Minimizing Bathroom Waste

There are so many “miracle” products out there being touted on Instagram ads and by beauty bloggers, begging to fill our bathroom cabinets. But we know that each of those containers, tubes, tubs, and packets are destined for a landfill or the ocean. We also know that, oftentimes, simple is not only better for the planet and its resources: simple is also better for us.  

This is the beauty of minimizing our bathroom waste. Less plastic, less toxins, less opportunity for our oral microbiome and our skin flora to come into contact with things that diminish our health. When we reassess and simplify our bathroom routine, we find new and tangible ways to care for ourselves and care for the planet. 

Here we have come-up with a handful of essential ways that you can begin to minimize your bathroom waste utilizing low waste solutions that are sustainable, in multiple senses of the word. 

Never Buy Another Q-Tip

One easy switch (that will also conveniently clear out some much drawer space), is the LastSwab. One of these little magic swabs will replace around 1,000 cotton swabs and can be used for nearly everything you would do with a cotton bud; ear cleaning, makeup touch-ups, you name it. LastSwab comes in two different varieties; one for general purpose and one that’s designed for your beauty needs. 

Smell Great, Safely

You don’t need to compromise your health to smell fresh. Switching to clean deodorant keeps you away from dangerous additives like aluminum and parabens, ensuring that your body can properly sweat-out toxins. Even better, zero-waste deodorant makes packaging obsolete and is made using only nourishing and effective ingredients like aloe vera and jojoba-based wax. Just stash your bar in an air-tight container and swipe on as-needed. 

Re-think Single-Purpose Products

We know you’ve heard of single-use products (like a tissue or a plastic bottle of water), but what about single-purpose? Instead of buying plastic-net loofahs, consider using a fabric washcloth as your in-shower sud-maker and exfoliator, then toss it in the washing machine when you must. Invest in a multipurpose oil -- such as jojoba or calendula -- that moisturizes dry patches on your body just as well as it keeps the ends of your hair glistening and soft. And next time you’re planning an in-home spa treatment, skip purchasing pre-made solutions and instead mix-up your own mask using avocado + oatmeal for dry skin or turmeric + honey for acne. 

Treat Your Teeth

Lest you were beginning to think that low-waste living meant giving up on luxuries, we’d like to introduce your teeth to some of our favorite products: charcoal-infused floss and toothpaste tablets. Chemical-laden toothpaste is a thing of the past. Recent research has shown that Xylitol -- one of the ingredients in these magical tablets -- both prevents tooth decay and keeps bad bacteria at bay.* So, pop a tablet in your mouth, bite down, and start brushing. When you start to run low, don’t fret, you can easily refill and give your container a long and useful life. 

Before you start brushing, don’t forget to floss! Using Eco Floss keeps those little plastic strands from conventional floss out of our waterways by fully biodegrading in as little as 60 days. The glass container (with a built-in cutter) can be refilled endlessly and the addition of charcoal keeps teeth whiter and brighter. 

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With these tips in mind, we hope you feel empowered to make a few sustainable low-waste switches in your bathroom routine. As always, any amount of progress is important and impactful! That said, we have so many more tips and tricks ready to share with you so don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter so you can stay in-the-know!