Our bathroom is one of the most sacred parts of our houses and apartments. Nevertheless, you’d be surprised at the number of harmful products that people keep in them.
It is essentially a harvester of anti Zero Waste principles. Having a Zero Waste Bathroom involves not using single-use disposable products. Something that is not the norm in a regular bathroom.
The average American will use ten cosmetic products every day, full of chemicals. So adopting a zero waste strategy towards the bathroom has plenty of benefits.
Namely, when you think about the bathroom, you want to implement bathroom swaps that are Zero Waste. Let’s take a look at some great products you should use and processes you can amend.
Just remember that just like any of our other Zero Waste articles, there is no such thing as a perfect Zero Waste bathroom.
1. Safety Razor
Razors are some of the most used products in our bathroom today. Moreover, a safety razor is an excellent choice to replace disposable razors and avoid plastic.
Usually, the blades are made from stainless steel and recyclable.
We wrote a full guide on Eco Friendly Razors here, detailing everything you need to know about stainless steel, razors, amongst other facts.
Make sure to check that out as it is a perfect product to include in Zero Waste bathroom swaps.
2. Menstrual Cup
Having a Zero Waste Period is possible. Our Co-Founder wrote a full guide about it. In this regard, it is essential to note that tampon products contain chemicals.
Which, of course, means these chemicals make their way inside women who prominently use tampons.
Therefore, make sure you take a look at the guide. And, if you were already thinking about an alternative(such as a menstrual cup), then Laura recommends you take a look at this Ecoroots product.
3. Shampoo & Conditioner
Another essential Zero Waste Bathroom product, shampoo, is a significant contributor to plastic, thanks to the way shampoo is generally packaged(namely plastic packaging).
Did you know that as of 2015(and these numbers are for sure more now), there were approximately 6300 metric tons of plastic Waste generated? Of which 79% is sitting in landfills with only around 9% being recycled (1).
By 2050, those numbers could go up to 12,000 metric tons. So we need to find a way to reduce the use of plastic.
In the case of shampoo, the solution is to switch to a Zero Waste Shampoo option. Shampoo and conditioner are big culprits of the use of plastic bottles.
In regards to conditioner, the best way to avoid contributing to more Waste is to go with a conditioner bar. There are plenty of options that are super convenient to avoid plastic.
Additionally, consider vegan-friendly hair products to complete your eco-conscious bathroom.
4. Soap Saver Bag
Any lack of plastic use when it comes to soap is, of course, significant. However, you also need to make sure you preserve your Zero Waste soaps accordingly.
Thus, no Zero Waste bathroom is complete without a soap saver bag and a Zero Waste soap.
If you are unsure how to use a soap saver bag or how to use these products, then take a look at this great guide to implement in your shower accordingly.
5. Lotion
Another one of our easy Zero Waste bathroom swaps. There are many ways to go about this, but we would suggest you try making your own lotion.
There are plenty of great DIY lotion recipes, which of course, are plastic-free since ideally, you’ll be using packaging that will not contain any plastic(such as a glass jar).
6. Toilet Paper
Perhaps one of the most sensitive products to talk about when it comes to the bathroom, Zero Waste Toilet Paper, is something you should consider.
Namely, this means finding products and alternatives to regular toilet paper to implement in your bathroom.
We wrote a full guide on zero waste toilet paper that we recommend anybody who is considering transitioning to a Zero Waste bathroom should read.
And, don’t be alarmed, we aren’t asking you to eliminate your use of toilet paper completely, but consider implementing great products such as bidets, which are of great use to clean your private parts and a great alternative.
7. Bamboo Toothbrush
Plastic toothbrushes are beyond ordinary in the bathroom. And, let’s face it, everybody has used one. Even though it is one of the easiest, zero waste bathroom swaps, anybody can make.
You can brush your teeth and still have proper dental care. So instead of plastic toothbrushes, use a bamboo toothbrush.
If you are looking for great options free of plastic, then take a look at this product by EcoRoots and this one by WellEarthGoods.
Both are natural, sustainable items that are much better than your plastic toothbrush, and both avoid plastic packaging as a company.
WellEarthGoods offers a subscription with a discount option, and also has versions of the zero waste toothbrush for children, whereas Ecoroots sends them in packs of 4.
