10 (BEST) TIPS FOR A ZERO WASTE BATHROOM

Zero waste, the desire to limit the use of plastic and do away with all disposable items is becoming more and more common in our lives. The bathroom remains one of the places where it is easiest to move towards a zero waste and minimalist approach. By taking it step by step, it is very simple to reduce and completely eliminate plastic and single-use and disposable items. We want our bathroom to be natural and uncluttered, so that we can relax there and enjoy a zen space. Nothing better than to be able to unwind after a long day. It's entirely possible, just opt for natural and sustainable accessories, use solid cosmetics of excellent quality and eliminate the creation of unnecessary waste.

Here are the ten best simple and quick tips to implement to obtain a natural, refined, minimalist and ecological bathroom, divided into several categories. Now let's take a look at how to achieve zero-waste-in-the-bathroom.

Tips for a daily zero-waste bathroom

1. Use solid cosmetics

Cosmetics are an essential element among its care products in an ecological bathroom. However, most of the time our shower gel, liquid shampoo, toothpaste in a tube or cream in a jar are packaged in plastic packaging. Used on a daily basis, these essential treatments are the cause of a lot of waste produced on a daily basis. However, today we can easily replace these liquid cosmetics with solid cosmetics. They do not contain water, are composed only with the essential, the active agents. Thanks to contact with water in our shower or bath, they foam just as strongly as their liquid equivalents. Opt for soap bars, solid shampoos, cream deodorants or even solid toothpastes. More economical and less expensive, they will satisfy you both from a financial point of view but above all from a health point of view. Solid treatments last significantly longer and their ingredients are natural and vegan. By comparing, you will see a real difference in profitability for a superior quality of care. Without plastic packaging, they will contribute significantly to your zero waste approach and take up less space in your bathroom or toiletry bag.

2. Reduce the use of cosmetics

Cosmetics, we love them! But do we really need all the care that our bathroom drawers contain? Adopting a zero waste and minimalist approach for our beauty routine also means significantly reducing its purchases and consume differently. This is not about giving up care, but if you're concerned about your future, you should be concerned about how you consume. Each use of cosmetics should correspond to it being respectful of our environment. So try to choose multi-purpose cosmetics, packaged in cardboard, metal jar or glass jar (so much more elegant). A multi-purpose organic balm instead of a cream for the body, for the hands, for the feet, for the face... A solid shampoo that will suit all the members of your family, or even a solid soap that is gentle enough to be used by both adults and children in the same household.

3. Try solid makeup removers and washable makeup remover discs

Applying make-up and removing make-up is a daily gesture for many. To properly cleanse our face from make-up removal, we often choose a single solution: make-up removal milk (micellar water) and a single-use cotton pad. The first is packaged in a plastic bottle, while the second, even though it is made of natural organic cotton, it remains an avoidable waste for the environment. There are two solutions to this plastic and waste: opt for a solid, vegan and 100% natural make-up remover oil, and remove all make-up with one or more washable make-up remover discs using this zero waste make-up remover. The solid make-up remover not only cleans perfectly, it has the great advantage of being packed in a cardboard box. No more plastic packaging of cleansing milk. In addition, it is mostly organic, vegan and cruelty free and will be perfect for sensitive skin. Being a revolutionary treatment, its ingredients are of exceptional quality. Very economical and durable, it will allow you to remove make-up for many months, even if you wear make-up every day, so opt for zero waste make-up removal.

As for the washable pads, they are very soft and won't irritate your face. Unlike a make-up remover wipe, the washable cotton is perfectly reusable A small wash will be enough to be able to enjoy it again. In addition, your washable wipes or discs will quickly pay for themselves given their cost.

4. Use a toothbrush made of bamboo or with an exchangeable head

You should change your toothbrush every two months, approximately after six or seven hours of use. Nevertheless, even thrown away, it will continue to exist for at least another 400 years. Today there is a large supply of bamboo toothbrushes. The handle of a bamboo toothbrush is biodegradable, that's for sure. On the other hand, it is necessary to pay attention to the material of which the bristles are made. Most of the time, the bristles are made of nylon, so they are not biodegradable and difficult to recycle. Before composting your bamboo toothbrush, you should remove the bristles with pliers and remove the small metal rings that keep them in place in the toothbrush. Bamboo is a plant that grows at an extraordinary rate in Asia (and therefore all bamboo brushes are made in Asia). A bamboo toothbrush is a good alternative to replace a plastic toothbrush, however, contrary to popular belief, it is not 100% biodegradable, so not really ecological. It will be ideal for your teeth and their healthy daily cleaning.

Second alternative is a toothbrush with an interchangeable head. The handle of this brush is made of either wood or bioplastic, it is designed to last a lifetime. The brush head is exchangeable and rechargeable, so the waste produced is very limited. The advantage of these brushes over bamboo brushes is that you can find brands that manufacture them in France.

