5 Eco Responsible Bathroom Swaps

Lifestyle

Let’s go through a few bathroom swaps that will help you live more sustainably. There is no one right solution that will work for everyone so I want to give a few eco-responsible solutions for each swap. Each one has it’s own pros and might have a different impact but you have to choose the right option for you.

I will not suggest specific companies but rather help you think about the different options. This allows you to learn the thought process and understand what to look out for. My hope is to help you choose the best option for yourself rather than taking my word on a specific company.

1. Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Wash 🧴

Traditional shampoo and conditioner comes in bulky virgin plastic bottles. And some of these have a plastic pump that isn’t easily recycled. I am including body wash in this section because it follows the same principles as far as containers and options that you can find.

Other options to try :
Bars. These are a concentrated option compared to plastic bottles which usually contain high volumes of water and don’t last as long. You can find these bars wrapped in recyclable paper or in some stores simply by themselves cut into squares. This options has the least left over waste that would end up in the landfill. Warning : some bars might come wrapped in a thin plastic which sort of defeats the purpose but on the bright side it is less plastic than a whole bottle. Baby wins.

Aluminum bottles. If you prefer liquid products for the lather this is a great option. This is a rather newer option but you can find them at select Targets. Aluminum can be recycled an infinite amount of times compared to 2-3 for plastic. If possible aim for one without a pump as that part would still be plastic and hard to recycle. However in order to keep it sustainable you have to recycle the bottle. Otherwise it still ends up in the landfill causing unnecessary waste.

100% recycled plastic bottles or rectangle shaped. This option may still be plastic but at least it is not requiring the creation of new plastic. This option is only better if it’s recycled plastic however it does still produce waste (and as we all know plastic never fully decomposes). Now why am I suggesting rectangle bottles? Well when the item is shipped in boxes, rectangle bottles can stack next to each other, without any wasted space. When you place traditional round bottles in a box there is always wasted space, requiring more transportation resources. Bet you didn’t think of that…

• Note : Please still pay attention to the ingredients in the shampoo and conditioner. Always aim for clean products as less chemicals are healthier for your skin and the environment. I would also recommend looking out for cruelty free companies.

2. Toothpaste 🦷

Toothpaste normally comes in plastic tubes and for a long time nobody thought twice about it. Well now is our chance.

Other options to try :
Toothpaste tabs. This options produces the least waste as they usually first come with a glass or aluminum jar to be refilled and then smaller packages. Double check if the packaging is recyclable or compostable. This option is also great for traveling as you don’t have to buy the travel size tubes, which produces more waste. I will note that the tabs are very different than toothpaste so it may take time to get used to.

Aluminum tubs. This option is best know by the company Davids. These tubes are recyclable and come with a metal resource that helps make sure you use all the toothpaste before recycling the tube.

*Not that both these options usually don’t include fluoride in the ingredients which dentists do recommend.

3. Deodorant 👃

Traditional deodorant comes in a plastic container with antiperspirant ingredients. This combination is both harmful to your body and the environment.

Other options to try :
Refillable cartridge. There are a number of companies that offer refillable options. These allow you to continue to reuse the base which is what normally leads to the majority of deodorant waste. Then you keep purchasing the deodorant itself in a recycled paper container. Some people prefer this option to paper tubes.

Paper tubes. These use recycled paper in a “push up” design that then you can recycle or hopefully composted when the deodorant is fully used up. The biggest critic of this design is the “push up” feature. Some people have complained that the deodorant doesn’t stay up as well as the plastic containers. It doesn’t bother me as you can easily push it back up but its something to keep in mind.

Glass jar. This option is a little less common at general stores but it’s still a great one. Once you finished the product you can easily sanitize the glass and reuse it. Glass is also infinitely recyclable so as long as you make sure it’s recycled that is one less item in the landfill. However, this container is heavier than the paper tubes so it will require more transportation fuels.

Homemade. There are lots of great natural DIY deodorant recipes out there. This will require you purchasing a number of ingredients but it can make a larger amount. This allows you to be 100% sure what you are putting on your skin. Please just be careful what containers the ingredients come in.

4. Makeup Remover Wipes 💄

Face wipes are a single use item that add up at the end of the year. It’s important to make sure you wash your face each night before you go to bed, but there are other sanitary options that wont contribute to the landfill.

Other options to try :
Face towels. Towels are a much better option compares to a single use item as they can be reused for years. I usually don’t need that much space to wash my face, so I use a corner of the towel each night, lasting 4 nights before I throw it in the laundry basket and grab a fresh one. Or you can keep a few on hand and use a new one each night. Although this option does require water to wash the towel (use cold water for less energy) it is still a better solution than waste in my opinion.

Face rounds. These are small cotton or hemp, usually a few inches around, pieces of fabric. They are usually smaller, made for one night use. Then you can wash them and re-use. This is a great option as you aren’t throwing anything away and they don’t take up much space in the laundry. Make sure to purchase high quality ones so that they last longer!

5. Toilet Paper 🧻

Toilet paper has a direct link to deforestation. Most toilet paper is made out of virgin pulp which means that we cut down 27,000 trees every day to produce toilet paper. This is an essential item but we can do better.

Other options to try :
100% recycled paper. You can find many options these days that offer recycled paper choices. Most grocery stores offer this option however they might come wrapped in a thin plastic wrap. But it is a step up from deforestation in my opinion. Recycled paper also uses less water and chemicals to produce each roll. Another option would be companies that offer delivery services straight to you. They are 100% recycled paper and each roll is wrapped in recycled paper making them 100% plastic free. This does come with transportation emissions rather than picking it up at the store at the same time as your groceries but you can weight the pros and cons.

Bamboo paper. Many of these newer delivery services also have a bamboo option. Bamboo is a great alternative as it is fast growing and easy to replenish. Bamboo can be grown in most soil types and doesn’t require much water. It actually require even less water than recycled paper would.

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I hope this post has given a few options to think about. Each alternative has its own price point and pros so you can choose which fits your lifestyle best. Or try a few different options and see which one feels right. Literally, try both recycled paper and bamboo paper and see which feels better on your tushy. 🍑

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