The bathroom is one of the most waste-heavy areas in our homes. From disposable razors to plastic-wrapped toiletries, we generate a lot of trash that often ends up in landfills. Transitioning to a zero-waste, eco-friendly bathroom might seem daunting, but with a few thoughtful changes, you can significantly reduce your waste while adopting a more sustainable lifestyle.
adopt the zero-waste mentality
“Refuse what you do not need; reduce what you do need; reuse what you consume; recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce, or reuse; and rot (compost) the rest.“
What is a Zero-Waste Bathroom?
A zero-waste bathroom is one where products are reused, repurposed, or made from sustainable materials to minimize waste. The goal is to avoid sending anything to a landfill, encouraging a more circular life cycle for products and materials.
Why Focus on the Bathroom?
While the kitchen often gets the spotlight in zero-waste discussions, the bathroom is just as important. It’s where we use a lot of single-use products that are often overlooked. By focusing on this small space, you can cut down your overall household waste significantly.
Understanding the Concept of Zero-Waste Living
At its core, zero-waste living follows five essential principles: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot. Refuse what you don’t need, reduce your consumption, reuse items when possible, recycle responsibly, and compost (rot) organic waste. Applying these to your bathroom will set the foundation for a low-impact, eco-friendly routine.
Start by Assessing Your Current Bathroom Waste
Before diving into zero-waste swaps, take inventory of your current habits. What disposable products do you rely on? How much plastic is present? Are you using items that come in excessive packaging? Understanding where most of your waste comes from will guide your efforts in making sustainable changes.
Swap Disposable Items for Reusable Alternatives
Reusable Razors Instead of Disposables
Plastic razors are a major contributor to bathroom waste. Switch to a stainless-steel safety razor, which only requires replacing the metal blades, cutting down on plastic.
Cloth Towels Over Paper Towels
I cannot tell you how many paper towels we go through in a week but I know I buy the costco size 1x a month. Rather than using paper towels, opt for reusable cloth towels. They’re perfect for drying hands, cleaning up spills, and even removing makeup. I like these and I’ve been using them for everything. For cleaning, I like these.
Reusable Cotton Pads or Face Cloths
* 4 = $12 / year vs $9.40 for the reusable kind!)
Disposable cotton pads are wasteful, but there are excellent reusable alternatives like organic cotton rounds or washable face cloths that can be used over and over.
Refillable and Reusable Containers for Toiletries
Instead of buying new plastic bottles for your toiletries, consider purchasing products in glass containers or switching to brands that offer refill stations for things like shampoo, soap, and lotion.
Switch to Plastic-Free Packaging
Why Plastic-Free Matters in the Bathroom
Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down, and a lot of it never really goes away. By using plastic-free alternatives, especially in a space like the bathroom where so much plastic is consumed, you’re reducing your long-term environmental footprint.
Brands Offering Plastic-Free Alternatives
Many eco-conscious brands now offer plastic-free packaging. Shampoo bars, toothpaste tablets, and deodorants in cardboard tubes are excellent options to explore.
DIY Products for a Plastic-Free Routine
Feeling crafty? You can make your own zero-waste products like toothpaste using baking soda and coconut oil or create deodorant from arrowroot powder, shea butter, and essential oils.
Opt for Natural, Sustainable Materials
Bamboo Toothbrushes Instead of Plastic
Swap your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one. Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource that’s biodegradable, unlike plastic.
Wooden or Metal Combs and Brushes
Plastic combs and brushes can be easily replaced with ones made from wood or metal, which last longer and are often made from more sustainable materials.
Organic Cotton or Hemp for Towels and Textiles
Towels, bath mats, and washcloths made from organic cotton or hemp are not only more eco-friendly but also gentler on your skin.
Make Sustainable Choices for Personal Care Products
Solid Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Ditch plastic bottles by opting for solid shampoo and conditioner bars. These often come in paper or cardboard packaging, cutting down on unnecessary plastic.
Toothpaste Tablets or Powder
For obvious reasons, toothpaste tubes are notoriously hard to recycle. While toothpaste tablets or powder, which come in recyclable or compostable containers, are a great alternative and a lot less messy!
Natural Deodorants and Their Benefits
Many natural deodorants now come in plastic-free packaging or can be homemade, ensuring you’re not using harmful chemicals while also avoiding single-use plastic.
Menstrual Cups, Cloth Pads, or Period Panties
For a zero-waste period, consider reusable options like menstrual cups, cloth pads, or period panties. They reduce waste and save money in the long run.
