Reduce Plastic Waste In The Bathroom

Hey beaut's!

Plastic is a problem. More and more people around the world are slowly realising that something has to be done. Just this month, plans to ban plastic shopping bags in New York have been released, Sir David Attenborough has backed the manufacture of biodegradable glitter and a British coffee company gladly took a 25% profit loss to remove single-use cups from their shops. 

It isn’t just the big names that can make a difference either. Some simple swaps in your day-to-day life can be a fantastic way to do your part in helping the planet. Here are 5 simple switches that you could make in your bathroom to reduce plastic waste. If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love to hear your ideas on more switches -- just drop me a message in the comments!

Here are some top tips on reducing plastic waste without sacrificing on quality or on feeling great!

5 Simple Switches To Reduce Plastic Waste

1. Soap
Shower gels always come in a plastic bottle and hand wash soap dispensers are also plastic. Swapping to a bar of soap in the shower and by your sink is a really easy way to reduce use amounts of plastic waste in the long run.

 There are so many different varieties of bars of soap out there that come in paper or cardboard packaging. Even your small, local supermarket will sell a few options -- Dove do a fantastic soap bar (which smells great!) and comes in a cardboard box. It’s sold everywhere so even if you’re caught short you’ll be able to find a plastic free alternative to shower gel.

You’ll also be able to find artisan soaps on local markets or plastic-free bars of soaps online. There’s a bar of soap for every skin type so this is one of the easiest swaps on the list!

2. Safety Razor 

You might not be familiar with this old-school style of razor -- it’s what your grandfather would have used  -- but they’ve made a huge comeback in recent years! They’re completely plastic free and last for years. They don’t just cut back on your plastic waste, but will save you a lot of money!

The English Shaving Company have a fantastic collection of safety razors and their Edwin Jagger ones are manufactured in Sheffield. As a woman, you should look for one with a longer handle as it makes shaving your legs (and other areas!) a bit easier.

Using a safety razor is a little different from a cartridge, but it doesn’t take long to get used to. The main difference is that the blades are set in the razor and therefore need to be held at the correct angle manually (45 degrees). You don’t press down as you shave either, but instead let the weight of the razor do the work.

For more information, there’s a great blog here on how to shave your legs with a safety razor.

Benefits

Reducing plastic isn’t the only benefit of the double edge safety razor. It’s also known to give a higher quality shave because the blade is extremely sharp. Many people find it also reduces shaving rash because there’s only one blade involved (rather than multi-cartridge) which minimises abrasion.

The actual razor has an initial cost that varies from around £15 upwards, but you don’t have to spend too much to get a decent one. The blades need replacing every now and again (depending on how much you shave) to keep them sharp, but they’re incredibly cheap, usually 25-40p per blade. It’s much more cost effective than disposable razors.

 3. Bar Shampoo
We’ve already mentioned bars of soap, but you can also get bars of shampoo. These usually last longer for your money than bottles of shampoo and are plastic free.

There are a lot of different varieties of bars of shampoo out there. You can get them from local artisan shops or places like Lush.

4. Menstrual Cup
Menstrual cups are alternatives to sanitary pads and tampons that are long-lasting (both throughout the day and throughout the years) and reusable. Sanitary pads and tampons not only come in plastic packaging, but also contain plastic within them. It’s not easy to find alternatives, but the menstrual cup is one option.

They are usually made from silicone, which is antibacterial, and act as a funnel. They are inserted, collect blood over the course of 10-12 hours, and are then removed and the blood poured away.

They come in different sizes for different bodies and flows. Most women who try them swear by them, but it will depend on your personal preference and your own body as to whether they work for you.

Like with safety razors, they have an initial investment but will save you a huge amount of money in the long run as they usually last around 10 years.

5. Reusable Wipes
While wipes themselves rarely contain plastic, they do come in plastic packaging and are thrown away immediately, creating a lot of waste.

Instead of single use wipes and cotton pads, you can apply makeup remover, toner or other products to soft cotton cloths as a fantastic, plastic free alternative. Shove them in the washing machine and use them again next time!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on reducing plastic in the bathroom. Have you tried any of the tips above, or maybe you have more of your own ideas!

nopin

* This is a collaborative post.

1 comment

  1. Some great ideas I have never thought of xxx
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    ReplyDelete

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