Zero-waste living: Bathroom

After kitchens, bathrooms are likely the second biggest problem area in the home when it comes to plastic waste. From zero-waste bathroom to plastic fantastic, we are all on the spectrum of living a more environmentally conscious life. And the good news is, wherever you’re at on your eco-journey, creating an environmentally sustainable bathroom is easy!

Photo by Karolina Grabowska via Canva

One thing I recommend during home consults with my clients is to add a recycling bin in bathrooms next to the rubbish bin. Sorting recycling from trash at the site helps to reduce the amount going to landfill. It can also spark behaviour change - as it did for one client in particular. She quickly realised that most of their recycling was plastic. Knowing the stats on recycling plastic, she was convinced to give the zero-waste bathroom a try. She was surprised at how simple it was, and she has never looked back!

*This post may contain affiliate links meaning that, at no cost to you, I may receive a small sum if you click through and make a purchase.

Here are our easy eco-friendly swaps for a zero-waste bathroom:

1. Swap bamboo for… almost everything!

If you’re looking for the silver bullet when it comes to eco-swaps, bamboo might just be it! Bamboo is the world’s fast-growing plant, making it highly sustainable. 

Toothbrush: Being made natural fibres, bamboo toothbrushes are biodegradable and even compostable! In comparison, your plastic toothbrush will take over 400 years to decompose! There are so many bamboo options on the market and can even be cheaper than their plastic friends. Now that we’ve swapped, we find them so much more enjoyable to use. They make great stocking stuffers and are a great way to start teaching kids about being green. 

Toilet paper: You can also swap for bamboo on the loo! Bamboo toilet paper is one of our favourite eco-swaps. It’s a far cry from the recycled toilet paper of the 1990’s! You really won’t notice the difference. In fact, it’s another swap where we prefer the eco version. We love Bambooloo. Check out their awesome new subscription service - a great sustainable product, home delivered and saves you money!

Cotton buds: The image of the seahorse carrying a plastic cotton bud has no doubt inspired millions of people to reconsider our use of this common plastic item. Try bamboo cotton swabs instead.

2. A fresh take on toothpaste

Toothpaste tubes are practically impossible to recycle! But there are now so many options that are plastic-free, you are guaranteed to find one you love. Try toothpastes or tooth powders in glass jars (we love Love Beauty Foods), or toothpaste tabs, tooth jellies (and mouthwash tabs too! like these from Lush).

3. Swap to shampoo & conditioner bars

Did you know that 80% of bottled shampoo is water?! Shampoo bars, being concentrated, last twice as long as a standard bottle of shampoo (saving 2 plastic bottles). They’re also easily transportable for travel. In our book, those stats make the swap well worth considering. There are plenty of eco-friendly options on the market. We love KIND2 because their products are plastic-free, vegan, cruelty-free and make your hair look and feel great.

4. Ditch the makeup wipes

For makeup removal, ditch the make-up wipes! Despite the common misconception, they’re not biodegradable because they’re made of plastic. In fact, they can take up to 100 years to decompose! Instead, opt for 100% cotton make up pads or, even better, go for reusable bamboo pads.  You can also make your own baby wipes with this simple method. It’s such a great swap - we are hooked!

5. Get back to basics with a soap bar

It might be the most obvious one but it’s worth mentioning that ditching body wash in plastic bottles and going back to the old school bar soap will save on so much plastic. Soap bars are also likely better for your skin without the nasty chemicals of some commercial brands. There are many gorgeous brands of soap bars out there with sustainable/minimal /no packaging. Opt for the vegan versions and palm-oil-free options, or make your own!

6. Don’t sweat your deodorant choice

Most deodorants can be packaged in plastic, even the natural ones. For some of the roll-on versions, we need to consider the effects of some ingredients on your health. Check out Nuud - one tube lasts for around 6 weeks and the tube itself is compostable too.

We’ve created this list on iHerb that includes some natural deodorant options. Use link for a 5% discount!

7. Get fussy about your floss

Dental floss is usually wax-covered nylon. It doesn't take long to decompose - "only" about 50 years!! Try silk floss in a reusable glass jar. My vote is it’s better than the plastic version by far! Vegan options made from corn are also available.

(NB: Some floss marketed as “bamboo charcoal floss” is made from polyester and bamboo powder, so it’s not biodegradable. Definitely worth reading the fine print!)

8. Zero-waste periods

Zero-waste periods might take a bit of getting your head around, but it’s worth it. Did you know that the average woman uses around 12,000 tampons or pads in her lifetime? And that the first pad ever made still hasn’t decomposed?! Frightful stats. When you think about that, even just reducing by a few could make a huge difference to the amount of plastic waste associated with periods. There are now so many innovative options popping up on the market, it’s worth trying a few and see what works for you. Try reusable period undies like THINX, a menstrual cup, or reusable bamboo pads.

While reusables might seem like an investment up front, they will work out cheaper than disposables, most likely after just a few periods!

9. Care-free skin care

To avoid plastic containers (not to mention the chemical ingredients) in your skin care routine, try natural products available in stores. We love the ready-made facial toner from Scoop. It comes in a refillable glass bottle with a reusable nozzle, and the scent is incredible. Another idea is to make your own!

Better for the planet and better for you!

There are so many eco swaps you can make in the bathroom. We’ve probably just scratched the surface! The most impactful thing we can do to reduce waste is to be mindful of the products we use and how they’re packaged. Making even a few of these changes will really help to make an impact on reducing your plastic waste. 

Opting for more natural products (without all the nasties) will not only make your skin and hair feel great, your conscience will likely feel better too!

What’s the best green swap you’ve made for a zero-waste bathroom? Share it in the comments below!

Creating a zero waste bathroom is easy with these simple tips!