The Green UP challenge has officially started. Our family is feeling ready for the challenge and a little bit exhausted with all the prep that has gone into zero waste. We want to say thanks to everyone that has joined the challenge as it has truly motivate us to see this project through. Greening UP is not easy but is so important for a sustainable lifestyle. To kick off the challenge I decided to tackle the bathroom with how to create a zero waste bathroom.

Working towards a Zero Waste Bathroom

Shampoo/Conditioner

In my most recent quest for shampoo and conditioner alternatives a friend mentioned using Baking Soda to wash and Apple Cider Vinegar to rinse. WHAT! That is exactly what I said so I started to research a little bit more and it is true! I am going to be trying this to see if my extremely sensitive skin can handle it. I will keep you updated!

Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Wash: Use 1-2 tbsp of baking soda combined with 1-2 cups of water depending on your hair length. Pour over wet hair. Massage the whole mixture into the hair. Rinse thoroughly.  Then pour 1-2 tbsp apple cider vinegar mixed with 1-2 cups of water. Rinse Immediately.

Other options include heading to a local natural store and seeing if they have refillable shampoos and conditioners.

Toothbrush

Toothbrushes are an easy way to Green UP your life and make a huge different in the landfill as they typically cannot be recycled. Instead of plastic buy a bamboo or corn starch toothbrush  in packaging that is also compostable! Jack n’ Jill  has an electric corn starch toothbrush  for kids!

Note: The brustles may or may not be recyclable depending on your city. If you cannot recycle the brustles then just pull them out before recycling/composting.

Dental Floss

Use a biodegradable silk floss like the Woombamboo Eco Awesome Floss which is also packaged in biodegradable packaging.

Toothpaste

Toms of Maine has a program where you can send empty toothpaste containers back to them to be recycled. Join the TerraCycle program in partnership with Toms of Maine here.

You can also make your own toothpaste. Pare Down home has a recipe for making your own coconut oil toothpaste! I am not sure I am ready to try it yet but definitely something to look into in the future.  

Soaps

If you want to buy a soap then check into local soaps that are often made with minimal ingredients and can be bought waste free. They are often wrapped in a simple piece of paper. Also who does not love shopping local!

Face Cream:

I would look into natural face creams made by local companies and asking if their packaging can be recycled or better yet reused. Also, apparently using only high linoleic oils is great for acne prone skin. Minimalist Beauty describes her routine here.

Note: I am going to continue with what I currently do for creams as I have severe eczema and it is currently being managed by my doctors.

Make Up Remover

There is no need to buy any fancy make up removers. Oil like coconut oil or olive oil is a great way to remove make up.

Shaving

Razors

If your still using disposable razors then stop. At least start using a razor with a reusable head. Better options include buying recycled razors or a safety razor.

Shaving Cream

To use shaving cream or not? My husband has been enjoying the natural Dirt and Whiskey Shave Soap from Cheeky Monkey Baby Company. Excuse the name of the company and just focus on the name of the shaving soap. Dirt and Whiskey!

Other options include not using any shaving cream if possible. I have found that I do well not using shaving cream when shaving my legs and I just follow with moisturizer.

Monthly Period

There are so many options for a women’s monthly period. While the thought of using a reusable cup or pads might be hard to grasp just think of how clean your garbage can will be. I will touch on this more in another post but it is seriously worth looking into a reusable cup and/or reusable pads.

Toilet Paper:

After sharing the Green UP challenge on social media I have had countless followers and friends mention to me about Family cloth. Family cloth is using reusable cloth after going to the bathroom and runny noses. Don’t use the same piece in that order though…. Obviously lol. Other options include using reusable toilet paper ideally not wrapped in plastic. There is unbleached reusable toilet paper but I have found no confirmation that it does not contain BPA.

 

How have you created a zero waste bathroom?

Any additional tips or ideas?

 

 

 

By Annika Mang
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7 thoughts on “Working towards a Zero Waste Bathroom”

  1. I can’t even imagine how much research you have put into this project. It’s good food for thought, thank you!

    1. Thanks so much for commenting Christine! It has been alot of work which sometimes has made me want to quit. But I feel motivated by the number of people that have joined with a Green UP goal and the support that friends and family (like you!) have been giving us!

  2. I tried the baking soda/apple cider for a while but just didn’t love it (although lots of people really do!). There are several companies that make solid shampoo and conditioner bars (like bars of soap) that you can buy and just store in your own packaging. Lush makes a few different options and I’ve also seen them at The Beehive (theirs might be a bit more local). Good luck with the challenge (I’m looking forward to reading about how it goes!).

    1. At the start I did not like the baking soda/apple cider rinse but by the 3rd time I really started to like it! I was a little disappointed when my dermatologist(skin doctor) told me to stop doing it. She has now told me not to use anything in my hair at all! Only water so that is what I have been doing more recently.

  3. I like to buy locally made package free soaps and Lush shampoo bars. I also make my own deodorant, laundry detergent & air freshener spray.

    1. Lush is a great company and I agree I like buying local as well. Funny enough, my dermotologist has told me to stop using any shampoo or conditioner for my hair or body wash/soap. I am supposed to just wash with water!
      Also I would love to hear how you make your own deodorant, laundry detergent and air freshener spray! If you don’t have your own blog I would love for you to share your tips!

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