5. Dare to use natural dental floss

For many of us, dental floss is the thing we use and throw away every day. It is not compostable and not very recyclable. Its plastic packaging is waste that is produced regularly and could easily be disposed of. Natural silk or mulberry silk dental floss is an excellent replacement for plasticized dental floss. Entirely natural, it will be compostable and its packaging is a mini recyclable glass bottle. You can easily get refills for a totally natural and ecological action.

Tips for a sleek zero-waste bathroom

1. Switch to natural beauty accessories

Our bathrooms are often full of beauty accessories. Hairbrushes, combs, soap dishes, cotton swabs, our accessories are often made of plastic. If they are worn out or become unusable, you can consider exchanging them and opting for natural bathroom accessories. Designed in wood, bamboo, ceramic, they will not only be pleasant to the touch, but also better for our environment. Today we can find an equivalent of every little thing in our bathroom to make it natural, minimalist, elegant and plastic-free.

2. Opt for the safety razor

More than 400 million plastic razors end up at the bottom of our trash every year, or just over a million every day. This makes a beautiful mountain of orange, pink and green plastic. However, a safety razor, much more elegant with its wooden, bamboo or stainless steel handle, is much more pleasant to use and effective. Your safety razor will ensure less irritated skin thanks to sharper and better quality blades. In addition, you will only have to change the blades, so its cost will be amortized very quickly and your bin will be all the lighter

3. Choose a menstrual cup or panties

An astronomical budget over a woman's life is spent on sanitary pads and tampons. At the rate of 13 cycles per year, between the ages of 13 and 50 approximately (minus the months of pregnancy and breastfeeding), we arrive on average at 480 cycles. Knowing that it takes about 25 tampons or pads per cycle, this represents more than 10,000 sanitary protections over the life of a woman. The cost and the mountain of waste that we produce are monstrous, not ecological, bad for your health and at the same time very easy to eliminate.

Increasingly well known and used, menstrual cups and panties are a real solution. More economical, they are also better for your health. The menstrual cup (or cup), made of medical grade silicone, is easy to use and highly effective. This periodic protection is invisible and can be used at any time, both during the day and at night. Menstrual panties are designed in several different thicknesses and fabrics to ensure maximum efficiency. It is put on in the morning and depending on your flow and can be used for long hours in a row. Switching to these ecological solutions has many advantages: economic, environmental, as well as related to your health. You will never again have allergies that can cause sanitary napkins. Odorless, the menstrual cup and panties will be your best allies during these difficult days.

4. Switch to bamboo cotton swabs or ear cleaners

The sale of plastic cotton swabs was banned by the European Union in January 2020. This is very good news, even if we are impatiently waiting for everyone to be exhausted stocks so that you can no longer access them. What can you replace with these cotton swabs, which we love to use not only for our ears, but also for our makeup? Several solutions exist. First of all, cotton swabs made of bamboo and organic biodegradable cotton. Packed in their compostable cardboard, your environmental impact will be almost non-existent with each use. For cleaning your ears, you can also opt for reusable ear cleaners. These metal, wood or bamboo rods will allow you to easily scrub your ears endlessly without ever producing waste. Easily washable, they will be durable and entirely ecological.

5. Make your detergent and fabric softener yourself

Doing laundry and fabric softener at home seems insurmountable for some. However, it is so easy to make these two products! The advantages of this choice are numerous and should be enough to convince you never to use industrial detergents again. With your homemade detergent and fabric softener, you will forever say goodbye to chemicals, endocrine disruptors and allergens that can irritate your skin and that of your children. Cleaning your line more gently, the clothing fibers will not be attacked and will not degrade. Also no more plastic cans, despite the fact that they are said to be recyclable. Welcome to zero-waste-practices for your bathroom! When it comes to the cost of making these two products, you will be surprised how economical this solution is! To find out more and to find our best tips and recipes for homemade detergent and fabric softener, it's here.

Receive your beauty treatments through the zero waste bathroom box

If you like this minimalist and natural approach and you want even more, you make your life easier, while keeping the zero waste approach? Test a zero waste bathroom box! Each month you will receive your favorite zero waste products that will be adapted to your requirements. Packaged in ecological, organic, vegan and Cruelty-Free packaging, you will quickly be won over. The great advantage of this solution is that you no longer have to worry about your toothpaste or your shampoo being finished, because your box will always arrive on time. In addition, you no longer have to wander through the cosmetics departments! The temptation of compulsive shopping is over! This solution is therefore 100% beneficial!

To conclude on your zero waste bathroom

To start, choose a few points presented above and make it part of your daily life little by little. Changing drastically overnight can be quickly demotivating and seem too difficult. There is therefore a risk that you will not go through with your approach. The easiest way is to start, for example, with a solid soap. Finish your shower gel and get your solid soap and solid shampoo. Then, try to do away with the plastic cotton swabs, the plastic toothbrush and so on. You will be surprised how easy it is! Good luck and keep us posted on your journey. See you soon :)