We often look to the kitchen and our wardrobes as the most important places to be more sustainable. But there is one room that we use countless times a day that can also make a big impact: the bathroom.
The bathroom doesn’t usually set off alarm bells as a beacon of sustainability; after all, it’s filled with plastic deodorant and toothpaste tubes, body wash, and shampoo bottles. But behind the frosted glass and mirrored cabinets lies one of the most promising frontiers for climate-conscious change. From water usage to packaging to microplastics flushed into waterways, the average bathroom routine has a larger environmental footprint than many realize. But a new wave of brands, designers, and consumers is reimagining the space not just as a place for personal care, but as a ground zero for sustainable living.
The amount of plastic bottles used for body wash, shampoo, and conditioner (not to mention the extras like body creams) is significant. According to Johnson & Johnson, more than 550 million shampoo bottles end up in landfills in the U.S. every year.
Whether bigger projects like making your bathroom more energy and water-efficient via a remodel to smaller things like switching up your toothpaste to tabs or moving to reusable makeup pads — all of these choices have a net positive impact.
Making your bathroom more eco-friendly
The bathroom is typically the smallest room in the house, but it can contain more items than most other rooms in your home. From all of the bottles of skincare and body care products to the towels and toilet paper to the tweezers and cotton balls, we pack a lot into these little rooms.
One of the biggest sources of waste in the bathroom is plastic. Toothbrushes only last up to 3 months and then need to be replaced; small plastic toothpicks and even the tubes aren’t biodegradable and contribute to the global plastic waste issue. Floss comes in plastic, so does most everything else.
But there are options to help replace all of these items. A bamboo toothbrush, switching to toothpaste tablets, and investing in a reusable or biodegradable set of toothpicks also helps. If toothpaste tabs aren’t your thing, look for organic-certified toothpaste in biodegradable/recyclable tubs. Solid bar shampoo and conditioner options replace the plastic bottles while still giving your hair the clean and conditioning you expect.
DIY
DIY doesn’t have to be labor-intensive. Did you know you can reuse your coffee grinds as a body scrub by mixing them in with some oil of your choice? And if smelling like coffee isn’t your idea of a good day — you can use them on plants to help fend off pests.
(As a side note, many solid shampoos and other products don’t have artificial additives like silicone, and the first use can leave you without that silk post-wash feeling. But it is actually a good thing! Try a few different options until you find the one that works for you.)
Switch to eco cleaning products
We tend to use a lot of harsh chemicals to get rid of smells and give bathrooms a good clean. However, a lot of the chemicals in cheaper or standard bathroom cleaners are also very harsh for your health and the planet. Not only do they hang around in the bathroom being breathed in and touched, but they ultimately end up in our water system.
Or almost every cleaning issue in the bathroom, vinegar and baking soda will work perfectly. There are also a few options for gentle organic cleaning in the bathroom; check out: Cleancult, Mrs. Meyers, or Method.
Most of the time, we only need a single cleaning formula for the bathroom and kitchen, so you don’t need to buy as much. They are marketed as one or the other, but they have the same ingredients, just different synthetic scents.
Switch to natural deodorant
While sprays are convenient and only take a few seconds to apply, they aren’t great for the environment and you don’t want to be breathing them in, either. Roll-ons are an alternative, but eventually, you’re left with even more plastic.
Many people are now choosing to purchase a reusable container, typically metal, and buy inserts. Natural deodorant ingredients tend to be baking soda, shea butter, arrowroot powder, vitamin E, and coconut oil. These ingredients are more nourishing and help to keep you dry throughout the day. Some brands will have natural essential oils in them, too.
There are also several options that can be used as a deodorant, including witch hazel and apple cider vinegar. You can also make your own from home if you don’t want to buy anything new.
Embrace reusables
For those who wear makeup or have periods, there are a lot of reusable items that can help reduce waste. Reusable cloth pads are great for skincare and makeup removal. Usually coming in a handy bag so they don’t get lost in the washing machine, or if you want to soak them in water and give them a good scrunch.
Reusable period pads, period underwear, and period cups are great alternatives to using tampons and standard pads. They reduce your general waste and can be kept for years with good care. There are also organic options when it comes to period care, so you can find something that fits with your goals and your body.
Water waste management
If you have your bathroom remodeled or renovated you’re a lot less likely to have leaks. But leaks are one of the first things to check for. After that to reduce water use, start using a timer for showers, limit bath usage or cut it out completely, and consider putting a block or water bottle in the tank of the toilet.
Some people also employ a flushing rule, but that depends on how many people are in your home and if it is possible to only flush solid waste.
Switch up your paper products
Whether or not you’re already a card-carrying member of the bidet club, it is one way to make better use of your toilet paper. But be sure you are also paying attention to your toilet paper choices. Mainstream toilet paper brands are leading contributors to deforestation, and there’s no reason for it when there are options made from bamboo and post-consumer paper. The same goes for your facial tissue — opt for regenerative or recycled materials over virgin paper products.
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