5 smart alternatives for a plastic-free bathroom
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans. This means 300 million tons of waste. It is enough to ask questions about its consumption and think about alternatives that allow you to get a little closer to a “zero waste” lifestyle. Here are 5 alternatives that may not immediately come to mind, but will greatly simplify the amount of plastic and chemicals in your bathroom.
Solid air conditioning
If you are familiar with soap and solid shampoo, conditioner is still not self-evident given the nourishing, solid care. We imagine a bar of soap that lathers, and lathering is not what conditioner is supposed to do.
However, many nature-friendly brands offer this alternative to complement an already partially fortified hair regimen. Solid conditioner can be enriched with shea butter, avocado or castor oil and then simply rub into the lengths to apply the creamy layer to the hair.
Let it sit for a few minutes and you’re done! No more liquid conditioners packed with chemicals and sold in plastic containers. Especially since solid conditioners are known to last longer! Therefore, it is sustainable and profitable.
Natural and solid solvent
It’s innovative and unusual! Until a few months ago, there was no alternative to liquid nail polish remover full of acetones. It runs everywhere, irritates fingers and hands, and smells aggressive. Faced with this observation, two young Bretons, Mathilde and Gaëlle, decided to start their solid, soft and natural solvent project: they created Delienne and launched the first zero-waste solvent on the market.
So far, it has won over its buyers. To use it, simply rub the bread on a cotton pad or tissue (preferably reusable), leave it for a few seconds and rub your nail to remove the polish.
Zero waste deodorant, chemical free
Although chemical deodorants can hinder your sweating process, natural deodorants are better for your health and the planet. The solid block, which looks like a small bar of soap, is enriched with natural ingredients to fight against odor-causing bacteria. Because yes, when your sweat doesn’t smell good, it’s not the sweat itself, it’s the bacteria.
To use, apply a small amount to water and apply directly to your underarms. You can even apply it directly to your still wet body when you get out of the shower. A thin enough layer of cream is applied to neutralize bad odors without perspiration, a natural phenomenon, and without clogging pores.
Toothpaste: lozenges, powder, paste?
If everyone used zero-waste toothpaste in tablet, pebble or powder form, we would save millions of plastic containers. Moreover, the composition of ordinary toothpastes is not always healthy: among preservatives, foaming agents, microplastics… Some substances can even be endocrine disruptors or carcinogens.
So we prefer zero waste toothpaste. It exists in several forms. It can be found in solid form to rub onto your moistened toothbrush. You can also find zero-waste toothpaste in tablet form that you chew directly, or in powder form that is mixed with warm water into a paste similar to regular toothpaste.
In short: everyone can find their own account.
Oriculi and reusable silicone cotton swab
This last alternative is not a product, but almost a tool. There are even alternatives to cotton swabs. Oriculi is one. It is shaped like a stick, with a curved tip that breaks up and collects earwax without pushing it deep into the ear. It can then be washed and reused.
The principle of a silicone cotton swab is almost the same: only it looks more like a classic cotton swab than an oriculi, which has a slightly more original shape. We wash it with soap and water, dry it and reuse it as often as we like.
