Reducing plastic waste in the bathroom is a crucial step towards a more sustainable lifestyle. By making conscious choices and adopting eco-friendly alternatives, you can significantly minimize your plastic footprint. To celebrate Plastic Free July, here are five practical tips to create a plastic-free bathroom, helping you make a meaningful and conscious impact for a cleaner and greener planet.
How to go 'Plastic-Free' in your Bathroom
1. Choose plastic-free toiletries
The first step towards reducing plastic waste in your bathroom is by swapping plastic toiletries for sustainable alternatives. Look for shampoo and conditioner bars that come in compostable packaging or opt for refillable options through bulk refill shops. Swap out your plastic soap dispenser for a bar of soap packaged in recyclable materials. By choosing plastic-free toiletries, you can eliminate a significant amount of plastic waste from your daily routine.
2. Invest in reusable bathroom essentials
Disposable items such as cotton balls, cotton pads, and wet wipes contribute to plastic pollution. Instead, invest in reusable alternatives. Use washable cotton rounds or reusable bamboo cotton pads for your skincare routine. Replace disposable wet wipes with reusable cloth wipes or opt for biodegradable wipes made from sustainable materials. These reusable alternatives are not only eco-friendly but also cost-effective in the long run.
3. Switch to plastic-free oral care
Oral care products are notorious for not only their plastic packaging but also being singe use. One of the easiest ways to go plastic-free with your oral care is by using a bamboo or non GMO corn starch toothbrush and use toothpaste alternatives like toothpowder or toothpaste tablets that come in refillable or compostable packaging. Choose floss made from silk, corn or bamboo, which comes in refillable containers or better invest in a water flosser. Additionally, look for mouthwash tablets or concentrates that can be mixed with water, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles.By making these swaps, you can significantly reduce plastic waste in your oral care routine.
4. Refill instead of repurchasing
Many bathroom products come in plastic bottles or containers that are discarded after a single use. Instead of continuously repurchasing these items, look for refillable options. Bulk refill or health food stores these days offer refill stations for products like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and hand soap. By refilling your existing containers, you can eliminate the need for new plastic packaging and reduce waste.
5. Repurpose and upcycle
Before discarding empty containers, consider repurposing them. Glass jars can be used to store homemade beauty products, cotton swabs, or other small bathroom items. Empty plastic bottles can be transformed into planters or organizers. Get creative and find new uses for items that would otherwise end up in landill. By upcycling and repurposing, you can give new life to old items and minimize waste.
It is time to ditch single use plastic and creating a plastic-free bathroom is so much more accessible now than ever. Every small switch contributes towards bigger changes and a healthier planet.