use for those little bits leftover at the end of each bar. If you prefer your liquid handsoap, then try your local refill store so you can keep filing the same container and save tonnes of plastic.
2. Bamboo toothbrush:
Every year over a billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away worldwide, ending up in landfill, in the sea or washed up on a beach. Using a bamboo toothbrush with a biodegradable handle is a small change but together we can make a big difference. Toothbrushes are not recyclable and their packaging may not be in your area either. With how frequently we switch them out, a sustainable option is necessary and it’s one of the easiest swaps. We stock Truthbrush in both adult and child sizes, our daughter loves brushing with her tiny Truthbrush. We also have FETE brushes in a smorgasbord of colours!
3. Toothpaste:
Toothpaste tablets or pastes sold in glass jars are great alternatives to the unrecyclable plastic tubes that toothpaste usually comes in. Truthtabs foam and clean just like toothpaste, you simply pop one into your mouth, bite and brush.
4. Cloth Face pads
Instead of using make up wipes and throwaway cotton wool face pads everyday for your cleanser, toner, make-up remover etc., why not swap to reusable cotton face pads. You simply use as you would a cotton wool pad but instead of going in the bin, you pop it in the washing machine instead and then use again. They come in a variety of patterns and coloured prints and are so soft and gentle on the skin. Be sure to look for GOTS certified cotton.
We have this amazing Pride inspired Special Edition set from Tabitha Eve, who give money from every sale to a charity supporting the LGBTQ+ community!
5. Bamboo Cotton Buds
If you are a plastic cotton bud user then why not switch to bamboo? The ecoLiving ones in our shop are 100% biodegradable. Plastic cotton buds are often found on the beach, in our oceans and always found in plastic containers in the shops. These cotton buds have a bamboo stick and come in a recycled paper box. Bamboo is a sustainable product, it needs no pesticides or fertiliser to grow. It’s a super fast growing grass that is more efficient at taking CO2 from the air and producing more O2 than trees. In addition plastic-free bamboo cotton buds can be disposed of by simply throwing them into your organic waste or compost.
6. Natural & Plastic-free Deodorant
You can swap out your ozone destroying aerosols, or your landfill destined roll ons for unpackaged solid deodorant bars or pastes available in more eco-friendly aluminium tins. The added benefit of this swap is the more sustainable alternatives are usually much more natural, meaning its a win-win as you’re putting less chemicals on to your skin. Natural deodorants work differently than their counterparts, so prepare for an adjustment period while your body adapts.
7. Safety razor:
Unfortunately as the metal blades are embedded in plastic, billions of plastic razors and cartridges are thrown away every year. Switching to safety razors are a great way for plastic-free shaving. Safety razors use one single blade made from stainless steel, which is easily recyclable. You’ll likely also find that you’re able to achieve a closer, smoother shave without the razor burn and irritation that modern razors can cause.
If you’re a regular shaver, then this switch will save you money! Disposable razors and blades can be incredibly pricey, while new and vintage safety razors are standardised and have used the same style of blades for years. You can get replacement blades which are high quality and inexpensive. With proper care, the blades can last a good while, while the handle should last a lifetime. You can also eliminate cans of shaving cream with a bar of shave soap and a brush.
8. Toilet Paper
Just like paper towels and napkins, toilet paper requires a ton of resources to be used for a few moments before being thrown away. It is also usually shrink-wrapped in non-recyclable plastic. Instead look for 100% recycled content or an alternative fibre like bamboo, or hemp. These rolls often come wrapped in paper as well.
You may even want to move on to family cloth like we have. Cloth wipes pair nicely with a bidet attachment on your toilet to eliminate the need for toilet paper altogether. It may not be for everyone but when you’ve got small children squeamish goes out the window, plus when you already use cloth nappies and wipes for them you can easily make up a regular full wash load and it’s not really any different to washing soiled baby clothes in your machine.
9. Menstrual Products
A menstruating person will go through thousands of single-use products in their lifetime. Each requires resources to produce and can be very expensive if you add it all up. Invest instead long-lasting reusables to suit your needs, comfort, and budget. There are several options, including menstrual cups, washable pads and panty liners, period underwear, or any combination of the three.
10. Shampoo & Conditioner bars
Did you know shampoo and conditioner come in bar form too. This was one if the first eco swaps we made when we started out. Conventional products come in plastic bottles or soft tubes that are difficult to recycle, not mention that new bottles must be purchased time and again. If you have more than one bottle on the go, you may also have yourself some unnecessary shower clutter. They are so easy to use! Lather in your hands, massage it throughout your hair and rinse.
These changes may take some time to work into your routine, but soon they will just part of your daily life
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