11 Steps to a Plastic-Free Bathroom
New year, new habits!
The past few months have led us all to form new habits, in a bid to adjust to the so-called “new normal“. And while most of this has been uncomfortable, unenjoyable and unwanted, it has at least proved to us that we’re capable of adapting when necessary. And with oceans full of plastic and climate change a threat to literally everything, making more sustainable and environmentally sound options IS a necessity.
Start off some positive new habits in the same place you start off your day; in the bathroom. Here are 11 easy steps to green your clean!
Bamboozle your dental hygiene routine
Image from Prima Life Organics
This is probably the most common swap people have made in the past few years to eliminate plastic from their bathrooms. Bamboo toothbrushes are inexpensive and widely available, and even Colgate have dropped a compostable offering. But for other dental hygiene products, you might have to search a little wider than your local corner shop. Look for mouthwash and toothpaste alternatives online, in a health food store, or you could even try making your own. To keep your nashers cavity-free, I use an activated charcoal floss from GeoOrganics that comes in a glass container and I’d highly recommend it. It might be a little thing, but those tiny bits of plastic really add up.
2. Create your own skincare products
Embrace your inner apothecary and whip up your own skincare products. This can be as simple or as extravagant as you wish. You’ll find any number of recipes online for face masks, bath oils or even a cardamom and rosewater coffee scrub made by yours truly! Packed nicely into a pretty jar, these make great gift ideas too.
3. Don’t sweat it
Recently, I’ve been using Wild deodorant and I love it! Not only are the scents I chose really nice (Bergamot Rituals, Rose Blush and Fresh Cotton & Sea Salt), it actually works. Best of all, the packaging and product itself are completely zero-waste, and each of the refillable cartridges can be loaded into a cute metal case. V clever indeed.
4. Disposable razors just aren’t going to cut it
Image from Jute Mood
Hair removal- on all genders- is a personal choice. But should you choose to shave, how about giving something like this rose gold safety razor from The Kind Co. a whirl? You might not want to be entirely hair-free, but you will be waste-free! Disposable razors are non-biodegradable, which leads to billions of dodgy bits of sharp plastic ending up in landfill every year. Not cool.
5. Slow and steady wins the race
Image from Kate LaVie
It might be obvious to some, but to others, the idea of becoming entirely zero-waste can be so appealing, they want to start right away. But throwing your half-used plastic products in the bin in favour of organic, glass alternatives is wasteful and defeats the purpose. Use up what you have, or give it to someone who will. Then make better choices.
6. Try cotton out the disposables
Image from EcoStore
Another quick and easy personal hygiene swap is choosing natural, reusable materials in place of disposable cotton pads, makeup removing wipes and shower poufs. Washable cotton pads, natural loofahs or 100% biodegradable konjac sponges are not only eco-friendly, they’re waaay more luxe anyway.
7. Rethink your feminine hygiene products
Image from The Kind
Does anyone remember when Chrissy Teigen, goddess of Twitter, tweeted “Not to be all hippie dippy, but it’s wild that we spray cotton with pesticides to keep up with demand… then shove that cotton up our vaginas”? Welp, it’s the kind of thing that sticks with you, ain’t it?!
Thankfully, organic, body-friendly period products are becoming more readily available (with even mainstream brands like Always and Tampax launching their Pure range that uses organic cotton and is free from chlorine bleaching, dyes and fragrances). But aside from the impact menstrual products could potentially have on our bodies, they’re definitely having a huge impact on the planet. Think about it; if half the population is using disposable products for roughly half of their lives, that creates a lot of waste.
Zero-waste period products have come a long way in the last few years (amazing what advances can be made when a normal body function becomes less taboo, eh!). Period pants such as Thinx and menstrual cups are good alternatives for some, but may not be for everyone. Another option is this set of reusable menstrual pads by Tabitha Eve which are made with organic cotton, bamboo and hemp. Or, for a halfway point between disposable and sustainable, check out brands like &Sisters or Flo, which donates 5% of their profits to organisations tackling period poverty and FGM.
8. Keep a recycling bin in your bathroom
Image from House and Home
This sounds obvious, but honestly, how many of us keep two bins in our bathrooms? Not enough. And as a result, toilet roll tubes and other recyclable empties get tossed into the regular bin and get sent straight to landfill. If your bathroom is tight on space, this 2-in-1 Joseph Joseph Split bin is a great space-saver.
9. Buy in bulk
Image from Follain
You’re never going to not need certain products, so why not save on plastic and save some money by buying in bulk? Faith In Nature products can be bought in bulk 5 litre bottles , EcoLeaf handsoap in whopper 20 litre tanks and gorgeous pink grapefruit and aloe shampoo from Alter/native in 5 litre bottles. Try availing of bring-you-own-bottle refill stations if you’re unsure of which brand you’d like to commit to for all 5 litres.
10. Use household items to organise
Image from Acala
Bathroom storage doesn’t have to be plastic, and it doesn’t even mean you have to buy something new. Get creative and use teacups, trays, baskets or, or course, the humble mason jar to organise all of your bathroom essentials.
11. Give a crap about packaging
Arguably the greatest roadblock in living our best zero-waste lives is the amount of products that come in single-use plastic packaging. It’s frustrating when a product we really love or need comes in unsustainable packaging. Some changes will be impossible, or just plain undesirable.
Being more mindful of packaging, however, will likely result in you buying plastic-free at least some of the time. Recycled plastic, glass and aluminium are all good options. But think outside the box when it comes to some of your most-used products. For example, Lush shampoo bars are a long-lasting zero-waste swap you’ll enjoy making.
Or make yourself laugh while buying the basics with the brilliantly named Who Gives a Crap toilet paper. This plastic-free option claims, and I quote, to be “as soft as unicorn kisses and as strong as 1000 ponies”. Which, I don’t know about you, is basically the litmus test for my toilet paper. It’s also “good for people, good for the world, and good for your bum” as they also have an initiative in which they donate 50% of their profits to building sanitation in underprivileged communities.
Main image from British architect Ben Penreath.
