5 Sustainable Swaps to Make Your Bathroom More Eco-Friendly

“Reduce, reuse, recycle” has been the environmentally-conscious catchphrase of choice for nearly fifty years — yet many consumers continue to struggle to implement all three. While government-funded collection has made recycling an easy habit to adopt, we can always do better. This is especially true when it comes to reusing products and reducing our waste. However, with so many eco-friendly products popping up on the market, it can be a bit overwhelming to decide where to start. So, why not take it one room at a time? Although our bathrooms create a considerable amount of household waste, a few simple swaps can make a huge difference. Just remember to use up all your existing single-use products before making the switch to avoid creating more unnecessary waste in the process.

Washable Make-Up Accessories: As much as we hate to admit it, our make-up routines are one of the worst culprits when it comes to waste. Between all the makeup pads, removal wipes, and Q-tips we use to perfect our looks, we’re creating a ton of unnecessary waste. Even if you’re only using one pad to remove your makeup at the end of the day, over the course of a year you’ll have tossed over 350 pads into the landfill. Fortunately, there are countless reusable options on the market that work just as well as the disposable options, so it’s easy to make the switch. All that’s required on your end is to collect the used makeup pads in a laundry bag (which is often included with purchase) and toss them in the wash with your towels or other laundry items.

Eco-Friendly Toilet Paper: Did you know that each year over 712 million trees are chopped down worldwide exclusively to make toilet paper? That’s pretty crappy. While reusable fabric toilet paper is undoubtedly the most sustainable option on the market, many of us are only willing to go so far for the environment. So in lieu of grossly increasing your laundry load, opt for a more sustainable or recycled option. This one simple swap can save energy, water, and countless trees — preserving the environment one wipe at a time.

Zero-Waste Oral Care: Most experts recommend swapping out your toothbrush after three months or following an illness to prevent the spread of germs. While that may not seem like many toothbrushes annually, it adds up throughout your lifetime. Switching to a bamboo option is an easy way to reduce the impact of your oral hygiene on the environment. Just make sure to select a toothbrush with plant-based bristles, as some bamboo options use nylon which isn’t a sustainable option. While you’re refreshing your oral care game, why not swap out your toothpaste too? Replacing your plastic tube with a powder option (packaged in glass) will eliminate plastic from your oral care routine and that’s definitely something to smile about.

Refillable Items: In the realm of sustainability, single-use plastics are among the most loathed products. Unfortunately, the majority of hair and body products still come in plastic packaging, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a more sustainable choice. If you’re lucky enough to live in an area with a bulk/package-free shop, that’s a great place to start. Just grab a reusable container, fill up on your favorite products, and transfer it to a refillable soap dispenser for easy access. But don’t stop there! Next time you run out of a cleaning spray, pick up a more sustainable option like tablets. All you need is an old spray bottle (reusing plastic is fine here), water, and you’re good to go!

Reusable Period Products: This last swap is for the ladies, and we know it’s tough to make the switch, but there’s a solid reason to try. Each year traditional period products and their packaging create more than 200,000 metric tons of waste. Of that waste, the plastic and non-compostable materials take up to 800 years to decompose and in doing so break down into microplastics that end up in our rivers, oceans, and even our bodies. Fortunately, innovative female founders have created a wide range of sustainable options including period underwear, reusable liners, and menstrual cups that get the job done without waste.

Understandably, overhauling your entire household in the spirit of sustainability is an overwhelming feat, so give yourself permission to start small. Over time, these small changes will add up to make a world of a difference for our beloved planet.