Bee Sustainable: Zero-waste personal care
A lot of bathroom products produce a lot of waste. From toothbrushes to toothpaste to cotton swabs, everything comes in plastic. However, there are also a lot of plastic-free alternatives. Here’s a list of zero-waste swaps that will make your bathroom more sustainable.
Zero-waste personal care items
Most personal care items contain plastic either in them or in their packaging, but it’s easy to swap them out for eco-friendly solutions.
Toothbrush: Switch to a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush instead of using a plastic toothbrush. Apart from the bristles, bamboo toothbrushes are even compostable.
Toothpaste: Toothpaste doesn’t necessarily have to be a paste – it can come as powder or tablets. There are tons of zero-waste recipes out there that help you switch to an eco-friendly alternative.
Razors: If you have been using disposable razors, make the switch to reusable razors that let you change the blades. Even better, get a plastic-free safety razor where the only thing you have to dispose of is the blade.
Dental floss: Instead of dental floss in a plastic box, get yourself some biodegradable floss in glass containers.
Deodorant: There are a lot of alternatives to traditional deodorant in plastic packaging. You can buy deodorant in a glass container or as a deodorant stick in paperboard packaging. You can also make deodorant yourself.
Brushes and combs: Switch to natural hairbrushes with plant fiber bristles and a wooden comb. Surprisingly, they are also better for your hair.
Zero-waste shower products
Showering without plastic. Sounds impossible, but is easier than you think.
Shampoo: Most shampoos come in plastic bottles, but there are plenty of brands that offer plastic-free shampoo bars. Some stores even let you get your shampoo bottle refilled.
Soap: One of the easiest swaps is soap. Instead of buying shower gel in a plastic bottle, get a bar soap. At some places, you can even get them without packaging, for example at boutique stores or Whole Foods.
Conditioner: Similar to shampoo, you can also get conditioner as a bar. Alternatively, you can use apple cider vinegar to rinse your hair, which has similar effects as conditioner. Organic coconut oil and argan oil are also great options for conditioning your hair.
3-in-1 bars: There are also 3-in-1 bars that take the role of shampoo, soap, and shave cream all in one.
Soap storage: To let your soaps dry after use, get some natural loofah.
Some of these swaps aren’t necessarily zero-waste. There will still be components that aren’t quite compostable or biodegradable, such as razors or toothbrush bristles. But compared to conventional personal care items, opting for less waste is always better.
