Converting to a zero waste bathroom may sound like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple! Most bathroom products are designed to be cheap, convenient and disposable; they're often packaged in a large amount of plastic that is used only a handful of times. The good news is that there are low-waste, recyclable options for every bathroom product you use daily.
Items like plastic shampoo bottles, disposable razors and plastic toothbrushes contribute to a massive amount of avoidable plastic waste.
Here at Flora & Fauna, we believe that any effort to cut down on plastic waste should be commended! Below are a few easy steps for you to achieve a zero waste bathroom.
Swap your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo toothbrush
Every plastic toothbrush ever made still exists out there somewhere with most in landfill. In Australia, over 30 million toothbrushes are used and disposed of each year, amounting to approximately 1000 tonnes of landfill. Toothbrushes are usually made of a combination of plastic, rubber and nylon for the bristles. This is usually non-recyclable unless you use a recycling programme like the F&F Recycling programme.
Swapping your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo toothbrush is the easiest place to start on your zero waste journey, or really in this case low waste as the bristles are nylon and need to be recycled - there are no great options yet for compostable bristles, not ones that last more than a few days anyway! We offer a great range of affordable and eco-friendly toothbrushes here at F&F. We even have our own best-selling Bamboo Toothbrush made with MOSO sustainable bamboo.
Swap plastic shampoo/conditioner bottles for shampoo bars.
There are so many reasons to purchase your hair care products in solid bar form. They massively cut down on the number of plastic bottles you dispose of, they’re great for travel, and they’re incredibly concentrated – meaning each bar can last up to 4 times longer! All shampoo and conditioner bars from Flora & Fauna are packaged in minimal, biodegradable materials; therefore no unnecessary plastics going to landfill.
Amor Luminis have a broad range of shampoo and conditioner bars to meet your unique hair goals: including packs for normal hair, oily hair, curly hair or toning & brightening. The Australian Natural Soap Company is another excellent, affordable choice with their range of soaps and shampoo bars that are made using plant oils.
Not sure how to store it? Soap Bags are a great way to store your soap, and you can use the bag to help create a lather. Just ensure you allow the soap and bag to dry, hanging in the sun will do the trick. Or you can use a wooden soap holder like these ones from Little Bit Daily, to ensure it dries properly after every use.
Swap your disposable razor for a safety razor.
It's not something we often think of, but disposable razors are probably one of the most wasteful things we use every day. Approximately 2 billion razors are disposed of in the U.S. every year!
Safety razors are a great zero waste choice when it comes to shaving. Purchasing a single razor, like the best-selling Parker Safety Razor, is such a great idea in the long run. Not only will you prevent countless disposable plastic razors from going into landfill, but you'll also save a considerable amount of money. More razors, blades and shaving accessories found here.
Other tips:
- Swap disposable cotton pads for reusable makeup remover pads. This 10 pack of Green + Kind ones come with five for cleansing and five for removing eye makeup. You can also buy singles too, plus they’re washable and long-lasting! It’s such a simple way to cut down on every day waste.
- Swap plastic packaged toothpaste for tooth powder. The Love Beauty Foods Tooth Powder is packaged in a recyclable glass jar and comes in 4 flavours, or try our popular ecostore Whitening Mint Toothpaste – its recyclable plastic tube is made from sugarcane!
- Swap synthetic scrubbers and sponges for natural alternatives. Konjac Sponges are 100% natural, made from the roots of the Konjac plant. They are naturally PH balanced, completely compostable, and we offer a range for both face and body. Another plant alternative to consider is a Loofah - plastic and toxin-free, this is a great way to naturally exfoliate and deep cleanse the skin.
- Swap plastic hair combs for a bamboo option. All the Bass hair brushes and combs we sell at F&F are made of sustainable bamboo, including the bristles! They are incredibly strong and can be used wet and dry, so perfect to take into the shower to comb through and detangle with your conditioner.
- Swap disposable pads and tampons for menstrual cups, reusable cloth pads and period panties. Women use approximately 11,250 single-use tampons or pads during their lifetime! This is a huge number that can be drastically reduced with a combination of some eco-friendly options.
Do you have any other tips on how to reduce bathroom waste? Let us know in the comments!
