Reducing household waste is a worthy goal, and the bathroom is often the trickiest room to tackle. The extra step of carrying recyclables and compostables downstairs can feel like a major hurdle, and it’s one many families will recognize.
A good first step is making sure each bathroom has its own recycling and compost bin. Eventually the garbage can might disappear altogether, but this is a solid place to start.
From there, the focus shifts to transforming bathroom routines into ones that are completely waste free. Here are some ways to get started:
- Replace plastic bathroom tools, like toothbrushes and nail scrubs, with wooden or bamboo ones with natural bristles. There is even a q-tip on the market with a wooden stick, and compostable floss that comes on a reusable spool
- Invest in razors with replaceable blades
- Choose toilet paper made from recyclable materials, made without bleach and wrapped in paper instead of plastic. This one can be harder than expected. Some dedicated waste free bloggers recommend bringing back the bidet, which is definitely worth pondering for those ready to take the leap
- Try homemade toothpaste. The recipe is easy: baking soda, coconut oil and a few drops of peppermint or tea tree essential oil. Since coconut oil can be tough on drains, spit into a bowl and tip it into the compost bin
- Buy soap and shampoo in bar form without packaging
- Make your own shaving cream. The recipe is simple and flexible: equal parts coconut oil, shea butter and olive oil, plus a few drops of your favourite essential oils
- Break free from commercial cleaners. Vinegar, tea tree oil and castile soap all work really well, or look for bulk cleaning supplies. Use rags instead of paper towels
Suddenly a waste free bathroom doesn’t seem so formidable. With some planning, a few shifts in behaviour and a return to making some basic supplies, a waste free bathroom is well within reach.
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