Zero Waste Bathroom essentials and tips on how to create less trash in your daily routine.

Just imagine: it’s trash day. Your compost and recyclables are already on the curb. You go to your bathroom to take out the trash, but the bin is empty.

 

 

How?

You’ve finally transformed your bathroom into a zero-waste haven.

There are no plastic shampoo bottles. No chemical cleaners. No disposable razors. Just natural, compostable, or biodegradable products.

Put it this way: You’ve invested in taking better care of yourself and the planet.

And it can all start with your bathroom.

That’s right, I’ll let you in on the secrets to building a zero waste bathroom. One step closer to living completely waste-free.

But first, let’s put things in context.

Why do we need to cut down on plastic use?

 

 

3 Unbelievable Facts about Plastic Pollution

1. More than 60% of seabirds and 100% of sea turtles have eaten plastic.
2. Only 9% of plastic in the world has been recycled.
3. A study discovered microscopic plastics in tap water, beer, and salt.

Let me explain. Plastics that don’t get recycled correctly end up in the oceans. Even plastics in landfills sometimes pollute underground water sources.

You’ve heard it a million times: plastics never really break down. They just turn into microscopic pieces.

Believe it or not, you’ve probably eaten or drank plastic without even knowing it.

There’s no way to check if that fish you had for lunch contained plastic, but sadly, it’s very likely.

Here’s the kicker.

Most of this plastic waste comes from single-use plastics like water bottles, plastic bags, wet wipes, and even cotton swabs.

When you throw in bathroom plastic waste products like lotion bottles and toothbrushes, it’s a nightmare.

So stick with me here. You can help change the plastic story. You can be part of the green revolution that tackles pollution.

And the best part? You can start at home.

 

How a Zero Waste Bathroom Helps the Planet

 

 

News flash: Our bathrooms are full of plastics. From hair conditioner bottles to toothbrushes, plastic feels inescapable. But there are so many alternatives available.

That’s where EcoRoots come in. I present you with plastic-free zero waste bathroom products to help you reach your personal green goals.

Yes, it’s true!

Whether you want to live plastic-free within a year or use all-natural products starting tomorrow, you’ve come to the right place.

I’ve put together a how-to guide to reducing bathroom waste.

I’ll walk you through shower-, hygiene-, and self-care products to help you create a zero waste bathroom.

Let’s get started.

 

Zero Waste Shower

 

 

A study found that making liquid soaps uses up to five times more energy than making soap bars.

Bottom line?

Soap bars are more sustainable than liquid bars. That means it’s time to ditch plastic-bottled soaps and shampoos!

To start off our guide, I’ll offer you waste-free alternatives to conventional shower products like body wash and shampoo.

It’s also important to note that our items are truly waste-free because we never use plastic packaging.

 

1. Vegan Body Wash

 

 

Our vegan body wash is the perfect item to start with. Once you’ve run out of your current soap or body wash, try our revitalizing soap infused with peppermint and grapefruit. Other organic ingredients include olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, and castor seed oil.

If you’re looking for a multipurpose product, try our Neem soap for body and hair. This soap features tea tree and neem tree oil for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

I recommend this bar if you experience itchy skin conditions like dandruff or eczema.

 

2. Shampoo/Conditioner Bars

 

 

If you’ve never used a solid shampoo or conditioner bar, don’t panic. They’re just as good as their liquid cousins at cleaning your hair. And they’re easy to use.

First, wet bar and massage it directly into your hair. This will make a foam that you then use like regular shampoo. Rinse, and repeat with conditioner bar. The only difference with the conditioner bar is to start at the ends of your hair and work your way up.

I admit you might need a few days to get used to shampoo and conditioner bars.

It took me a few washes too, but don’t worry. You’ll figure out how much lather you need in no time. Just remember to let the bar dry until your next wash.

Easy, right?

We offer 12 different shampoo, conditioner, and shampoo-body wash bars.

They’re all organic, natural, and plastic-free.

We start with a coconut oil and cocoa butter base. Then we add ingredients like dried flower powder and essential oils and extracts.

Sounds too good to be true?

Well, check out our Moroccan oil shampoo bar, as an example.

 

 

It’s engineered with lemon juice, lemon peel powder, coconut-, Moroccan-, jojoba-, and raspberry seed oil, clay powder, vitamin B, and cocoa butter.

Coconut oil keeps your hair soft and hydrated while Moroccan oil helps repair damage. I almost forgot to mention that and all our shampoo bars last between 50-75 washes!

If you try out any of our conditioner bars, I’ll tell you in advance that our conditioners don’t foam up like liquid ones do. Let me explain. Regular conditioners use ingredients called sulphates that make foam.

What’s the catch? Sulphates actually wash away natural oils and irritate skin. Yikes!

