The bathroom is a plastic factory in miniature, shampoo bottles, toothpaste tubes, razors, and endless packaging. It’s also one of the most satisfying rooms to green, because durable swaps quickly replace a constant stream of disposables. Here’s how to do it, zone by zone.
Related: our picks for plastic-free dental floss.
Related: our review of Who Gives A Crap covers the plastic-free toilet paper brand in depth. For a wider shortlist, see our best bamboo toilet paper options.
More toilet-paper picks: recycled toilet paper, checking the FSC label, and septic-system safety.
Oral Care
Swap your plastic toothbrush for bamboo, and try toothpaste tablets or toothpaste in a glass jar to skip the non-recyclable tube. See our picks for the best eco-friendly toothpaste tablets.
Hair and Body
Shampoo and conditioner bars eliminate plastic bottles entirely, and refillable systems are a great middle ground if you prefer liquid. Bar soap beats body wash on packaging every time. If you stay with a liquid, choosing a non-toxic body wash comes down to the ingredient list and whether the bottle is refilled. Our zero-waste shampoo review walks through a refillable option in detail.
The plastic in the shower is not just the bottles — our non-toxic shower curtain liner guide compares PVC, PEVA, and EVA liners so the “new shower curtain” smell doesn’t catch you off guard.
Shaving
A safety razor with replaceable blades lasts a lifetime and ends the cycle of plastic disposables. Pair it with a shave bar or cream in low-waste packaging, see our sustainable shaving guide.
For legs, knees and underarms, our safety razor for women guide compares handle length, blade gap and blade cost.
Deodorant
Switch to a natural deodorant in compostable or refillable packaging. We compared options in our Native deodorant review and looked at the brand’s eco-credentials in is Native deodorant sustainable.
If odor control alone isn’t enough and you need actual sweat reduction, our non-toxic antiperspirant guide covers which aluminum compounds are legally required for that and what else to check in the formula.
Fix Leaks Before Replacing Fixtures
Before replacing a working faucet or showerhead, look for leaks. The EPA puts the average household’s leaks at more than 9,300 gallons of water a year, commonly from worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets and other leaking valves, and says fixing the easy ones can save about 10% on a water bill. To test a toilet, put a few drops of food coloring in the tank: if color shows in the bowl within 10 minutes, it has a leak (EPA WaterSense).
When a showerhead does wear out, compare flow rates. A standard showerhead uses 2.5 gallons per minute; one with the WaterSense label must use no more than 2.0 (EPA).
Recycle the Empties
Some bathroom packaging can’t go in curbside bins but is accepted through specialty programs. Before tossing old products, see how to recycle empty beauty products.
Start With One Swap
Don’t replace everything at once, use up what you have, then swap each item for a low-waste version as it runs out. The bathroom transforms itself within a few months.
Towels follow the same rule: use them until they wear thin. When one needs replacing, read the fiber content, not the front of the pack. Most textiles sold as “bamboo” are rayon made from bamboo, typically produced with toxic chemicals, and must be labeled that way; only mechanically processed bamboo fiber can be called bamboo (FTC).
Air freshener sprays are a common source of undisclosed fragrance chemicals in a bathroom — our non-toxic air freshener guide covers what actually gets listed on the label.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a zero waste bathroom?
Use up what you already own, then replace each item with a low-waste version as it runs out. The easiest first swaps are a bamboo toothbrush, a bar of soap, a shampoo bar, and a safety razor.
What are the easiest zero waste bathroom swaps?
Bar soap instead of body wash, a shampoo bar or refill instead of bottles, a bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste tablets, a safety razor, and reusable cotton rounds are the simplest, highest-impact swaps.
Is a safety razor really better than disposables?
Yes. A safety razor is a one-time purchase that lasts for years, with only thin recyclable metal blades to replace, versus a constant stream of plastic disposable razors or cartridges that can’t be recycled.
How do I recycle empty shampoo and beauty bottles?
Many bathroom empties aren’t accepted curbside but can go through specialty take-back programs. Rinse them and check brand or retailer recycling programs, see our guide to recycling empty beauty products.
Ready to Start Reducing Your Waste?
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