Water Conservation as Part of Zero-Waste
Installing a Low-Flow Showerhead
Water is a precious resource. Installing a low-flow showerhead can significantly reduce water consumption without compromising water pressure.
Reducing Water Waste with a Water-Efficient Toilet
Yay, a reason to get a fancier toilet! Older toilets can use an excessive amount of water per flush. Upgrading to a water-efficient toilet can save gallons of water each day.
Shorter Showers and Mindful Water Usage
Cutting your shower time by even a few minutes can make a huge difference in water conservation. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving to save even more.
Reduce or Eliminate Harsh Chemicals
Natural Cleaning Products for the Bathroom
Switch out chemical-laden cleaning products for natural alternatives. Baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils work just as well without the harmful side effects.
Homemade Alternatives Using Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Essential Oils
For an all-purpose cleaner, mix vinegar and water with a few drops of tea tree oil. Baking soda makes a great scrubbing agent for sinks and tubs.
Eco-Friendly Soaps and Scrubs
Look for eco-friendly soaps and scrubs that come in minimal packaging and use natural, biodegradable ingredients.
Composting Organic Waste from the Bathroom
What Organic Waste is Generated in the Bathroom?
Items like hair, nail clippings, and used cotton rounds can often be composted. Even things like biodegradable cotton buds are compostable.
How to Compost Tissues, Cotton, Hair, and Nail Clippings
If you have a compost bin at home, consider adding these items to your compost pile. They break down naturally, reducing landfill waste.
Sustainable Storage Solutions
Glass Jars and Wooden Shelves
So all those Jam Jars I threw out all those year could have been used more efficiently…
When organizing your bathroom, choose storage solutions made from sustainable materials like glass and wood. Glass jars can be used to store cotton rounds, soap, or even toothpaste tablets.
Repurposing Containers for Storage
Repurpose old containers to store bath salts, scrubs, or reusable cotton rounds. This reduces the need to buy new storage items and keeps things organized.
Embrace Minimalism: Less is More
Decluttering Your Bathroom Essentials
Take a minimalist approach to your bathroom by reducing the number of products you keep. Only keep what you truly use and love.
The Importance of Intentional Purchasing
When you need to buy something new, be intentional. Choose products that are durable, reusable, or sustainably packaged.
DIY and Upcycling for a Zero-Waste Bathroom
Repurposing Old Towels into Cleaning Rags
Don’t throw away old towels. Cut them up to make cleaning rags, which are perfect for wiping down surfaces or scrubbing the shower.
Making Your Own Bath Salts, Scrubs, and Masks
DIY bath products can be fun and sustainable. Use ingredients like Epsom salts, essential oils, and coconut oil to make your own bath salts or scrubs.
Educate and Inspire Others
Sharing Your Zero-Waste Journey
One of the best ways to spread awareness is to share your zero-waste journey with friends, family, and online communities. Show others that it’s possible to live more sustainably, even in small spaces like the bathroom.
Supporting Eco-Friendly Brands and Encouraging Change in Others
When you buy from eco-conscious brands and encourage others to do the same, you create a ripple effect that supports sustainable practices.
Eco-Trendy Products for a Zero-Waste Bathroom
Reusable Razors
- Brand Example: Leaf Shave – Offers a metal razor with replaceable blades and pivoting head, making it a zero-waste alternative to disposable razors.
- Why It’s Great: Durable and recyclable with a sleek design.
The unique and patent-protected Leaf Razor is the first safety razor designed to address the needs of body shavers and head shavers.
- A pivoting head
- Adjustable closeness
- Triple-blade shave
- Magnetic loading assist
- Zero disposable plastic
There are other metal razors, but there are no other Leaf Razors. We welcome you to try us as the best way to experience the difference.
Bamboo Toothbrushes
- Brand Example: Brush with Bamboo – Biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes with compostable bristles and packaging.
- Why It’s Great: These brushes help reduce plastic waste significantly and are a great daily-use item for zero-waste living.
Solid Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
- Brand Example: Ethique – This brand offers a wide range of plastic-free, solid shampoo and conditioner bars.
- Why It’s Great: Ethique bars are long-lasting, cruelty-free, and come in compostable packaging.
Reusable Cotton Pads
- Brand Example: LastObject’s LastRound – Reusable cotton rounds that can be washed and reused up to 1,000 times.
- Why It’s Great: You reduce your reliance on disposable cotton pads, saving money and reducing waste over time.
