Plastic-Free Bathroom: 13 Simple Swaps You Should Embrace Now
We all know that plastic pollution is a massive environmental problem and that we should reduce our plastic waste. However, it can be overwhelming to know exactly where to begin.
One of the most effortless places to start is in the bathroom. You can significantly reduce your plastic waste with just a few easy substitutions.
Here are 13 simple swaps we have made for a plastic-free bathroom that you can easily make. Our personal care choices do not have to cost the earth or the wildlife inhabiting it.
1. Clean Your Teeth with a Bamboo Toothbrush
Estimates indicate that 2 billion plastic toothbrushes end up in our oceans or landfills every year. You could reduce that number by swapping your plastic toothbrush to a bamboo toothbrush.
Unfortunately, most bamboo toothbrushes have non-biodegradable nylon bristles; however, you can compost the handle. There are also some plant-based bristles now on the market.
Since dentists recommend changing your toothbrush every three months, you can save a significant amount of plastic by making this change.
2. Buy Paper-Wrapped Toilet Paper for a Plastic-Free Bathroom
Buying paper-wrapped toilet paper rather than plastic-wrapped toilet paper is another step towards creating a plastic-free bathroom.
It is also essential to ensure that your toilet paper and wrapping is either:
sourced from an FSC-certified responsibly managed forest or
produced from post-consumer recycled paper (the higher the percentage, the better) or
made of sustainable bamboo.
3. Switch to Shampoo Bars and Conditioners
Switching to a shampoo and conditioner bar is an easy way to reduce plastic waste. Using a shampoo and conditioner bar can prevent up to 8 plastic bottles from being made.
It may take a while to get used to these bars, but you will find a brand you like after some trial and error. In addition to reducing your plastic use, you will also help save water used in manufacturing.
Other alternatives to using solid shampoo and conditioner bars are:
refilling your existing bottles at a bulk store
buying concentrates and mixing your own
making shampoo or conditioner from scratch.
4. Change your Roll-on Deodorant to a Solid Bar or Paste
Another simple swap for a plastic-free bathroom is to change your roll-on or spray deodorant for a natural solid bar, tube or paste.
Pick solid deodorant bars in biodegradable, home-compostable packaging or deodorant pastes in recyclable tins.
Another benefit is that natural deodorants don’t contain potentially harmful ingredients like aluminium, parabens, and phthalates. However, watch out for sodium bicarbonate, which can cause skin irritations in some people.
5. Ditch Your Bottled Shower Gel for a Bar of Soap
Why use shower gel or body wash in a plastic bottle when you can simply use soap? Not only is it better for the environment, but it is also cheaper.
Choose products without palm oil when possible, or opt for certified sustainable palm oil. You should also ensure the packaging for your soap is biodegradable and home-compostable.
Soap-free body wash bars and creams are available if soap is too harsh for your skin. As previously noted, you can also refill your existing bottles, buy concentrates or make your own.
6. Apply Natural Sunscreen from a Tin
Traditional sunscreens contain chemicals such as oxybenzone and octinoxate. These chemicals wash off our skin in the sea and other waterways. They are harmful to coral reefs and sea life.
Natural sunscreens may have fewer chemicals but are often less effective than chemical sunscreens. Also, natural sunscreens, like traditional sunscreens, frequently come in plastic bottles.
Look for a reef-safe sunscreen in a recyclable aluminium tin, and make sure that it is broad-spectrum and has been certified as SPF50+.
7. Purchase Reusable Cloth Panty Liners or Sanitary Pads for your Plastic-Free Bathroom
Did you know one conventional sanitary pad can take 500 years to break down? Tampons may also contain non-biodegradable plastic in the applicator, string, body or wrapper.
Unfortunately, due to health regulations, most tampons (even organic ones) have a plastic wrapper. However, switching to reusable cloth sanitary pads or liners can reduce your plastic use.
Other more environmentally friendly period options include reusable menstrual cups and period underwear.
8. Use Solid Face Wash or Face Scrub Bars
A solid face wash or face scrub bar is another simple way to create a plastic-free bathroom.
These bars also come in biodegradable, home-compostable packaging.
They are convenient for travelling as they are lightweight and take up very little space in your toiletries bag.
9. Moisturise with a Solid Zero-Waste Bar for a Plastic-Free Bathroom
You can buy moisturiser (and serum) in a solid bar with home-compostable packaging like face wash or face scrub bars.
They can take some time to get used to and may seem expensive, but they will last longer than your usual moisturiser.
An alternative would be to purchase a moisturiser in a glass jar with a recyclable aluminium lid that can be reused or recycled.
10. Rinse your Mouth with Mouthwash Tablets
Instead of buying mouthwash in a plastic bottle, use mouthwash tablets. These tablets come in a glass jar with an aluminium lid.
Again, the tablets may seem expensive; however, the brand we buy contains the equivalent of 180 measures of standard mouthwash. You just need to add water at home.
Switching to mouthwash tablets can prevent seven 500ml plastic bottles from being made. You will also significantly reduce your carbon footprint as they are far easier to transport.
11. Swap Single-Use Plastic Cotton Buds for Bamboo Ones
Estimates indicate that we produce 1.5 billion single-use plastic cotton buds every day. Many end up in our oceans and litter beaches worldwide.
Banned in the UK and several states in Australia, single-use plastic cotton buds should be prohibited everywhere. Plastic cotton buds make it onto the WWF’s “10 worst single-use plastics list”.
Bamboo cotton buds are a sustainable alternative as they are home-compostable and 100% biodegradable. Once you have used them, you can throw them straight into your compost bin.
12. Exchange your Plastic Shower Puff for a Konjac Sponge
Plastic shower puffs are great for lathering soap but are a breeding ground for bacteria. Therefore, you need to replace plastic puffs regularly, which is unhealthy for the environment.
Konjac sponges, made from the fibrous root of the Konjac plant, are 100% natural and are an excellent swap for plastic shower puffs. Sponges are stiff when dry but soften when soaked in water.
Although Konjac sponges can still harbour bacteria if not looked after properly, they are biodegradable. Once you have finished using it, you can compost the sponge with your food scraps.
13. Complete your Plastic-Free Bathroom with Cloth Wipes
Wet wipes have become very popular. There are baby wipes, make-up removers and even toilet wipes. Unfortunately, many of these wipes typically contain plastic and are not biodegradable.
Wet wipes are either sent to landfills or flushed down the toilet. They do not break down when they reach our sewers or oceans, which is a problem for sea creatures, who often eat them.
You can purchase biodegradable, and preferably compostable, wipes. However, a far better option is to avoid using them. Washable facecloths and baby wipes are now readily available. Alternatively, you can make your own.
Which Simple Swaps Will You Make for a Plastic-Free Bathroom?
Most items we purchase will never be entirely “zero-waste”. However, we can send a strong message to manufacturers by buying plastic-free products with biodegradable and compostable packaging.
By making some simple swaps, you can create a plastic-free bathroom. Of course, you shouldn't ditch all your current products and buy everything new. However, you can replace items with a more sustainable version as they run out.
We can always do more, but the simpler we keep it, the more likely we will make the switch for good. So, which simple swap will you make next time your “usual” product runs out?
