19 Plastic-Free Bathroom Swaps For a Zero Waste Bathroom
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Making your bathroom more sustainable is easier than you may think!
By just doing a few easy swaps and switches, you’ll be able to avoid lots of plastic waste and also simplify and reduce the products you use & need.
In this article, I’ll give you a list a list of zero waste bathroom essentials that will help you reduce your waste and make your bathroom more eco-friendly.
Let’s jump right in!
19 Best Zero Waste Bathroom Products:
1. Recycled toilet paper
Why switch? Traditional toilet paper contributes to deforestation and uses excessive water and energy during production.
Better option: Choose bamboo or recycled toilet paper, like Who Gives A Crap (US / UK / Europe / Australia). It’s tree-free, soft, and comes in plastic-free packaging.
👉 Want more options? Check out my full guide with 18 Eco-Friendly & Plastic-Free Toilet Paper Options
2. Plastic-free shampoo & conditioner
Why switch? Most soaps are packed with synthetic fragrances and wrapped in plastic.
Better option: Try palm oil-free, natural, plastic-free shampoo bars. Great for your skin, and the planet. Here’s a list of 21 eco-friendly shampoo options.
3. Eco-friendly soap
Why switch? Most conventional soaps are packed in plastic and often contain palm oil, synthetic fragrances, or harsh chemicals.
Better option: Try palm oil-free soap bars made with natural, sustainably sourced ingredients. Great brands include Ethique, HiBar face wash, Doana skin care, and UpCycle – all come in plastic-free packaging and are gentle on your skin and the environment.
4. Dry shampoo
Why switch? Conventional dry shampoos often contain butane and other harmful aerosols.
Better option: Make your own with just arrowroot powder, cocoa powder (for dark hair), and bentonite clay. It’s incredibly simple and works much better. Here’s my DIY dry shampoo guide.
5. Plastic-free razor
Why switch? Disposable razors = 2 billion in landfills every year.
Better option: Use a metal safety razor from brands like Jungle Culture, Rockwell, or Albatross. Only the blade gets replaced, making it cost-effective and waste-free.
6. Bamboo toothbrush
Why switch? Plastic toothbrushes take over 400 years to decompose.
Better option: Swap to a bamboo toothbrush (like Isshah or Leafico) or a metal handle toothbrush, like the one from Suri (I own one), for a longer-lasting upgrade.
7. Eco-friendly toothpaste
Why switch? Toothpaste tubes are nearly impossible to recycle.
Better option: Try tooth tablets, toothpowder, or even make your own using baking soda, coconut oil, and peppermint oil.
Top plastic-free toothpaste brands:
- Georganics – toothpaste, tooth tablets, or tooth powder
- Davids Toothpaste – spearmint or peppermint toothpaste
- Weldental Chewtabs
- Nelson Naturals Fluoride Free Toothpaste
- Good Organics Tooth Tabs
🦷 Prefer DIY? I’ve got you covered: Make Your DIY Toothpaste OR DIY Toothpowder.
8. Zero waste dental floss
Why switch? Conventional floss is plastic-based and often coated with toxic chemicals.
Better option: Use silk or corn-based floss in refillable glass containers. Try brands like:
9. Tongue scraper
Why switch? This thing changed my life for the better. 😀 It’s an amazing way to keep your breath fresh, fight bacteria, and enhance your sense of taste.
Better option: Go for copper or stainless steel scrapers from The Humble Co or MasterMedi. Durable, effective, and endlessly reusable.
10. Zero waste deodorant
Why switch? Many store-bought deodorants contain aluminum, parabens, and synthetic fragrances.
Better option: Choose deodorant in compostable tubes from Ben & Anna, or Ethique, or make your own! I’ve shared 4 DIY deodorant recipes here.
11. Eco-friendly makeup
Why switch? Mainstream makeup is often full of harsh chemicals and comes in non-recyclable packaging.
Better option: Try clean, sustainable brands like Elate Cosmetics or River Organics – they offer refillable, cruelty-free, and low-waste makeup options for every need.
12. Natural perfume
Why switch? Synthetic perfumes can contain hormone disruptors and respiratory irritants.
Better option: Choose clean fragrances from Lush, or small-batch Etsy makers like Robin Creations. Or DIY a liquid or solid perfume, using essential oils.
13. Reusable cotton rounds
Why switch? Single-use cotton pads = wasteful and water-intensive to produce.
Better option: Opt for reusable facial rounds from brands like Greenzla or LastRound -just toss them in the wash and reuse for years.
14. Menstrual cups or panties
Why switch? Disposable pads and tampons are landfill nightmares.
Better option: Use a menstrual cup, reusable organic pads, or period panties. They’re comfortable, safe, and save hundreds of dollars over time.
Not sure how to get started? Grab my FREE e-book:
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15. Eco-friendly ear swabs
Why switch? Traditional Q-tips are single-use and rarely recycled.
Better option: Reusable swabs like Oriculi or silicone LastSwab options are washable and long-lasting.
16. Bamboo hairbrush
Why switch? Plastic brushes can tug and break your hair.
Better option: Use a wooden bristle hairbrush or hair brush – they’re gentler on the scalp and more eco-friendly. Look for bamboo or sustainably sourced wood.
17. Zero waste body moisturizer
Why switch? Most body lotions come in plastic bottles and contain synthetic ingredients.
Better option: Try brands like Loli Beauty or Ethique for refillable or solid moisturizers. Or make your own using shea butter and natural oils – here’s my DIY body butter recipe.
18. Skincare products
Why switch? Skin is your body’s largest organ. We gotta treat it kindly.
Better option: Use clean, zero waste skincare brands like:
- Mad Hippie Antioxidant Oil
- Ethique Solid Face Cream
- Farmstead Apothecary Cream
- Loli Organic Face Oil
19. Zero-waste cleaning products
Why switch? Bathroom sprays and scrubs are often packed in plastic and loaded with chemicals.
Better option: Choose eco brands like Earthy Edith, Meliora, or Bestowed Essentials, or make your cleaner using baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils.
Final thoughts
These zero waste bathroom alternatives aren’t just better for the planet. They’re also better for your health, your wallet, and your peace of mind.
The best part? You don’t need to replace everything at once. Swap out items as they run out and explore what works for you.
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