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21 Zero Waste Bathroom Alternatives & Products

21 Zero Waste Bathroom Swaps & Essentials - Almost Zero Waste

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What are the most essential zero waste bathroom products and alternatives, and why it’s important to make the switch?

Many bathroom products contain a lot of plastic, which creates a lot of waste.

The list is huge. From shampoo bottles, tubs of moisturizer, and shaving razors to toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, etc.

That’s why I decided to create a list of zero waste bathroom essentials that will help you reduce your trash.

For each zero waste bathroom product, you can find information on where to purchase it.

Let’s begin!


21 Best Zero Waste Bathroom Products:


  1. Recycled toilet paper
  2. Zero waste shampoo and conditioner
  3. Eco-friendly soap
  4. Dry shampoo
  5. Plastic-free razor
  6. Bamboo toothbrush 
  7. Eco-friendly toothpaste 
  8. Zero waste dental floss 
  9. Tongue scraper 
  10. Zero waste deodorant 
  11. Eco-friendly makeup
  12. Natural perfume 
  13. Reusable cotton rounds 
  14. Organic cloth wipes 
  15. Menstrual cups 
  16. Eco-friendly ears swab 
  17. Bamboo hairbrush  
  18. Zero waste body moisturizer
  19. Skincare products  
  20. Zero waste cleaning products 
  21. Biodegradable toilet brush


Before diving into the list, I should point out that it’s best to support local businesses, purchase the products locally, or order from zero waste online stores.

If that’s not possible, you can purchase most of these products from Amazon.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each swap!

1. Recycled toilet paper

Toilet paper is something we use almost every day without fail. 

Most of us pick the cheapest brand on the shelf or go for whatever feels the most comfortable. 

However, if you’re serious about reducing waste, you should choose recycled toilet paper

Your butt may not notice the difference, but the trees certainly will.

Did you know the US consumes the highest amount of toilet paper rolls worldwide and at the cost of deforesting millions of acres annually!? Yikes. 

This infographic below gives you an idea of just how much toilet paper waste we contribute to the environment: 

zero waste bathroom
(scroll till the end to see the full infographic!)

I recommend using some of these brands – Who Gives a Crap, Tushy TP (or their bidet!), or Scott Essential. You can choose between recycled or tree-free toilet paper, made of bamboo.

Check my article on 18 plastic-free & eco-friendly toilet paper options or my review on Who Gives A Crap TP.

If you prefer to try something a little different, you can also consider bidet or reusable cloths to wash & reuse. These two options will reduce your toilet paper usage by a lot!

2. Zero waste shampoo and conditioner

zero waste bathroom products

To reduce the amount of waste, I would recommend using shampoo and conditioner bars, or liquid refillable ones, in sustainable packaging. 

You can look at zero waste online stores to find sustainable shampoo and conditioner bars, or check my article with 21 of the best eco-friendly shampoo & conditioner bars.

If you prefer to use liquid shampoo and conditioner, try out Plaine Products, or take a reusable container to your nearest bulk store.

3. Eco-friendly soap 

zero waste bathroom products

If you’re going to invest in shampoo and conditioner bars, you might as well complete the set with an eco-friendly soap bar.

Ethique, HiBar face wash, Doana skin care, and UpCycle are all great options. 

Their soap bars are made from biodegradable wrappers and sustainable ingredients. 

4. Dry shampoo

zero waste bathroom products

Dry shampoos can come in handy when we need clean hair ASAP. But, the conventional ones aren’t good for you or the environment.

That’s why you can make your DIY dry shampoo with just 2 (or 3) ingredients! It is super duper simple. 

Mix equal amounts of arrowroot powder (or corn starch), cocoa powder (for brown hair), and clay. 

For more details, check my DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe + video here.

5. Plastic-free razor

zero waste bathroom products

The amount of plastic wasted on disposable razors will shock you. 

To help reduce the number of razors in landfills, you can try metal safety razors like Jungle Culture, Rockwell, or Albatross.

These products last much longer than those single-use plastic razors. 

The only thing you need to change is the razor blade, with is super cheap and lasts many shaves. 

6. Bamboo toothbrush

zero waste bathroom products

Keep your teeth white and fresh without using a plastic toothbrush!

Nowadays, you can buy bamboo toothbrushes from brands like Isshah, Leafico, or check local stores. 

(Just remember to remove the bristles before you recycle the toothbrush as they are not compostable.)

Prefer something more long-lasting? Try the sturdy aluminum brushes from The Goodwill Company.

7. Eco-friendly toothpaste

zero waste bathroom products

You can buy or make a DIY toothpaste with baking soda, coconut oil, and peppermint essential oil. 

I tried the homemade one, but I prefer to buy zero waste tooth tablets or to use a DIY toothpowder

Some excellent eco-friendly toothpaste products are:

8. Zero waste dental floss

zero waste bathroom products

You wouldn’t believe how many zero waste flossing products you can purchase nowadays. 

If you floss every day (as we certainly should), many brands offer plastic-free alternatives, such as:

In addition, the packaging is all recyclable or compostable. 

9. Tongue scraper 

zero waste bathroom products
Image from Zero Waste Store

The final oral care product I can suggest is a tongue scraper.

They are great for freshening your breath while fighting bacteria and even enhancing your sense of taste. 

They are usually made of stainless steel and very easy to clean. 

You can find eco-friendly tongue scrapers here: 

10. Zero waste deodorant 

zero waste bathroom products

Using a zero waste deodorant will help you reduce deodorant stick waste and avoid brands with harmful skin irritants.

If you want to use a zero waste deodorant that comes in a biodegradable container and is made of organic essential oils, I recommend brands such as:

Or you can also make it yourself and follow my guide for DIY zero waste deodorant.

