Sustain-a-ville

If the kitchen is the room in our home where we use the most plastic, the bathroom is definitely second. I’m talking shampoos, lotions, toothpaste, galore. The most common way all of these items are packaged is in plastic. So what can we do about it? Well, here’s a list of 8 substitutions we can make to remove plastic from this room in our home.

1. Opt for plastic-free toilet paper
   • Not only does most toilet paper come wrapped in plastic but it’s also usually made by cutting down trees. My favorite plastic-free toilet paper is by Who Gives A Crap. It elminates plastic packaging in favor of paper (easier to recycle) and they offer either a recycled paper option (no extra trees harmed) or a bamboo paper (grows much more quickly than trees). If you can’t find it in a store near you, they deliver via carbon neutral shipping!
2. Choose toothpaste tablets over gel
   • The only packaging I have ever known toothpaste to come in before I started my sustainability journey was a plastic tube. But after a little research, I learned that there are companies out there that make tablets, too. You just pop one in your mouth, chew it up, wet your toothbrush, and start brushing! We buy ours from our local Good Fill store where we can bring our own container but you can also buy them online. The most popular brand is called Bite and they offer all kinds of different options.
3. Go for a bamboo toothbrush
   • Another oral hygiene recommendation is to swap that plastic toothbrush for one made out of bamboo. As I said about toilet paper, bamboo is a popular sustainable material because it can be made into paper and wood-like materials but grows much faster than trees. And then when your bamboo toothbrush is at the end of it’s life, you can throw it in the compost! We also buy these from the Good Fill store but you can also purchase them from Bite and I’m sure many other places.
4. Switch to a metal razor
   • Who else is guilty of buying probably hundreds of pink plastic razors in their lifetime? I know I’m not alone. Not only are these made of plastic that can’t be recycled but they also usually come inside even more plastic packaging. I recently switched to an Albatross Safety Razor. The razor itself should last an entire lifetime as it’s made out of metal. If/when it does need to be disposed of, it can be recycled. It also comes with razor blade replacements so when the blade becomes dull and needs to be replaced, you just take it out and put a new one in. And since the blades are also made of metal, they can be recycled, too. In the long run, this is a switch that will definitely save money – the replacement blades only cost $4 for a pack of 10.
5. Swap out your shampoo for a shampoo bar or get it a a refill store
   • Shampoo bars have really picked up steam in the sustainability world and are a great option for eliminating waste from your shower. The most popular brand I have seen is called Dip and can be purchased online or at the refill store. I’ve personally not tried a shampoo bar but many people absolutely love them and swear by them because they remove the plastic packaging and also aren’t filled with 90% water like most traditional shampoos. The last time I bought shampoo I got it from our refill store in a reusable glass container which is another great option. Apply these suggestions also to hand soap, lotion, conditioner, etc!
6. Try plastic-free deodorant
   • Have you ever thought about the amount of plastic packaging traditional deodorant comes in? And don’t even get me started on all the unnecessary chemicals they put in there. I switched to a deodorant by No Tox that is basically just the bar of deodorant, no plastic. I have found that it works just as well as the plastic-full kinds and I don’t mind not having a plastic applicator.
7. Use towels made of natural materials
   • One of the most common ways microplastics end up in the ocean is through our drainage system. When we wash clothes and linens, like towels, made out of materials like polyester, those little microplastics get in the water and work their way all the way into the ocean. By buying materials made out of 100% cotton or bamboo you can eliminate the microplastic pollution. Plus, these materials should last you a very, very long time. When they’re at the end of their life, they can actually be composted.
8. Consider an eco-friendly shower curtain/liner
   • If your shower requires a curtain and liner, chances are you’ve had the experience of the liner getting grimy. That’s just what happens when its whole job is to contain soap and water. The first thing you should try if this happens to you is to scrub it with some soap and a cloth or scrub brush – most of it should come right off! Once that liner is at the end of its life though, consider one of these more eco-friendly options.

One very important thing to remember about these substitution suggestions is that you shouldn’t just go straight to your bathroom and throw away everything you have made of plastic. It’s best to use up the things you already have that are made of plastic to the end of their life before opting for a more eco-friendly version.