How to go Plastic Free in the Bathroom

Humans are creatures of habit, as they say, and this is true for how we use plastic in the bathroom. If we stop and look around, the bathroom is littered with plastic packaging and items, from shower gels housed in single-use plastic to cotton buds and toothbrushes, not to mention the children’s bath toys. Going plastic-free in the bathroom is a challenge.

Yet, today, more than ever, we recognize that the amount of plastic we use is a problem. Simply put, its creation pollutes, and as we dispose of plastic, it can find its way into our environment and cause harm to marine life. And even enter the food chain.

And single-use plastic is a big culprit. We use all those shampoo bottles, tubes, and even wet wipes only once and throw them away. Thankfully, going plastic-free in the bathroom is easier than you might think.

Amongst growing concern for our polluting ways, pending single-use plastic bans, and a growing number of alternatives, there is no need for us to use as much plastic as we currently do. Many initiatives exist to help us reduce, reuse, and recycle. Given how easy it is to see plastic everywhere in the bathroom, making some small changes can make all the difference.

With many options available to us, from zero-waste deodorants to shampoo bars and body washes, we no longer have to accept plastic as a form of packaging or as a material in a wide range of bathroom products². Here are some ideas to swap out or reduce our plastic use in the bathroom.

Why Do We Rely On Plastic So Much?

Plastic is durable, flexible, and perfect for use in the bathroom. Of course, if you just consider its function rather than its manufacture and potential environmental harm.

Many items in our bathrooms need protection from moisture and plastic; therefore, it fits the bill. Items such as toothbrushes or cotton buds need to be water-resistant, and we’ve come to expect to buy them cheaply.

Shower gels or shampoo similarly need to reliably hold liquid, and plastic’s flexible makeup provides us with that satisfying squeeze.

It is clear to see why we rely on plastic, but it is also clear just how big the issue is. Some of the plastic waste from our bathrooms gets flushed down the toilet. As a result, bathroom waste is ending up on our beaches³.

Similarly, many plastic bathroom items don’t get recycled due to either their size, makeup, or use.

Going plastic-free in the bathroom requires commitment and considered choices. To do so, we have to resist the convenience of the supermarket aisles lined with plastic bottles. Rather, we need to look towards options that come in sustainable or biodegradable packaging. Or towards refills and reusable items, and aim for those made entirely without plastic.

Plastic-Free Bathroom Swaps

Thankfully, to help us on the way, as consumers, we now have more choices to help us go plastic-free in the bathroom. We don’t have to buy big brands and their plastic products or packaging. The growing amount of alternatives provides options for us to reduce plastic waste.

For most of us, it won’t happen overnight. Yet if we all make small improvements to reduce our plastic consumption, then together, we can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste we generate.

And the more of us do so, the more we can encourage wider shifts towards environmentally friendly products. As more consumers start to demand more sustainable packaging and products, the big brands will be further motivated to change their own products¹.

Plastic Free ToothBrushes

The first swap we could make is the toothbrushes that we use. Bamboo toothbrushes are just as useable as plastic toothbrushes. In the US alone, around a billion toothbrushes are used annually. This creates 22 million kilograms of waste each year, a percentage of which ends up in landfill or, worse, our oceans.

The bamboo alternatives work just as well, and they are biodegradable. Further, bamboo is something of a wonder plant; fast-growing, cheap to produce, and containing natural antibacterial properties, it’s a perfect replacement for all those plastic handles.

However, the bristles are still nylon and, therefore, can be removed and disposed of separately.

Looking for more options? Have a browse our list of 17 Best Zero Waste Toothbrushes.

Plastic Free Toothpaste

We all have toothpaste in the bathroom. Of course, the vast majority comes in the ubiquitous plastic tube. These tubes are intentionally designed to last for ages so that toothpaste can be stored on supermarket shelves indefinitely.

Of course, this means that once disposed of, plastic toothpaste tubes also last for 100s of years in our landfills.

And because most of the time, our discarded plastic toothpaste tubes still contain a bit of leftover toothpaste, they typically aren’t recycled. Most municipal recycling programs, therefore, don’t accept plastic toothpaste tubes. Do check where you live, however, as exceptions do exist.

And with each home in the country getting through a tube or so a month, that’s a whole lot of plastic that we really don’t need to waste. In fact, estimates suggest that globally, we discard around 1.5 billion plastic toothpaste tubes every year.

Thankfully, there’s a growing number of new brands entering the market that provide plastic-free bathroom swaps to replace all those plastic toothpaste tubes. Seek out glass jars of plastic-free toothpaste or dental tabs that do just as good a job without the plastic waste.

Plastic-Free Toothpaste Options on Amazon:

Denttabs

Davids Natural Toothpaste

For more options, browse our list of the best zero-waste toothpaste. And to complete your zero-waste bathroom, you can also grab some zero-waste mouthwash and zero-waste floss.

Biodegradable Pads and Wipes

Wet wipes and makeup removal pads have become part of the bathroom routine for many. However, what some may not realize is that most of these products on supermarket shelves contain plastic. Manufacturers blend plastic into our wipes to help prevent them from tearing when wet.

And that’s not the end of the problem with pads and wipes. Because they are often flushed after use, they can find their way into our waterways and can even eventually wash up in our oceans. They can also collect together and cause sewage blockages. One study in the UK even found that wet wipes accounted for 93% of sewage blockages⁶.

And like many of the items we use in the bathroom daily, we get through many wipes. Around 11bn a year in the UK alone.

Hence, swap out wipes with plastic for biodegradable alternatives or reusable cotton pads.

