How to create a low waste bathroom

When it comes to our bathrooms, there are plenty of zero waste bathroom swaps we can make. There are more eco and sustainable bathroom accessories on offer than ever before. Here’s how you can create a low waste bathroom cabinet and make a difference.

THE PROBLEM WITH OUR BATHROOMS

As Brits, we’ve been getting the hang of recycling in the last decade or so. In fact, nine out of ten of us now recycle our kitchen waste. But, we haven’t got the hang of recycling from the bathroom. Four out of ten of us don’t recycle bathroom products. That’s a problem because we send around 30,000 tonnes of recyclable bathroom waste to landfill each year. We use 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds each year in England alone, 10% of which we flush down the loo.

And that’s not the only problem. Even if we were better as a nation at recycling our bathroom waste, not everything can be recycled. We’re all vaguely aware of ‘fatbergs’ and dread having them cause a backlog of sewage on our lawn, but did you know that fatbergs are only 5% fat and a staggering 93% baby wipes? We use over 10 billion wet wipes each year!

If we choose eco bathroom accessories, and know how to make the right choices, we can be ethical, sustainable and environmentally friendly in our bathroom.

CREATING A LOW WASTE BATHROOM CABINET

The trick is to consider zero waste bathroom swaps; stop buying disposable plastic items and start investing in long-lasting sustainable alternatives. Let’s look at the key items you need:

1. LOTIONS AND POTIONS

We think of the scourge of plastic bottles being due to disposable drinks bottles. But what about all the disposable shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and toothpaste bottles and tubes we send to the bin? What’s more, many of these don’t get recycled as they cannot easily be cleaned.

Key zero waste bathroom swaps include swapping plastic bottle shower gel and face wash for soap bars. Or choosing products with plastic free packaging such as the wonderful natural deodrants we are lucky to stock. 

2. GO REUSABLE

Recycling-friendly bathroom cabinet options are great. But where you can, go for reusable over the disposable wasteful counterparts.

REUSABLE MAKE-UP PADS

Instead of throwing away make-up wipes and cotton pads, choose reusable make-up pads. These are made from sustainable hemp and cotton, in three layers, making them perfect for a smooth hassle-free daily clean. Our wonderful pack is perfect for daily use. 

REUSABLE MUSLIN CLOTHS

Another of the key eco bathroom accessories you’ll need is some organic muslin cloths. These can replace wipes and non-sustainable flannels. We’re sure that you’ll actually prefer using these. They are lightweight, so wash and dry easily, and are made from organic cotton and bamboo making them very sustainable.

3. BIODEGRADABLE

Other zero waste bathroom swaps involve choosing biodegradable options. 

Going back to the big baddie – the cotton bud – we feel passionately about eliminating plastic cotton buds from use. There’s no need for them, and they either end up as plastic pollution in our oceans, or take centuries to decompose in landfill; neither is good.

Instead, choose bamboo cotton buds. They are biodegradable and plastic-free, made from sustainable bamboo.

LOVE YOUR LOW WASTE BATHROOM

When you become a low waste convert, it’s easy to feel the guilt every time you reach for a product that is heavily packaged or plastic-laden. By kitting out your bathroom with eco bathroom accessories, you’ll enjoy plenty of guilt-free pamper time.