5 Simple Changes for a Zero Waste Bathroom

The 5 simple changes for a zero waste bathroom are some of the easiest changes to reduce your waste. You’ve got this. They’re so simple that once you adapt them and get used to the change, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start this earlier.

The two main waste creators in our house are the kitchen and the bathroom. Single use plastic come at you from every direction when you’re buying your needed supplies. The good news is that we have been able to reduce our waste close to zero with some simple changes. For now, let’s solve the bathroom problem and save the kitchen for another day.

Let’s have a look. All you have to lose is the waste your bathroom creates.

What is a Zero Waste Bathroom?

A zero waste bathroom is a bathroom that in an ideal world, would never need a garbage. Our family kept the garbage for the very odd time we might need it. It’s been a cool process to see how little we actually produce. Remember don’t let perfect get in the way of good. Our goal is to make a tangible impact on our plastic reduction. With these simple changes, you’ll be able to achieve your goals as well.

5 Simple Changes for a Zero Waste Bathroom

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Switch to Reusables

The goal here is to avoid all of the disposables. You know, the trash in transition.

Nice refillable bottles are super handy in this department; from adapter pumps on glass mason jars to nice ceramic, glass or steel pumps that look great in your washroom.

Travel size containers work well for smaller refillables’ like stainless boxes with sliding lids or S’well’s travel bottles.

Here’s a list of the items in your bathroom that you can move away from disposable and into reusable.

• Paper bags/ plastic bags – bring your own cloth/tote bag for buying supplies
• Liquid hand soap bottles – refills in a reusable container or soap bars
• Shampoo, conditioner or body wash bottle – refills, shampoo and soap bars; apple cider vinegar hair rinse
• Disposable razors – straight-edge razor, safety razors, electric shaver
• Shaving cream – refills in a reusable container or bars
• Cotton rounds – washable cotton rounds
• Disposable swabs – LastSwab or similar
• Disposable creams and balms – bars, creams and balms in reusable containers, natural oils, or even better, make your own
• Deodorant  – reusable holders with refills, deodorant in glass jars or in paper tubes, or an alum stone
• Plastic Toothpaste tubes – refills: paste or tablets in glass jars. If you insist on a tube, buy it in recyclable metal.
• Dental Floss– compostable floss in a refillable glass or steel container
• Toilet paper – a bottle, water, soap and a washcloth; bidet, Japanese seat or toilet
• Disposable period products – Menstrual cup or reusable period panties
• Disposable Diapers – cloth diapers and where available/within your budget, using a diaper service
• Paper towels – microfibre, cotton cloths and reusable paper towels. It can be handy to have lots of face cloths.
• Tissues – handkerchiefs, up-cycled from old fabric
• Sponges or plastic cleaning brushes – cotton cloth, wooden brush with natural bristles, loofah or Swedish sponge
• Cleaning wipes – microfibre or cotton cloth and your homemade vinegar cleaning solution (1/4 cup distilled vinegar + 1 cup of water)
• Trash bags/ bin liners – at some point you might not need those anymore ;), until then go for newspaper origami

Switch To Bars

So many liquid products that come in plastic bottles can be replaced by a simple bar that requires little or no packaging.

Some of these have been touched on in the previous list of switching to reusables. We use all sorts of bars in our washroom:

• Hand soap
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Shaving bar
• Massage bar instead of lotion or balm

Not only are they better for the environment, but our bathroom looks way better without the clutter of all the plastic bottles. We certainly feel better in a minimalist environment.

Lush and Bkind are a few resources for bars, or try your local apothecary. Drop a comment if you have a favourite.

Refill Instead of Replace

If you haven’t been able to replace your favourite liquid with a bar, look for refills.

You can refill your shampoo, conditioner, liquid hand soap or any other product that comes in a bottle or a jar.

For refills, you have to be lucky enough to have a refillery in your local area. In Whistler we are lucky enough to have the Vesell Refillery, Be Clean Naturally in Squamish and many other options in greater Vancouver.

If you don’t have that option, check your local bulk section, health food/vitamin shop or hair salon. They may be able to help you. If not, shop around for very large sizes/refills of your favourites as it is better than constantly replacing small bottles. If you have made the switch to bars, you won’t have to worry about this process.

Add a Bidet Seat

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The change to a bidet has been a welcome change, not only has made a huge dent in our toilet paper consumption, but it also made us realize how much more hygienic it is.

Whether you change to a built bidet/toilet, a bidet seat or a sprayer, you will reap the same benefits. Check out: To Bidet or not to Bidet for more detailed information.

Toilet paper in general is super wasteful and has a massive carbon footprint. I know it can sound weird not to use toilet paper as it’s what we’ve always done in North America. Consider that bidets and alternatives have been used around the world for centuries. A tip that I think is worth sharing: keep toilet paper available for guests and your kids as they may be slower to adapt.

Add a Compost Bin

I believe that I learned about this from Bea Johson and her book Zero Waste Home. Wow, has it ever made an impact. Our bathroom garbage is always 99% empty, it saved us so many trips to garbage building. You might be asking “compost in the bathroom”? What am I going to put in there? Well here is our list, let me know in the comments if I am missing anything.

• Tissues (until you transition to handkerchiefs) The kids still use up a bunch of these, it’s often harder to change their habits. Patience pays off in the long run.
• Hair (I don’t have this problem unless I am shaving my head, but my wife and kids sure produce a lot of it). I find it all over the place and their brushes are a significant source of it.
• Nails Trimmings
• Natural cotton swabs (wood, bamboo or paper with compostable tips) until you switch to a long lasting swab like LastSwab.
• Soiled Paper Packaging from bathroom products, think paper deodorant tube, paper lip balm tubes, basic paper soap packaging (need to be plastic free)… I am guessing you know about these alternatives if you’re reading this.
• Dryer Lint (only if your clothing has natural fibres, no micro plastics from polyester)

I still feel like I am missing something for the bin, so please drop a line if you can think of anything else.

Bonus Changes

• Simple Cleaning

Some seemingly benign household cleaners secretly harbour indoor pollutants that can harm the environment and your health. Never mind the pollution caused by its production and packaging.

The next time the urge to clean strikes, consider concocting your own safer cleaning products. Many of them work just as well as the chemical-filled stuff. Or, do a little searching online to find the safest products.

These next changes are beyond what I’ve done, but are totally possible with a bit of research. My wife has started researching making her own lip balm and creams. It’s also fun to include the kids in choosing essential oils and mixing the ingredients. Check out: Zero Waste Home, Going Zero Waste and Almost Zero Waste for more in depth information.

I don’t want to be mansplaining anything.

• Make your own cosmetics
• Consider permanent makeup
• Make your own creams/balms

In the End

What’s stopping you? The 5 simple changes for a zero waste bathroom should get well on your way to reducing your impact on the planet.

We found it to be one of the easiest places to start our zero waste journey. On the other hand, the kitchen can be the toughest. I will endeavour to come up the simplest kitchen solutions in a future post, check back later.

Remember it’s a journey, it doesn’t happen all at once. Keep me posted on your progress and don’t be shy to ask any questions.

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Thanks for reading,

Pat