Toothpaste Tablets
- Brand Example: Bite Toothpaste Bits – Toothpaste in tablet form, packaged in glass bottles, which can be reused or refilled.
- Why It’s Great: This option eliminates the need for plastic toothpaste tubes, and the product itself is travel-friendly.
Menstrual Cups
- Brand Example: DivaCup – A well-known menstrual cup brand that can be reused for years.
- Why It’s Great: It’s a long-term, waste-free solution to disposable pads and tampons, drastically reducing monthly bathroom waste.
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Compostable Bamboo Toilet Paper
- Brand Example: Who Gives a Crap – Offers toilet paper made from bamboo or recycled paper, with 50% of profits going toward building toilets in developing countries.
- Why It’s Great: It’s plastic-free, eco-friendly, and supports a good cause.
- Our eco-friendliest rolls, soft and scrunchable
- Super length rolls; 385 sheets
- Super comfy 3 ply
- 100% recycled paper (no virgin trees used!)
- Biodegradable and plays well with most septic tanks
- Carbon neutral shipping
Plastic-Free Deodorants
- Brand Example: Meow Meow Tweet – Offers natural deodorant in cardboard tubes, avoiding plastic packaging.
- Why It’s Great: They use organic, natural ingredients, and the packaging is compostable.
Low-Flow Showerheads
- Brand Example: High Sierra’s Low-Flow Showerhead – Uses 40% less water than standard models without sacrificing water pressure.
- Why It’s Great: Helps conserve water while maintaining a great shower experience, fitting into a zero-waste lifestyle that also conserves resources.
Biodegradable Floss
- Brand Example: Dental Lace – Floss made from silk, housed in a refillable glass container.
- Why It’s Great: Silk is biodegradable, and the reusable glass container makes this a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic floss.
Natural Cleaning Products
Make it easy for everyone to make sustainable choices
- Brand Example: Blueland – Offers eco-friendly cleaning tablets that you mix with water in reusable bottles.
- Why It’s Great: This reduces the need for plastic packaging, and the products are non-toxic and effective for bathroom cleaning.
Conclusion
| Company | Key Products | Sustainability Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blueland | Toilet cleaner, hand soap, body wash | Refillable containers, plastic-free packaging, biodegradable formulas | $$ |
| Who Gives A Crap | Toilet paper, tissues | 100% recycled or bamboo, plastic-free packaging, donates 50% of profits | $$ |
| Bite | Toothpaste bits, floss, mouthwash | Zero-waste packaging, plastic-free products, vegan and cruelty-free | $$ |
| Ethique | Shampoo bars, conditioner bars, body wash bars | Plastic-free, zero-waste packaging, vegan and palm oil-free | $$ |
| LastObject | Reusable cotton swabs, tissues, and cotton rounds | Durable, washable alternatives to single-use items | $$$ |
| Leaf Shave | Safety razors | Plastic-free, long-lasting metal razors with recyclable blades | $$$$ (initial cost) $ (long-term) |
Public Goods | Various bathroom essentials | Minimalist packaging, refillable options, sustainable materials | $$ |
| By Humankind | Deodorant, mouthwash tablets, shampoo bars | Refillable containers, plastic-neutral shipping, natural ingredients | $$$ |
Look, I know transitioning to a zero-waste bathroom is not always the most economical solution but it is the most rewarding way to reduce your environmental footprint. By making mindful swaps, choosing reusable options, and adopting sustainable habits, you can create a space that is both functional and eco-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is zero-waste living expensive?
Not necessarily! Many zero-waste products are reusable and end up saving you money in the long run.
How do I start with zero-waste if I’m on a budget?
Start small by swapping out single-use items for reusable ones, and look for DIY options.
Are there zero-waste options for every bathroom product?
Almost! While some items might be harder to replace, many everyday products have zero-waste alternatives.
Can I make my own zero-waste toiletries?
Yes, you can make items like toothpaste, deodorant, and even face scrubs with simple, natural ingredients.
What should I do with the waste I already have?
Use up what you have first, then recycle or repurpose the containers when possible. Transitioning to zero-waste is a gradual process.
Highlighting LastObject
LastObject was born to disrupt the single-use industry with reusable products that work better for you and do better for the planet. We want to save our PLANET and oceans from single-use items and be part of the solution to the climate crisis. We create PRODUCTS that you love to use and reuse so that sustainability becomes an easier choice. On our journey, we want to give PEOPLE great work opportunities across the planet and create a fantastic work environment.
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