This post lists all the best zero-waste bathroom swaps that make your life easier and less wasteful!
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Our planet is overflowing with waste, which ends up in the oceans, landfills, and (usually lower-income) communities. Most of that waste is made from plastic, made from fossil fuels extracted from the earth and processed at great environmental cost.
Zero Waste living is a useful principle to help reduce the amount of waste you generate. It is about resisting overconsumption and minimising what you buy, but also buying smarter so you can implement circular habits. It prioritises plastic-free products and packaging, and products that can be either reused, refilled, or composted at the end of life.
So it’s not about literally producing zero waste, but about acting to prevent as much waste as possible.
I’ve written before about the main principles of Zero Waste and Zero Waste kitchen swaps, but this guide is specifically about swaps you can make in the Zero Waste swaps you can make in the bathroom.
22 Useful Zero-Waste Bathroom Ideas
1. Shampoo and conditioner bars
A great starting point for a zero-waste bathroom is your shampoo and conditioner. Liquid versions use a lot of single-use plastic packaging and often contain synthetic and harmful chemicals.
Solid bar versions of shampoo and conditioner have almost zero packaging and are usually made with natural ingredients. Without all that liquid, they are lighter to transport and thus release less emissions, and many last longer than the average liquid bottle.
If you’re worried about how to store them after use, consider soap magnets. These let you hang your soap on the wall or glass divider so it can dry without a mess and are always within reach.
Where to buy:
- Ethical Superstore carries a lot of solid shampoo bar brands: Get solid shampoo bars from Ethical Superstore here.
- Re:gn has a few good solid conditioner bar options, including from Bain & Savon, which I use myself: Get solid conditioner bars from Re:gn here.
2. Hand and body soap bars
Similar to the solid shampoo and conditioner, solid body and hand soap can save a lot of waste, too. For soap bars next to the sink, make sure to get a soap dish with good drainage!
Where to buy:
- Ethical Superstore has a lot of solid soap bar options: Get solid soap bars from Ethical Superstore here.
3. Refillable soap
If solid soap isn’t your thing, another good option is refillable soap. This lets you reuse the same soap dispenser (ideally plastic-free, like glass) and refill it with liquid soap. These are usually packaged in pouches with minimal plastic, or in bulk jars that minimise packaging.
Refilling your soap may be a small extra step compared to buying single-use soap, but it’s an easy habit to get into, and it saves a lot of waste and money. Your bathroom will look cuter too with a nice glass dispenser!
Where to buy
- Ethical Superstore has a lot of refill soaps, including bulk refills from Miniml, which I use: Get bulk refill soaps from Ethical Superstore here.
4. Multipurpose soaps like Castile soap
One of the best things you can do for a zero-waste bathroom is simply minimising the amount of products you buy, and an easy way to do that is by finding products that can be used for multiple purposes.
One of my favourite examples of this is Castile soap! This is a natural soap that has a lot of uses, like handwash, face wash (great at removing make-up), body wash, cleaning sinks and baths, dishwashing, and even laundry. I keep a bulk bottle of it in my bathroom and use it for nearly all of the above.
Where to buy
- Dr Bronner’s is the best and most sustainable castile soap brand out there. They are fairtrade, organic, vegan, you name it.
5. Natural shower loofah
Did you know loofahs are a real plant? The plastic loofahs that can be found in many bathrooms are just a synthetic imitation of the real thing.
Instead of washing your body with something that sheds microplastics, try switching to a natural loofah. They’re great at exfoliating and can simply biodegrade (even in your compost bin) at the end of their life.
Where to buy:
- Ethical Superstore has a great collection: Get natural loofahs from Ethical Superstore here.
6. Reusable face cloths
Make-up wipes and other single-use face wipes are super wasteful and contain synthetics and chemicals that are bad for the environment and your skin. An easy swap is to get reusable face cloths or face towels made from a 100% natural fibre like cotton or bamboo. Just wet them to wash your face and pop them in the wash with the rest of your laundry. It can save you a lot of money over time too!
Where to buy
- Re:gn has some great organic 70% bamboo / 30% cotton face cloths: Get Re:gn bamboo cotton face cloths here.
7. Reusable makeup remover cotton pads
Similar to face cloths, reusable cotton pads are a great and easy replacement for single-use cotton pads to remove makeup. These are also usually made of cotton or bamboo. I have been using them for years, and they work just as well as normal pads.
Where to buy
- Re:gn has bamboo cotton reusable make-up remover pads: Get Re:gn reusable make-up remover pads here.
- You can find organic cotton reusable make-up remover pads on Ethical Superstore: Get organic cotton reusable make-up pads from Ethical Superstore here.
