Next to sharing and exploring sustainable businesses in Rotterdam we are also very eager to make our homes as sustainable as possible. Therefor we share a few of our favourite tips with you. Let’s talk about a zero waste bathroom!
We know that most of our trash comes from the kitchen as food packaging or food scraps. But there is also waste coming from the bathroom. Think about all those plastic soap and shampoo bottles, single use razors and chemically bleached toilet paper. It can be overwhelming to change all these things at once but we advise everyone to take a look at your toiletries, what is the easiest you can change in a few days? Start from there and every time something has to be replaced, replace it with an eco friendly alternative.
1. Toothbrush and tooth tabs are an easy switch in the bathroom. A bamboo toothbrush is more sustainable since it is not made of plastic and harmful chemicals. It is also 100% compostable in contrast with the plastic one that doesn’t even get recycled.
Next to that tooth tabs instead of tooth paste is a great switch too. Regular toothpaste comes in a plastic tube and sometimes even a paper box around it. Extremely wasteful, therefor we use tooth tabs from Dent Tabs that are packaged in paper and are available at Gimsel and Ecomondo. We store them in a tiny glas jar that was used for deodorant but now reused as tooth tabs container.
2. Toilet paper can be a bit tricky. Some companies use virgin paper (paper that is not recycled ever) therefor it causes deforestation. And next to that it can be bleached with toxic chemicals. Of course either of that is an option in our homes.
Paper can be recycled up to 7 times. After that its fibers are too short to be recycled but it is perfect for cleaning our buts! We use toilet paper from 100% Eco which is made from 100% recycled paper, comes in a cardboard box and is not bleached with harmful chemicals.
The only difficulty is that you have to order 60 or 80 rolls in one. Fortunately we have enough storage to store them and have around 10 rolls in the cupboard which I refill every time it goes empty. But it can be a great option to ask some friends and family members if they would like to share those 60 rolls with you so you don’t have to store them alone. Not everyone has a big basement where they can store a box full of eco-friendly toilet paper but sharing can be an option!
3. Bar of soap instead of liquid soap. A liquid soap contains around 80% water. Why would we buy water when it comes form the tap? A solid soap is a great alternative, our favourites are from Werfzeep, a Dutch company from Utrecht with amazing woman making hand made natural soaps.
They have different varieties from regular soap for washing your hands, herbs soap (shown on the picture which smells great in the shower) and cleaning soaps as well. You can buy the soaps at Gimsel or Ecomondo.
4. Natural sponge for washing your body is so much nicer that synthetic ones. We use the natural sponge that we got as a present and we love it. Great idea for a gift as well with a solid soap bar.
But I have sensitive skin so I use a sponge that is made from linnen only for my face. Linnen is a soft and sustainable material and can be washed with the regular wash as well. Both can be bought at Dille and Kamille.
5. For liquide shampoo alternative we use a solid shampoo bar. It works the same as a bar of soap only you use it on your head. Our favourites are form Lush and can be stored in a stainless steel container after being used. One shampoo bar can be good for up to 3-4 months, depends how often you wash your hair or how long your hair is.
6. A wooden hair brush lasts forever and is better for the environment sinds it is not made of plastic and other harmful chemicals. These brushes can be composted when they are worn out but that takes a long time sinds they are very durable. Hair is 100% natural and can be composted, read more about home composting here.
7. Q-tips are essential for some people. The ones from Bamboo Brush Society is 100% compostable and is made of sustainable bamboo and organic cotton. Store the Q-tips in a glass jar that was previous used to store food in it, but after washing the jar it can be reused for so much more. After using the Q-tips they can be composted as well. Read more about home composting here.
8. Stainless steel razor is one of the best switches while going zero waste. Plastic single use razors are a product not a packaging. They are made from hard plastics therefore they almost never get recycled and they end up damaging our environment.
This stainless steel razor from Albatross has reusable blades. The blades stay sharp for a long time and 10 new blades only cost $2.50. After you used your blades you can send them back to Albatross and they will recycle it for you as well. The most circulair way of shaving if you ask us! Use a solid soap bar for shaving from Werfzeep. They have one specially made for shaving. Just the perfect combination!
If you still hesitate about shaving with a steel razor have a look at Leaf. A brand that makes stainless steel razors that look just like the single use ones but are better for the environment.
Good luck with turning your bathroom plastic free and let us know which zero waste alternative is your favourite so far! And don’t forget if it gets overwhelming think about what is the easiest you can change in a few days? Start from there and every time something has to be replaced, replace it with an eco friendly alternative. You can’t loose 60 kilos in a week you have to do that step by step. Think the same when switching to eco friendly alternatives as well.
