This is an update to our article about a plastic-free bathroom from May 29, 2018

You can find all kinds of plastics in normal bathrooms: packages, hygiene products, or microplastics in cosmetics. However, there are some easy steps to avoid synthetic materials in your bathroom – thus, contributing to environmental protection. Any piece of plastic we avoid is not going to waste the oceans. And we actually think so: Zero waste or rather a plastic-free lifestyle is easiest to start in the bathroom!

Buy loose goods for your plastic-free bathroom

Some products might not contain any synthetic materials, but they are still often wrapped in plastic. However, there are alternatives: various products are available in so-called “unpackaged shops,” which are present in many larger cities. There, you can bottle liquids and jug loose products in jars you bring along. Moreover, you find more or less anything you need for your bathroom – toilet paper, soaps, cleaning detergents, and washing agents for instance. Even shaving foam and shampoo can be bought as soap bars and thus avoid many plastic bottles. By the way: In addition to bars of soap, you can now also find solid shampoo, solid deodorant, and solid shaving foam in most drugstores. These are then only packaged in paper or cardboard.

Our tip: collect your soap remains in a little soap bag and use it as a body scrub while showering.

Our Zero Waste Shopping Guide

If you don’t want to go without liquid shampoo, you can consider using refill dispensers. The HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu, for example, uses such dispensers. Especially in hotels, where shampoo, shower gel, and cream are often provided in small disposable packages, this is a good step towards reducing waste. In addition, all cosmetic products used in the bathrooms and spa treatments at the eco-wellness hotel are made from 100% natural ingredients.

Green substitute for plastics

Wherever you go, you’ll find plastic. That is why it is challenging sometimes to find something else but synthetic packaging. If you take a closer look, you can find glass jars and buy them as an eco-friendly alternative. Compared to synthetic materials, glass does not require delectable resources or plasticizers in its production. Often, cosmetics are sold in glass bottles or glass jars, which are available in organic supermarkets in a wide range. Why don’t you try out body oils instead of body lotion, as they are commonly stored in glass bottles? Do you miss a plastic-free alternative? Why don’t you contact the manufacturers, and ask for other packaging materials? If we are demanding a difference, there might be a greater offer in the future.

Well hidden: microplastics

Unfortunately, synthetic materials are not only in the packaging of products but also well hidden in the products themselves. This is called microplastics. Body scrub contains microplastics in the form of small beads, however, there are also liquid and jelly-like forms of it utilized as fillers or film-building substances. The liquid forms are too small to be filtered by sewage treatment plants and, in this way, reach the oceans. Microplastics can be found in lotions, hairspray, and toothpaste, but are also included in cleaning detergents. As there are many types of microplastics, it is difficult to recognize which products contain microplastics. Meanwhile, useful apps are helping to detect those products.

Many of our Green PearlsⓇ partners, such as CERVO Mountain Resort Zermatt or ADLER Resorts & Lodges, have developed their own cosmetic lines with natural ingredients. Free of microplastics and animal testing. The ADLER Resorts & Lodges use organic ingredients from Italy, where the hotels are located (e.g. ADLER Lodge RITTEN in South Tyrol and ADLER Spa Resort SICILI in Sicily).

The utilization of micro plastics is forbidden for natural cosmetics and natural cleaning detergents. However, you should check if those products are certified and show the right label.

When washing synthetic fibers, microplastics are washed out as tiny fibers as well. That is why your towels, bathmats, and cleaning rags should be manufactured of biodegradable natural fibers. Specifically, bathmats are usually made from synthetic microfibers. Many drugstores offer plant-based and biodegradable rags and sponges. Alternatively, there are also “catch nets” that attract and retain at least some of the microplastics. 

Re-using is always better

To avoid plastic consumption in the long run, it is always best to use reusable products. Anything reusable avoids plastic trash. Shavers are a common example of re-usable items in the bathroom. Nonetheless, even wasting the blades can occur plastic-free: there are full-metal safety razors, where only the metal blades need to be exchanged. There are some other ideas for reusable items, which you might not have thought of yet: washable cotton pads, reusable “Q-Tips”, washable panty liners or menstrual underwear, and menstrual cups. Just keep your eyes open for plastic-free alternatives, and you might be surprised to what extent you can avoid trash.

Do you like this article? Save it to your Pinterest!