8. Plastic-free cotton swabs
Cotton swabs or cotton buds with plastic stems are a significant source of plastic pollution, and they are known to harm animals since they are small enough to be digested by them.
Switching to plastic-free versions is easy, and they are widely available. The most common options are wood or bamboo, but I have also seen stems made of paper (which works better than you might expect)
Where to buy
- EcoLiving has cotton swabs made with recycled paper stems, and they’re fairtrade too: Get EcoLiving paper cotton swabs from Ethical Superstore here.
- Re:gn has nice bamboo cotton swabs: Get Re:gn bamboo cotton swabs here.
9. Bamboo or wooden toothbrush
Toothbrushes are another significant source of plastic waste since they have to be replaced often, and most are entirely made of plastic. A good swap is to go for a bamboo or wooden toothbrush.
The only catch is that the bristles are usually still made from plastic, because they need to be hardy enough to withstand brushing. However, I have found options with bristles made from castor oil. It’s still not completely biodegradable, but at least it’s not plastic.
Where to buy
- I use this toothbrush from EcoLiving with a beech wood handle and castor oil bristles: Get the Ecoliving wooden toothbrush from Ethical Superstore here
10. Toothpaste tablets or jar
One of my favourite swaps for a zero-waste bathroom is toothpaste tablets! Instead of getting paste from a plastic tube, toothpaste tablets are concentrated tablets that, when chewed, turn into toothpaste that’s pretty much the same as regular toothpaste. Most come in a reusable glass jar and can be refilled with biodegradable pouches. They are also amazing for travelling as they use up way less space and don’t go towards your liquid allowance
I really recommend trying tablets, but if you want to stick to paste, then try natural toothpaste from a glass jar, so you can avoid the plastic packaging.
Where to buy
- I use these toothpaste tablets from EcoLiving: Get the EcoLiving toothpaste tablets here (and the reusable travel tin version here!)
- Georganics has natural toothpaste in glass jars: Get Georganics toothpaste in jars here
11. Plastic-free dental care accessories
Other than toothbrushes and toothpaste, don’t neglect other dental care accessories. For every plastic version, there is usually a natural version available.
Floss can be made from biodegradable corn waste, castor oil, or silk, and comes in reusable cases to minimise packaging. Interdental brushes and tongue scrapers can be made from materials like bamboo, wood, or stainless steel.
Where to buy
- Check out Ethical Superstore for a good range of dental accessories: Get plastic-free dental accessories from Ethical Superstore here.
12. Stainless steel safety razor
Disposable razors are super wasteful and made of plastic. There are some versions with replaceable heads, but they are still a source of plastic waste, since the heads contain plastic too and can’t be recycled.
The best switch to make is to invest in a stainless steel safety razor, where you only have to replace the metal blade. They are plastic-free, higher quality, more durable, save money, and give a much smoother shave than most 5-blade plastic razors.
Where to buy
- The one I have used for years is from Re:gn: Get the Re:gn safety razor here
13. Reusable period pads
One of the favourite zero-waste bathroom switches I ever made was switching to reusable period pads. Not only do they prevent so much waste compared to single-use pads, they also save you a lot of money (hygiene products are expensive!), are so much more comfortable and non-irritating (unlike most single-use pads), and are much healthier for your privates, since single-use pads often contain perfume and chemicals. Check out my sustainable period products guide for a full breakdown of all the options.
Where to buy
- The pads I have are from Re:gn: Get Re:gn period pads here.
- DAME has a good-looking cotton-based period pad: Get DAME reusable period pads here.
- The Period Lady has a great selection of reusable period pad brands
14. Menstrual cups or disks
Tampons are often made from synthetic materials and chemicals, and are obviously single-use. A great alternative is menstrual cups and disks. They prevent a lot of waste, save lots of money, and are chemical and plastic-free. Check out my sustainable period products guide for a full breakdown of all the options.
Where to buy:
- There are many brands around that have pretty comparable menstrual cups. Ethical Superstore carries a few: Get menstrual cups here
- DAME is a great period product brand: Get the DAME menstrual cup here.
- There are several brands of menstrual disks to choose from. The Period Lady has a good selection!
15. Period pants
A final menstruation recommendation is period pants. I use these in combination with a cup or only on low-flow days because while they can hold a lot, it is obviously more difficult to change them during the day when you’re out and about. But I love the sense of security they give, and they can save you from having to wear tampons or pads on lower flow days.
Where to buy
- My favourite ones are from WUKA, especially their seamless range, which shows no VPL on your bum!
