We do a number of things every day to take care of the planet, but the bathroom is a place where we sometimes forget to make efforts to reduce our environmental footprint. Do you want to do more for the environment without compromising your beauty or hygiene routine? Here are five eco-friendly bathroom ideas.
Replace Disposable Razors
Disposable razors are mostly made of plastic and are not recyclable. Since their blades wear out quickly, there are a lot of them in landfills. So, what are the alternatives? First, there is the epilator: a machine that pulls hairs and lasts for many years. There also exists a forever razor: the safety razor. You can get a lifetime of use from it since all you have to do is change the blades, which can be used several times before they lose their edge.
Take a Chance on Cloth Toilet Paper
Many are reluctant to swap traditional toilet paper for cloth wipes. Often, it is only a matter of perception and habit. All you need to do is place a basket next to the toilet to hold these pieces of absorbent fabric. Once used, they are kept in a waterproof bag until the next laundry day. This is a great thing to do for the environment, especially because we know that even recycled toilet paper has a major environmental footprint. Note that the use of cloth wipes is only recommended for urine.
Buy Bamboo Hairbrushes and Toothbrushes
Bamboo is one of the most eco-friendly plants in the world, most notably because of its very high rate of growth. And this material is 100 percent biodegradable. That’s why more and more people are using hairbrushes or toothbrushes made with bamboo handles.
Switch to Bar Shampoo, Conditioner and Soap
We know that we have to eliminate plastic packaging if we want to reduce our environmental footprint. In the bathroom, it is best to opt for packaging-free skin and hair soaps. They can be put in small mesh bags that, when hung in the shower, are very convenient. Of course, these products are just as effective as their bottled counterparts.
Avoid Products That Contain Plastic Microbeads
Did you know that many beauty products, like face cleansers, contain plastic microbeads? They are used to exfoliate the epidermis, that is to say to remove dead skin cells. The problem is that they pollute our waterways. Many companies now use fully biodegradable mineral-based silica microbeads. Support them!
Install Eco-Friendly Plumbing Fixtures
Clean water is worth its weight in gold, but in Quebec only a small percentage is used for preparing food. It should be the other way around! At home, it can be easy to waste water without realizing it. The first step in reducing how much we use is to change our plumbing fixtures, especially in the bathroom where our beauty routine consumes a lot of water! It’s time to install low-flow shower heads and faucets. Also, a toilet with the ENERGY STAR logo will use less water, so it is always the better choice. And of course, you should take quick showers and even avoid baths altogether (or only fill them up a third of the way).
As you can see, it is possible to simultaneously take care of yourself and of the planet!