They also hurt marine animals when they go down your drain and into the ocean. This just shows how toxic they are, so maybe turning to safer alternatives is looking like a great idea now, right?

Good thing you’re making the switch to our biodegradable and plastic free shampoo today. 

Let’s move on to facial soap.

 

3. Zero Waste Facial Soap

 

 

Our rose petal and shea butter clay facial soap bar helps nourish your skin with safe ingredients. Pink kaolin clay cleanses skin for a refreshing feel. To top it off, soothing ingredients like rosehips and mango butter help tackle symptoms of aging skin.

We also offer bamboo charcoal and tea tree oil soap if you’re looking for a deeper clean. Charcoal and bentonite clay scrub away impurities and polish your skin.

However, this soap bar isn’t drying like most deep cleansers. On the contrary, organic virgin hemp seed oil moisturizes your skin. If you have acne, consider this product because it contains tea tree oil--an effective weapon against those pesky bumps.

So we’ve covered shampoos, soaps, and facial washes.

What about shaving materials?

 

4. Safety Razor 

 

 

Did you know we throw away over seven billion disposable razors yearly?

It doesn’t have to be this way.

I know we naturally seek convenience in our day-to-day, but plastic products shouldn’t be the default option.

EcoRoots’ safety razor combines sustainability and style in a rose gold safety razor.

We also include five stainless steel blades free just for you, but our replacement packs come with ten.

Safety razors may seem dangerous at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will find it easy and convenient.

Here’s a tip: Our safety razors last longer when wiped down after each use and stowed somewhere dry.

They also work best when used with shaving soap.

 

5. Shaving Soap 

 

 

Our vegan shaving soap combines moisturizing ingredients like coconut and avocado oil for smooth skin.

Essential oils lemon, lime, and lavender create an irresistible, calming scent. For easier handling, it’s molded in a circular shape with a 2 ⅜ inch diameter, weighing 93 grams total.

Simply wet the bar and lather, coating your skin. Use our safety razor to shave. Rinse off skin and razor with warm water. Check out our zero waste shaving kit.

Again, don’t forget to wipe excess water off the razor and store it somewhere dry.

But you’re probably wondering, how do I travel with a bar of soap without using a plastic bag?

The answer? Soap bags!

 

6. Soap Saver Bag

 

 

A soap bag keeps every bit of bar accounted for so you don’t waste a single piece.

Our vegan soap saver bag is made out of an agave cactus plant material called sisal. This means it’s completely compostable and zero-waste. A great addition to your zero waste bathroom.

Note: rinse the bag and hang it up after every wash.

 

7. Bamboo Soap Dish

 

 

At home, you can leave your soap on a handmade, durable bamboo soap dish.

To keep you on track to achieving a zero-waste bathroom, consider our bamboo soap dish. It’s 100% compostable and biodegradable.

Its grooved bottom design helps store soap more securely and lets water escape. Additionally, bamboo is naturally antibacterial and extremely long-lasting. Just wash with soap and water regularly to extend its life.

At this point, we’ve eliminated plastic shower products in your bathroom.

This is the part where we move onto zero waste self-care products.

 

Zero Waste Hygiene

 

 

1. Bamboo Toothbrush

 

 

In the United States alone, we throw away the equivalent of 50 million pounds in toothbrushes a year.

Now that’s a huge problem.

Switching to wooden and plant-based toothbrushes like our bamboo toothbrush will make a significant impact. Dentists advise replacing toothbrushes every three months. Good thing our bamboo toothbrush comes in a 4-pack. You’re set for the next year.

You’ll be happy to discover that the bristles are non-toxic and BPA-free. More importantly, the bamboo handle is made of sustainable and biodegradable bamboo.

You’ll also avoid plastic packaging by switching to our plastic-free packaging bamboo brushes. Another win for the planet.

2. Zero Waste Floss

 

 

In addition to waste-free toothbrushes, we highly recommend switching to bamboo fiber dental floss.

Tea tree oil and organic peppermint oil work together to keep your gums clean and healthy.

The bamboo floss itself comes in a reusable glass container and a recyclable metal lid. The floss biodegrades within three months.

For the record, silk floss is also a valid alternative, but not completely vegan.

3. Zero Waste Toothpaste

 

 

When it comes to zero waste toothpaste, the choices are almost overwhelming. There are charcoal toothpastes. Tablet toothpastes. Powder.

To save you from choice paralysis, listen to me. Try out David’s Premium Natural Toothpaste.

It’s made in the USA from clean ingredients like spearmint leaf oil, baking soda, and purified water.

How does it fare on plastic-free packaging? The toothpaste tube is completely recyclable, and it comes in paper cartons that’s made from renewable wind energy.

It gets an A+ from us!