- DAME has great ones made from organic cotton with minimal synthetic fabric: Get DAME reusable period pants here.
- Ethical superstore has a good selection too: Get reusable period underwear here.
16. Refillable solid deodorant
Spray deodorants contain aerosol and toxic chemicals, which pollute the environment, and they are usually packaged in plastic. There are a lot of sustainable solid deodorants on the market now, which come in cardboard or refillable cases, so you can ditch the plastic ones. And most of these are natural deodorants, which are much kinder on the planet and your skin.
Where to buy
- I personally use Fussy, I’ve found it performs better than some other options, and it doesn’t leave me with white streaks. Get Fussy refillable deodorant here.
17. Zero-waste sunscreen
Choosing sunscreen in metal tins or solid sunscreen in cardboard tubes is a great alternative to regular SPF. At minimum, choose a mineral over a chemical sunscreen to protect reefs and avoid toxic chemicals. Solid sunscreens are also great for travelling since they don’t count towards your liquid allowance!
where to buy:
- Ethical Superstore has several brands of solid and mineral sunscreens: Get zero-waste and natural sunscreens from Ethical Superstore here
18. Minimal skincare & makeup in sustainable packaging
I believe skincare and makeup products are the most prone to being wasteful. They are nearly always packaged in plastic and single-use, and we are constantly encouraged to buy more than we need. From 10-step skincare routines to the latest cool shade of lipstick, combined with constant sales and marketing, most of us have tons of products we barely even use and eventually throw away. When was the last time you used up all of your makeup products?
So, for a zero-waste bathroom, first focus on minimising the number of products used in your skincare and make-up routines. Then, look for products that use minimal and plastic-free packaging, usually glass or aluminium. Admittedly, these can be hard to find, but there are brands out there trying. Also, focus on natural and organic ingredients, which can be even more important than the packaging in terms of environmental impact.
Where to buy:
- Ethical Superstore has a lot of brands that offer sustainable skincare, many of which come in plastic-free packaging: Get sustainable skincare from Ethical Superstore here.
- Similarly, check out Ethical Superstore’s range of sustainable make-up: Get sustainable make-up from Ethical Superstore here.
- My favourite natural make-up brand that uses refillable, bamboo cases is Zao. While not completely plastic-free (some of the refills still contain plastic), they use significantly less packaging than normal makeup, and their formulas are all natural.
19. Bamboo hair brush
Hair brushes are another item that is usually made from plastic, which releases microplastics that damage both the environment and your body.
Bamboo hair brushes are an amazing swap for plastic brushes. Not only are they way more sustainable, but I also find them easier to clean, they brush better, and they are great for stimulating your scalp to promote hair growth.
Where to buy:
- Re:gn has a few nice options: Get Re:gn bamboo hairbrushes here.
20. Refillable cleaning products
Instead of common cleaning products, which are full of toxic chemicals and single-use plastic packaging, try out some brands that offer 100% natural products in a refillable format.
There are a number of great cleaning products on the market that are tablets or sachets that dissolve in water to make eco-friendly and effective cleaning products. Or, you can get bulk refill bottles of 5 litre that you use to refill your normal dispensers, which saves on packaging too.
Where to buy:
- I personally use Smol and I love them.
- Re:gn carries a few good brands like Neat and Ocean Saver: Get refill cleaning products at Re:gn here.
- My favourite for bulk refills is Miniml, I use their toilet cleaner, among other products.
21. DIY natural cleaning products
Simple, natural ingredients like white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, soda crystals, and oxygen bleach can replace most cleaning products and are often available in plastic-free, biodegradable packaging. You can combine them to create simple but effective DIY cleaning products, like spraying white vinegar on some bicarbonate of soda. Oxygen bleach is super effective as a toilet cleaner!
- You can get most natural cleaning powders like oxygen bleach or bicarbonate of soda from Re:gn: Get natural cleaning powders from Re:gn here.
- I like to get a bulk refill of white vinegar from Miniml (they also have a few scented options): Get Miniml bulk refill of white vinegar here.
22. Keep bottles for reuse
Saving bottles and jars can be super useful for refill products, DIY projects, and travel.
One of my favourite travel hacks for flying is to save any 100ml or less liquid bottles from any beauty products you buy, and reuse them when you are flying to comply with airport security. This way, you don’t have to buy travel-sized toiletries every time you travel, and you prevent single-use plastics.
Also, just keep the clear plastic bag airports give you to put your liquids in for security, so you can reuse it and pre-pack your liquids in it for a smoother airport process.
I hope this list has given you some inspiration for zero-waste bathroom swaps to try out! Remember to take it one step at a time and use up what you have first.