Shop the Marleys Monsters zero waste facial rounds (pictured) on Etsy or have a browse of a number of colorful and eco-friendly wipes and pads.

Plastic-Free Cotton Buds

Cotton buds, or rather the plastic tubes that connect the cotton buds, have previously been found to be the 6th or 7th most common item collected on UK beaches⁵. Another seemingly essential bathroom item that is hard to recycle due to its size, each cotton buds plastic tube is one we can do without.

Biodegradable alternatives are a simple swap we can all make toward a plastic-free bathroom.

Click to buy on Etsy

Plastic Free Shower Curtains

If you have a shower above the bath, you most likely have a shower curtain to prevent water from running everywhere. Most of these curtains come in plastic, are cheaply produced, and don't last that long.

Here, you can swap out plastic for a wide variety of stylish and sustainable eco-friendly shower curtains made of natural materials like hemp and organic cotton. And you'll feel a bit better each morning, not surrounded by plastic.

Plastic Free Razors

Another problem in the bathroom is disposable razors, with more than 2 billion being disposed of each year. However, we do not have to use disposable razors just for convenience. A safety razor makes a great alternative, and over time, it will significantly help to put a dent in the amount of plastic waste we create.

Reusable Razors on Amazon:

Weishi Colourful Reusable Razor

Bambaw Unisex Safety Razor

You might also like our choices of some of the zero-waste shaving routine essentials.

Avoiding Plastic Bottles

Of course, much of our time spent in the bathroom is spent washing in the bath or shower. Therefore, we go through masses of shampoo and other body cleansing products. One of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce plastic waste is to purchase soap, shampoo, or conditioner in bar form. No plastic bottle is required.

They work in the same way, and there is no plastic waste. Better still, they last longer and save money, and they come with a lower carbon footprint when it comes to transportation.

Plastic Free Cleaning Products

Similarly, our bathrooms need good and regular cleaning. Many of us will have dedicated bathroom cleaning products that we store in our bathrooms. This will include bleach, cleaning sprays, and a variety of other products.

Of course, all of these come in their own plastic packaging. Towards a plastic-free bathroom, you can also explore zero-waste cleaning products made from natural ingredients rather than using manufactured chemical-based cleaners. For example, lemon juice can remove stains or make a cleaning paste from the bicarbonate of soda.

Reducing the amount we use and being savvy with our purchases can make a huge difference.

Use Refills

Many manufacturers are now doing their bit to help the environment. Whether it is cleaning products, low-waste makeup, or body products, it is now possible to reduce plastic waste by using refills.

From shampoo to shower gel and evening limescale removers, manufacturers now supply products that can be emptied into the original bottle. This makes it possible to keep the same bottle regardless of how many times you need to replace the products.

Therefore, a simple way to reduce plastic waste is to choose refills. Although some of these still come in plastic, at least it's an improvement. Or, where possible, choose refills in cardboard packaging from one of the many excellent zero-waste stores offering alternatives to goods in wasteful packaging.

It Takes Time to Reduce Waste

In a perfect world, we would reduce and remove plastic overnight. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as that, and so, it takes time. We can use up existing products, such as hair care products or toothpaste, before we purchase anything new. Then, we can take an incremental approach and change one thing at a time.

Of course, we are all different, and switching products might not work for everyone. Therefore, it is also worth testing products to see if they are right.

There is also the cost aspect for people to consider. Sometimes, the smaller brands or those with eco-friendly credentials can be a touch more expensive.

It can also help to make a list of all the plastic items in your bathroom. This can help you to see just how much plastic waste you currently have. It will also help you to decide what you want to swap. This can help with budget planning while gaining a clear understanding of the situation.

Recycling is Also a Key

It requires a number of approaches to deal with plastic waste in the bathroom. In the bathroom alone, on average, we only recycle half of the plastic we use. Placing a small recycling bin in the bathroom can improve the number of plastic items you recycle at home or work.

It is also worth understanding the plastics that we can recycle as well as any local schemes⁴. They do vary from place to place, and taking the time to understand which bathroom items can and can’t be recycled can help you work out which items make for the most important swaps. For example, typically, most plastic bottles can be recycled, and smaller items such as cotton buds or anything used for personal hygiene are less likely to be.

Further, many brands, such as Mac provide their own recycling programs. If you decide to stick to a favorite brand, a little research should tell you if they can accept back packaging your local recycling scheme might not take.

Making use of these programs and remaining organized is key to recycling as much as possible. This will prevent plastic waste from being discarded into landfills, where it pollutes the environment for centuries.

Join Force With Others

It is possible to feel overwhelmed with all the choices and decisions to make in pursuit of a plastic-free bathroom. Making the swap, in some instances, is relatively straightforward. However, in some cases, finding items that are accessible and affordable can prove to be a challenge.

However, there is a huge amount of help for you out there. If you feel passionate about making a change, then there are zero-waste groups in almost every area. Here, you can speak to people who can help you find alternatives.

To add to this, you can also enhance your knowledge by researching products using websites such as the Ethical Consumer. Good reviews by credible organizations can help you make the right choices.

Doing Our Bit

As consumers, we have the potential to make a change. We have the ability to make manufacturers sit up and take notice.

We no longer have to accept plastic products as the norm. The bathroom is a menace when it comes to plastic waste. In fact, it is the menace that can go unnoticed as we’ve become so used to the convenience of many of the items we use on a daily basis.

From razors to toothbrushes and even our toilet paper, they all use some form of plastic. Despite this, it is possible to change our ways slowly and gradually. All it takes is a considered and organized approach. Over time, we can replace products, make smarter decisions, and help reduce plastic waste in our bathrooms.