Zero waste living has become an extremely popular lifestyle movement over the past few years, and because of it’s growing popularity, there are now endless amounts of zero waste products being sold worldwide. Some which are great, and others which are… not so great.
The wide selection and variety of zero waste alternatives can be overwhelming, especially for zero waste beginners. I want to help point any beginner zero-wasters in the right direction (and make sure you do not waste any money on useless products).
I have tested out a lot of zero waste bathroom alternatives, as this was the first area of my life I began making sustainable swaps, and I now know which ones are legitimately worth purchasing and are useful, and which ones you should stay far away from. So here are 5 zero waste bathroom swaps you will actually use (and don’t worry, they won’t break the bank)!
1. Safety Razors
A safety razor is a unique type of razor that is built to last a lifetime. These reusable razors are typically made from stainless steel or solid brass; unlike disposable razors which are made from plastic. Plastic disposable razors usually only last through a few shaves before the blade gets filled with hair. This does not happen with a safety razor.
Safety razors are built in three parts: the handle, the bottom of the head, and the top of the head. As well as a place for a blade to go in the middle.
This unscrewable design allows you to loosen the head every time you shave and wash away any hair buildup. The blades on these razors last a long time, and when you do have to replace them they are very inexpensive, typically around $9 (you can read more about the benefits of safety razors here).
Not convinced yet? This zero waste swap is not only going to be great for your wallet but it also tremendously helps the environment. In the United States alone, an estimated 2 billion plastic razors are thrown away annually (source). What’s really scary about this statistic is that it was tracked back in the 1980s and has not been tracked since, meaning the amount of plastic waste coming from disposable razors is likely much higher now.
Instead of contributing to this plastic waste, shop an eco-friendly alternative. I suggest Keep Well Kept or Bareaya.
2. Bamboo Toothbrush
This was the first sustainable swap I ever made (and years later, I still find this product to be an extremely practical alternative).
This simple zero-waste swap actually helps the environment and wildlife a lot. In the United States alone, enough toothbrushes are tossed out every year to circle around the Earth four times — how crazy is that?! These toothbrushes also make their way into waterways and oceans where marine life can mistake them for food, which is seriously harmful to them (source).
By simply purchasing an eco-friendly alternative, all of this plastic waste can be curved. The handles on bamboo toothbrushes are biodegradable and depending on the company, the bristles can be recycled.
Below are some links to bamboo toothbrush from companies I have tried and loved:
3. Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
This one is a complete game changer. If you haven’t made the swap yet this is your sign to do so! Shampoo and conditioner bars are amazing for many reasons (click here to learn more about their benefits) but the main reason they are an amazing sustainable swap is because they create ZERO plastic!
Now, everyone’s hair needs are different so you may need to experiment between different brands but I highly recommend Unwrapped Life. I tried a few brands before them but none have come in comparison!
4. Sustainable Hair Accessories
This is a fun one and also something that I believe is overlooked! Most conventional hair accessories are made with plastic or synthetic materials, which are not recyclable or biodegradable.
Of course I don’t want you to throw away all the hair ties you currently own, but next time you’re looking to buy some hair accessories I highly suggest you swap for an eco-friendly alternative. There are great companies like Kooshoo who are producing hair tie alternatives and scrunchies in an amazingly sustainable and ethical way!
5. Eco-Friendly Period Products
This was one of the last zero waste bathroom swaps I made and I really wish I would have made the switch sooner. Ladies, we do not have to contribute to period waste any longer. There are a ton of zero-waste and low-waste period alternatives to plastic pads and tampons.
First and foremost, I recommend a menstrual cup. It seriously changed my period for the better.
I find period cups extremely convenient as you only have to change them every 12 hours. So I will put my cup in when I wake up and again just before I go to sleep. I also find that my cramps are not as bad when I use the cup.
As I mentioned above, I am a period cup beginner but I do wholeheartedly recommend the brand Saalt. The reason I like Saalt is because their cups come in a soft option. The Saalt Cup Soft is a great option for first time period cup users because it is made from an ultra soft silicone and makes insertion easier.
However, I know not everyone may be able to, or wants to, use a period cup. So I wanted to share some other sustainable period products you can try out.
If you enjoy using pads, I would recommend the brand Hannah Pads. They make reusable pads out of organic cotton. If tampons are your thing, I recommend Honest (USA and Canada) and Ohne (UK). Lastly, if period underwear is your jam, I recommend an eco-friendly swap like Thinx!
That wraps up my top 5 sustainable and zero waste bathroom swaps I believe are worth your money and everyone should own! Do you own any of these products? Are you interested in making any of these zero waste bathroom swaps?
I’d also be curious to know if you agree with my list or not! Is there a product you think I left out? Let me know in the comments below. xo
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