Bathroom

For such a small room, the bathroom plays a huge role in any zero-waster’s home.

Toothbrushes and Toothpaste

If you’re unable to switch to toothpaste tabs (with fluoride or without fluoride), luckily, Colgate has a free recycling program that accepts empty toothpaste tubes, floss containers, and toothbrushes.

Emma is a fan of Bite, an LA-based company. They make toothpaste tabs that come in glass jars, and every few months they mail you new ones in a biodegradable package (so the only other waste in this process is the cardboard box it arrives in, which is recyclable).

Floss

We really like this silk-based floss that is completely biodegradable– just toss it in the compost bin when you’re done. The company lets you order floss refills so you don’t have to keep buying new containers, even though they are made of glass and stainless steel.

Because your health should never be overshadowed by your environmental goals, if the silk-based floss is too thin for the gaps between your teeth, Cocofloss is another option. Their products come mailed in a paper envelope, and the plastic floss container can be recycled afterwards (separate the metal floss-cutting part from the plastic).

Contact Lenses

Although ideally, we would all just wear glasses every day instead of disposable contact lenses, Bausch and Lomb have a great recycling program for their blister packs and contact lenses. Please make sure not to dispose of your contacts in the toilet!

Hand Soap

The best option is to use EWG-verified organic bar soap made with sustainably-sourced palm oil, since it doesn’t come in a plastic bottle. But if you’re interested in using liquid hand soap, try buying EO Botanical Liquid Hand Soap in bulk. It smells lovely, foams like regular liquid hand soap, and is also verified by the Environmental Working Group.

Toilet

We love this brand of 100% recycled toilet paper that donates half of their profits to building toilets and improve sanitation in developing countries. When you’re done with a roll, you can recycle the inner paper roll and outer paper covering. If it’s an option for you, consider switching to a low-flow toilet and a bidet attachment. These two changes can save a lot of water and paper.

Hair

For hair and toothbrushes, we recommend sticking to wood-based products like this toothbrush, hairbrush, and wide-toothed comb.

Air Freshener

Instead of using commercial air fresheners like Febreeze, try using essential oil diffusers. With just a few drops of organic essential oils like lavender or lemon and some purified water, diffusers make the bathroom smell fresh.

However, if you’re using Febreeze, please take advantage of these free Febreeze aerosol and air purifier recycling programs. For more information on how to clean your zero-waste bathroom, take a look at our bathroom post or our Cleaning board on Pinterest.

Bathroom Trash

In the bathroom trash can, we use these reusable, washable, water-resistant trash can liners.

Recycling

If you have extra personal care items, Matthew:25 Ministries will accept donations and distribute them to disaster areas around the world. Another way to recycle these products is is to use TerraCycle’s free Personal Care and Beauty Products recycling program.

For more eco-friendly bathroom ideas, check out our Bathroom and Shower board on Pinterest!

Disclaimer: We receive no financial compensation for any of the products recommended or shared anywhere in this blog.