Twenty Ways to Create a Sustainable Zero Waste Bathroom

If you want to go zero waste, transitioning to a zero waste bathroom could be a good place to start. The bathroom is a significant source of waste in the home because of products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, shampoo, conditioner, and cleaning supplies that need to be replaced regularly. Many of them are packaged in non-recyclable plastic containers that end up in landfills or the environment, even when they are recyclable. This all adds up to lots of landfill waste over time.

While it may seem difficult, changing our spending and consumption habits can help lessen our trash output. Purchasing zero waste products will also prevent many harmful chemicals from entering your home. Remember that going zero waste also means eliminating exposure to chemicals that may be detrimental to you, the workers who are exposed to them, and the environment. This includes hygiene products, cosmetics, loofahs, lotions, soaps, and cleaning supplies. Everything must be as clean and simple as possible. Zero waste products will even save you money!

Here are twenty ways you can make your bathroom more eco-friendly.

1. To get started, you should declutter your bathroom. Take an inventory of what you own and note what you truly require. Keep anything that can still be used. Finish them up first and then dispose of them as best you can.
2. Use gentle cleaners to clean your bathroom. You can use natural cleaners to clean almost anything. Make a great all-purpose cleaner with lemon, vinegar, and baking soda! Super easy and effective too.
3. No time for a DIY cleaner? Try the fabulous plastic-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and septic-safe Gentle Home Cleaning Scrub from Meliora. It is even certified Made-Safe!
4. Swap out your old grimy plastic toilet brush for a beautiful plastic-free toilet brush and stand. Plastic cleaning brushes can shed microplastics from their bristles. Yuck! The all-natural, plastic-free toilet brush and stand are a much more earth-friendly option!
5. Ready for a plastic-free shower routine? A cotton sponge is a beautiful and ecological alternative to synthetic loofahs. Crafted in France from 100% cotton, this versatile sponge is perfect for cleansing and exfoliating your body and face.
6. Switch out your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo toothbrush. The entire Brush with Bamboo Adult toothbrush is plant-based. Even the bristles are certified biobased and derived from non-fossil fuel sources. The handle is even backyard compostable.
7. Toothpaste tubes have a plastic problem. Have you tried toothpaste tablets? These chewable little circular pieces resemble breath mints. They're made entirely of natural ingredients that clean your teeth and remove plaque. They also contain essential oils that help freshen your breath. We are in love with Huppy Toothpaste Tablets and recommend trying them out. Or if you want something with fluoride, try Georganics Mineral Toothpaste for an eco-friendly way to keep your teeth healthy and clean! It comes packaged in a recyclable glass jar with a recyclable aluminum lid.
8. Mouthwash tablets look like toothpaste tablets but are dissolved in water to create an easy-to-use mouthwash formula. We recommend the super refreshing Huppy Mouthwash Tablets. Or try Georganics Mouthwash Tablets to help you maintain optimal oral health and keep your breath fresh. And Georganics has numerous sustainability certifications, which we love!
9. Replace synthetic dental floss with natural silk dental floss. Unlike its plastic equivalent, this floss is made with pure silk thread and candelilla wax. It is even backyard compostable! One package comes with two floss spools and keeps 66 yards or 60 meters of plastic floss out of landfills and the environment. Additionally, refill packs are available at a lesser cost when you run out. Can you imagine the impact of everyone switching to this compostable floss?
10. Instead of using disposable razors, try a reusable metal razor. It does cost money upfront with your initial purchase, but ultimately it saves you money. All that's required is a routine razor blade replacement. And you will see a return on your investment quickly, saving on overpriced disposable blades. The stainless steel blades can be recycled when finished, and the razor can last a lifetime.
11. Try a Shave Soap Bar for a luxurious lather and a silky-smooth shave. Or before shaving, try applying some coconut or olive oil to your armpits and legs. It will help prevent cuts while moisturizing your skin and eliminate the need for wasteful, synthetic shaving products.
12. Are you tired of the frizz from your plastic hairbrush? Switch to a wooden hairbrush. You will be amazed at the difference. Tek hairbrushes are handmade in Italy using natural wood and an entirely biodegradable natural rubber cushion. Plastic brushes can increase static electricity in your hair. A wooden hairbrush reduces static and tames frizziness and flyaways.
13. The next time you go to clean off your hairbrush, don't throw your hair in the trash or flush it down the toilet. Hair can be composted or thrown outside because it decomposes naturally.
14. Like your hair, nail clippings and toenail clippings are fully compostable too. Avoid adding painted fingernails and toenails to your compost because the nail polish is a contaminant. Fake nails or acrylics should be avoided as well.
15. Organic hair ties are so much better than their plastic counterparts! They are made to last, don't slip, and don't give you hair tie headaches. Kooshoo makes the best plastic-free hair ties, and they're made in a certified fair trade facility.
16. Instead of using shampoo and conditioner packaged in plastic, consider using shampoo and conditioner bars. They don't contain the same harsh detergents in many liquid shampoos, which can strip your hair of its natural oils. Instead, the bars use solidified oils, butters, conditioners, and gentle cleansers put into a bar form.
17. Lotions are usually packaged in plastic bottles and made from mostly water. In fact, lotions, shower gels, and shampoos are made of up to 95% water! Thanks to Plaine Products, there's a big difference! Plaine Products takes advantage of refillable aluminum bottles so that you can enjoy lotion without all the plastic. And Plaine Products Moisturizers are much better because they use aloe as a base to create a lightweight, fast-absorbing, hydrating body moisturizer you'll love.
18. Want a plastic-free and effective deodorant? Shop ATTITUDE Natural Deodorants. Aluminum-free and plastic-free, their EWG Verified plant-based formula help neutralize odors and keep you dry.
19. Bristles from plastic brushes end up in landfills and water systems. Consider switching to all-natural body brushes and nail brushes made from wood and natural fibers.
20. Most people keep their first aid products in the bathroom. But did you know that bandaids are made out of plastic? The adhesive sheet of a band-aid is usually a woven fabric, plastic (PVC, polyethylene, or polyurethane), or latex strip. Patch Bandages are made from 100% natural bamboo fiber and mineral-based pressure-sensitive adhesive. They are the natural approach to wound care and are fully compostable too.

A zero waste bathroom doesn't materialize overnight. Small incremental steps will become good habits before you know it. Use what you have, use it all up, and make a better choice when you need a replacement. There are many ways to work towards a zero waste bathroom; just find what works best for you.