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CCnfession time: for years, my bathroom looked like a plastic explosion.
Bottles, tubes, wrappers… you name it, it was probably made of plastic and residing on my shelves.
I felt guilty, I knew I needed to change, but honestly, figuring out how to reduce plastic in the bathroom felt overwhelming. Where do you even start?
Well, 2025 is here and I’m finally making serious progress.
It’s not perfect, and I still slip up occasionally, but I’ve managed to drastically cut down on my bathroom’s plastic footprint. And the best part?
It’s not as hard or expensive as you might think. I am excited to share my personal experience on how to reduce plastic in the bathroom.
So grab a cuppa and let’s dive in!
It all started when I actually took the time to look at my trash can *after* I had emptied my trash. Not just a quick glance, but a proper inventory.
I emptied the entire contents out onto a tarp in my garage (yes, it was as gross as it sounds). What I saw was shocking.
So much of it was bathroom-related plastic: shampoo bottles, conditioner bottles, body wash containers, toothpaste tubes, and more.
It looked like a garbage monster. It was then I realized how unsustainable my habits were.
That’s when I got serious about how to reduce plastic in the bathroom.
I started with the low-hanging fruit. The easiest swaps that wouldn’t break the bank or require a complete lifestyle overhaul.
These were surprisingly effective and gave me the momentum I needed to keep going.
This was my first big win. Ditching the plastic bottles for solid shampoo and conditioner bars was incredibly simple.
I was skeptical at first – would they really clean my hair? Would my hair be dry? But I was pleasantly surprised!
They lather well, smell amazing, and leave my hair feeling healthy and clean. Plus, they last for ages, which is an extra bonus for the budget.
There are tons of brands out there, so experiment and find one you love.
Another easy one. I replaced my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo one.
The handle is biodegradable, which is a huge improvement over the plastic toothbrushes that end up in landfills for hundreds of years.
The bristles are still nylon (unfortunately, truly biodegradable bristles aren’t quite there yet), but I simply pluck them out with pliers and dispose of them separately before composting the handle.
A small effort for a big impact. This is definitely one of the easiest ways on how to reduce plastic in the bathroom.
Don’t forget to compost that toothbrush handle!
Instead of buying a new plastic bottle of hand soap every time, I invested in a nice glass soap dispenser and refill it with bulk soap.
Many natural food stores and co-ops offer refill options, where you can bring your own container and fill it up.
This is not only better for the environment, but also often cheaper in the long run.
I used to go through so many disposable cotton rounds for removing makeup and applying toner.
Now, I use reusable cotton rounds made of soft bamboo or organic cotton. I just toss them in the laundry with my towels, and they’re good to go.
So much better than contributing to the mountain of disposable cotton waste! You can find really cute patterns, too!
Once I had the easy wins under my belt, I tackled some of the more challenging areas.
These required a little more research, experimentation, and commitment, but they made a significant difference in my quest on how to reduce plastic in the bathroom.
This one was a bit intimidating at first, but I’ve actually come to enjoy making my own skincare products.
I started with simple things like facial oil (using just a few ingredients like jojoba oil and essential oils) and a sugar scrub (sugar, coconut oil, and your favorite scent).
Not only does this eliminate plastic packaging, but I also know exactly what’s going on my skin – no mystery ingredients!
You can start with a simple Google search for DIY skincare recipes.
Be sure to research each ingredient carefully and test on a small area of skin first.
Okay, this one took some getting used to. Switching from disposable plastic razors to a safety razor was a bit of a learning curve. But it’s worth it!
Safety razors are made of metal and last a lifetime.
The blades are recyclable (check your local recycling guidelines), and they provide a much closer shave than disposable razors.
There are tons of tutorials on YouTube that I used to help me learn the proper technique.
Just be patient with yourself at first – you might nick yourself a few times!
Deodorant was a tricky one. I tried several plastic-free options that just didn’t work for me.
Some were too greasy, some didn’t provide enough odor protection, and some irritated my skin.
But I finally found a brand that I love that comes in a cardboard tube.
It took some trial and error, but it was worth it to find a deodorant that’s effective and environmentally friendly.
The most important thing I learned on my journey to reduce plastic in the bathroom is that it’s not about being perfect.
It’s about making conscious choices and striving to do better. There will be times when you slip up and buy something in plastic. That’s okay!
Don’t beat yourself up about it. Just learn from it and keep moving forward.
Think of it like climbing a mountain. You don’t have to reach the summit in one day.
You can take small steps, enjoy the scenery along the way, and celebrate your progress.
Every little bit helps, and every plastic bottle you avoid is a win for the planet.
Hopefully my experiences on how to reduce plastic in the bathroom can help you with your journey!
Once I started focusing on how to reduce plastic in the bathroom, it naturally extended to other areas of my life.
I started bringing my own reusable shopping bags to the grocery store, using a reusable water bottle, and packing my lunch in reusable containers.
It’s all connected, and the more you become aware of your consumption habits, the easier it becomes to make sustainable choices in all aspects of your life.
Here are some places to look for plastic-free alternatives:
Reducing plastic in the bathroom is a journey, not a destination. It’s about making conscious choices, one swap at a time.
It’s about finding what works for you and your lifestyle. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results overnight.
Just keep making small changes, and you’ll be amazed at the difference you can make.
So, what are you waiting for? Start ditching the plastic and create a bathroom that’s good for you and good for the planet!
And don’t forget to share your tips and tricks on how to reduce plastic in the bathroom in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you!