Now, this next product is strictly ladies-only.

4. Menstrual Cup

 

 

If you haven’t heard of them before, let me introduce you to menstrual cups.

Menstrual cups are flexible silicone cups that collect menstrual blood in the vagina. You can wear them for up to 12 hours, which is extremely convenient.

Beyond that, they help reduce bathroom waste by replacing tampons, pads, and pantiliners.

LenaCup is a great option. Their cups are made of medical-grade silicone, free of BPA and latex.

They come in two different sizes (small and large) and are approved for both day and nighttime use.

I’ve heard from countless friends and users that this product is just as good (if not better!) than tampons and pads. They’re less messy, save you money, and are eco-friendly.

It takes a pad or tampon 500 years to degrade. That’s 500 years for each pad or tampon.

LenaCup estimates that menstrual cup users have eliminated over 369 million period products.

Their product comes in a cotton bag and sustainably-grown recyclable carton.

They placed directions right inside the packaging so is very easy to follow them for having an easy experience.

Lena cup is the best menstrual cup on the market for beginners!

You might need a little more time to contemplate menstrual cups, but you know what’s easy?

Switching to sustainable toilet paper.

5. Sustainable Toilet Paper

Who doesn’t love a company that combines a great product with a worthy cause?

Who gives a crap offers customers environmentally-friendly toilet paper and a chance to make a difference.

They donate 50% of their profits to help build toilets in places all around the world. They also donate to nonprofits who help set up and improve sanitation systems.

Choose from either sustainable bamboo or recycled toilet paper in different-sized packs. Both are extremely soft thanks to their 3-ply design.

You can also try out their facial tissues or paper towels. They’re consciously crafted from bamboo and sugarcane, respectively.

All of their products come wrapped in cute, fun-colored (but of course sustainably-sourced paper) packaging!

Most people think going green means sacrificing convenience, but it’s the complete opposite.

Put it this way: you’re re-evaluating your relationship with plastic products and deciding that you want to treat your body and our planet better.

A zero waste bathroom doesn’t mean you’ll live like it’s the 1600s, roughing it out with just the bare necessities.

Get this: I’ve included a whole section dedicated to zero waste self care. When you’ve dedicated to a zero waste lifestyle, you deserve to pamper yourself guilt-free with eco-conscious products.

 

Zero Waste Self Care

 

1. Reusable Facial Rounds

 

 

Our reusable organic cotton rounds are versatile. They can be used as makeup removers or cream/oil applicators.

 

 

They’re made of Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic and compostable cotton-bamboo blend. The package is recyclable, and the product contains zero plastic.

 

2. Zero Waste Yayforearth Face Lotion & Aloe Vera Cream

 

 

Have you searched far and wide for a facial lotion that makes your skin glow without using chemicals?

Well, you’re in luck.

Yayforearth is a zero waste face lotion featuring olive oil, beeswax, shea butter, and pomegranate seed oil.

It’s a multifunctional face lotion that improves skin elasticity,  fights aging, and moisturizes without being greasy.

We also love this Aloe Vera Cream made organically with plant-based and botanical ingredients by Fat And The Moon. High in vitamins A, E & D, this fantastic zero waste cream is great for pre/post-sun exposure.

3. Zero Waste Face Oil

 

 

To start or end your day right, check out our vitamin E-infused zero waste face oil.

Hydrate your skin with a combination of essential oils and plant-based ingredients.

Fulfilling our zero-waste promise, we ensure that the glass container is reusable, while the pump is recyclable.

4. Zero Waste Body Oil

 

 

Spoil your senses with our lavender body oil. Lavender eases the mind, while lemongrass softens the skin.

I would recommend using this oil after a shave or hot shower to maximize absorption. Alternatively, elevate your bath to relaxation heaven with just a few drops.

 

5. Biodegradable Deodorant

 

 

Last but not least, switch out your plastic-packaged deodorant with our biodegradable coconut stick.

I love the lemongrass and tea tree stick, but there’s a natural scent option if you’re sensitive to even natural fragrances.

This deodorant is formulated with cornstarch to absorb sweat and baking soda to repel bacteria.

To use, press the deodorant onto your skin. This will soften the material and make sure it goes on evenly.

I stand by this product not just because it works but also because the cardboard tube is compostable or recyclable.

By now you’ve become an expert at recognizing an all-star zero waste bathroom product when you see it. No plastic, biodegradable/compostable materials, natural ingredients, and user-friendly design.

 

 

These ideas are just the starting point to get the ball rolling. We’ve covered quite a few areas for a zero waste bathroom, but our work as environmentalists is never over.

Let us know how this guide helped you start on your zero waste bathroom journey.

Show us your progress and tag us on Instagram.

We look forward to connecting with you!