11. Eco-friendly makeup

zero waste bathroom products

Traditional makeup packages are notoriously difficult to recycle and typically contain harsh irritants for your skin. So why not switch to zero waste makeup? 

The industry has recently seen a surge in popularity, and the products are generally of better quality and free from animal testing. 

For instance, Elate Cosmetics or River Organics offer everything you might need – eyeliners, eyeshadows, mascara, lipstick, foundation, etc.

12. Natural perfume

zero waste bathroom products
Image from dirtyhippiecosmetics

Conventional perfumes may include respiratory or hormone disruptors harmful to you and can build up in your body over time.

If you want to keep using perfumes, you can get some that are not harmful to you.

Check some of these brands that offer natural and safe perfumes:

Additionally, you can DIY a liquid or solid perfume by diluting and combining a couple of high-quality therapeutic-grade essential oils. 

13. Reusable cotton rounds

zero waste bathroom products
Image from Earth Hero

Reusable cotton facial rounds are another great, sustainable, easy-to-find bathroom product. 

Use them to remove makeup or apply facial cleansers, and simply wash! 

You can find brands that sell these here:

14. Organic cloth wipes

zero waste bathroom products

Instead of relying on tissues to blow your nose, invest in reusable organic cotton cloth. You may not even need to buy anything, as many of us have plenty of washable cloths around the house.

15. Menstrual cups or panties

zero waste bathroom products

Most tampons and menstrual pads are terrible for the environment. They are not biodegradable and add to the list of products in landfills. 

Instead, I highly recommend menstrual cups. They’re reusable, washable, and require fewer changes than the average tampon and pad. 

A few cool brands for beginners are OrganiCup (now called AllMatters) and Saalt Cup, and if your period is heavier, I recommend getting one of these options.

Menstrual cups may seem scary, but I promise you – it isn’t! 

You can find all the answers to questions you might be wondering about in my article

Take it a step further by investing in reusable organic pads or period panties, which are washable, to wear on your “light” days. 

16. Eco-friendly ears swab

zero waste bathroom products

Most of us grew up using q-tips regularly, but the good news is that there are sustainable alternatives for these, too! 

The Oriculi earbud, for example, is washable, reusable, and made from bamboo. 

17. Bamboo hairbrush

zero waste bathroom products

In case you need a new hairbrush or your old one breaks – switch to a new one made from bamboo! 

Wooden hairbrushes are much better for your hair since the plastic ones cause your hair to break more. 

The wooden bristle brushes are smooth, and your hair will slide over them, so they won’t break your hair. 

You can check this wooden comb and hair brush.

18. Zero waste body moisturizer 

zero waste bathroom products

Plenty of zero waste moisturizers will keep your skin looking fresh and hydrated at all times. 

Some of my favorite cruelty-free moisturizers include Loli Face Oil or Ethique

Alternatively, you could make a DIY moisturizer using coconut and essential oils or look for local eco-friendly brands.

19. Skincare products 

zero waste bathroom products
Picture from Eco Roots

There are plenty of sustainable & zero waste skincare options – from make-up removal to moisturizers, soaps, oils, etc.

A couple of cool ones that I found are:

For many more options, check Earth Hero or Eco Roots

20. Zero waste cleaning products 

zero waste bathroom products

Stay on top of your bathroom’s cleanliness and swap out those toxic chemical cleaners for safer, eco-friendly bathroom cleaning products. 

Brands such as Earthy Edith, Meliora, and Bestowed Essentials have all-purpose cleaners made of plant-based ingredients and refillable or plastic-free packaging.

You could also make your bathroom cleaning products with baking soda, apple cider vinegar, essential oil, or other DIY combinations.

21. Biodegradable toilet brush 

zero waste bathroom products

Last but not least, there’s one more item you’d probably never think of but definitely use! 

When the moment arises that you need to replace your old toilet brush, why not consider a biodegradable alternative? 

This all-natural toiler brush is made with a natural coconut fiber and rubber wood handle. 

It also looks much nicer in the bathroom than a dull plastic brush!

FAQ:

How can I avoid using plastic in my bathroom?

To help limit the amount of plastic you use in the bathroom, slowly ditch the unsustainable plastic products and switch to more eco-friendly ones. 

That doesn’t mean you have to throw away everything you currently have. First, use it all up, then switch to the more sustainable alternatives.

Are there other ways to be more sustainable in the bathroom?

There are many ways to be more sustainable in your bathroom. For example, you can try to reduce your water consumption by:

  • Take shorter showers. 
  • Turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth. 
  • Switching to a low-flow showerhead can save up water. 
  • Line drying your clothes.
  • Check your toilet regularly for leaks.
  • Avoid flushing away cigarette butts or other non-biodegradable waste. 
  • Cutting down toilet paper usage by installing a bidet. 
  • Purchase “zero waste bathroom products” only if you truly need them.

What are some zero waste tips on a budget?

Even if you’re short on cash, there are plenty of ways to live an almost zero waste lifestyle without spending much money. 

  • Repurpose things. Instead of buying fancy reusable cotton rounds – cut an old towel or cotton t-shirt in small squares. 
  • Refuse small single-use samples. 
  • DIY easy things like toothpaste, face masks, lip balm, facial cleanser, cleaning products, etc.

Sum up

Now that I’ve given you the rundown of my favorite zero waste bathroom products, I’m sure I’ve missed some items.

Do you have any suggestions on how to reduce your waste when it comes to bathroom essentials and products? 

Let me know in the comments section below!


How toilet paper affects the environment (Infographic by Tushy):

 Zero Waste Bathroom

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