You cannot go wrong either way, but as you can see on the Ecoroots product description, over one billion toothbrushes are thrown away every year in the United States, creating a massive amount of waste.
If you are interested in a detailed review of our favorite eco friendly toothpaste options, explore this topic here.
8. Deodorant
No Zero Waste Bathroom is complete without a great deodorant. The critical aspect to consider here is that more likely than not, whatever deodorant you are currently using is blocking your sweat glands.
Which is, of course, not healthy. We wrote a full Zero Waste deodorant guide here. Rest assured, we also cover vegan options.
Make sure to check it out, in addition, to going through a detox phase properly, and learn what products you should be using.
Or if you already know enough, and are looking for a Zero Waste deodorant, then take a look at this one.
9. Dental Floss
Did you know that dental floss is made from waxed nylon? And, of course, it comes wrapped in a plastic tube.
Additionally, it may not take thousands of years to decompose, but it will still require a minimum of 50 years. Thankfully, there are actually plenty of zero waste alternatives for dental floss that won’t last decades to decompose.
Our favorite is this kit by EcoRoots that includes a vegan option for dental floss. In addition, you should take a look at our vegan floss guide as well, where we talk about a lot more options.
10. Toothpaste
Yes, Zero Waste toothpaste is a viable zero waste swap. Namely, most people know it as Zero Waste toothpowder.
And, there are plenty of good options such as the one on the kit we mentioned earlier by EcoRoots.
If you are wondering why you want to replace your toothpaste as well, simply remember that most toothpaste that you buy at stores is full of toxic ingredients.
Moreover, there are also plenty of DIY recipes you can try that are Zero Waste.
11. Loofah
Natural Loofahs have a world of uses. From the kitchen to the bathroom. When you use a plastic loofah to wash, you have synthetic fibers that go down your bath, and end up straight in our oceans.
Whether for exfoliation or just to wash, you should be using a natural loofah that will help minimize the amount of Waste you are producing. Here is our favorite one for a Zero Waste bath.
Generally speaking, if you are looking for ways to reduce your daily use of hard-to-recycle items, consider DYI tricks, second-hand goods, and opt for renewable materials whenever possible.
12. Q-Tips
Q-tips tend to be made with unsustainable cotton. Namely, cotton swabs that are bad for the environment. People also use Q-tips in the wrong way, time after time pushing earwax deeper into their ears.
You can find plenty of information where clinical guidelines are updated to show that q-tips are not ideal for removing earwax(2).
Namely, when it comes to cleaning your ears, avoid using Q-tips. Additionally, think of the benefits of not using them, there are significant brands producing over 25 billion q-tips a year.
They end up in our oceans and landfills, and while we will not post it here, there is quite a sad picture of a seahorse holding a disposable q-tip on Instagram. Which is quite unfortunate and should give you plenty of reason in itself to avoid using them.
However, if you are looking for an eco-friendlier alternative, opt for reusable, washable Q tips.
13. Cleaning Your Bathroom
Zero Waste Cleaning is a process. We’ve talked about in length in this post. There are plenty of ways to make sure you are using the right materials to clean your bathroom.
Additionally, if you want to save your money, you can make some of the cleaning products yourself, such as a DIY vinegar recipe for cleaning.
In essence, for your bathroom(and toilet specifically), you want to make sure you have a biodegradable toilet brush. We personally like this one.
Final Thoughts
Having a Zero Waste Bathroom is quite easy. Nevertheless, it is perfectly fine to start slowly and add changes as you go.
You will find that removing plastic from your bathroom is not only doable but also quite beneficial to the environment and your body.
It is an excellent way to start your Zero Waste journey. It is undeniable that most bathrooms are anything but zero Waste. So it is a great place to start.
If you are looking for more information on zero waste sunscreens (another of our favorite bathroom-related products!), find our suggestions here. As usual on Puratium, remember that we want to inspire you to live simply, with only what you need.
Thus, feel free to reach out to us should you think this list could be improved.
Resources:
1. https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/7/e1700782
2. https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/03/health/earwax-cleaning-guidelines/index.html
CO-Founder @ Puratium. Lover of Belgian Beer 🍺, and debating endlessly over 🏀. That being said, actively doing my part for the 🌍.
