Zero-Waste Shower Routine
Before I learned about harmful plastic pollution, I LOVED trying different body washes from Bath and Body Works and fancy hair care from Sephora. My desire to purchase these products drastically decreased after it became apparent that I was contributing to plastic pollution each time I finished a bottle of shampoo . If you are worried about your own contribution to plastic waste, your shower routine is a great place to make some swaps.
Lush makes package-free shampoo bars and solid conditioners for all hair types. Lush staff is highly educated and can answer most questions you may have about their products. For my hair type, I alternate between their Jason and the Argan Oil and Honey I Washed My Hair shampoo bars. These bars are so moisturizing that I have not bought or needed conditioner in over a year.
Another zero-waste option is purchasing Lush shampoo and conditioner in little black pots. If these products are optimal for your hair type, you can bring the pots back to Lush to close the recycling loop. Last time I was in a Lush, a sales associate told me that the store has not had to use new plastic for their pots in 7 years due to the success of their recycling program!
The simplest switch in your shower routine is using bar soap and a washcloth instead of shower gel and a plastic loofah. Plastic loofahs/poofs are wasteful and harbor a lot of bacteria. For the sake of your health and this planet, toss your loofahs and grab an organic cotton washcloth instead.
Since I started using bar soap, I have paid more attention to the ingredients I am using on my skin. I personally love bar soap from The Weathered Barn, a local shop near me. Do your research and find some local vendors that make their own soaps so you can buy the best possible products for your skin type.
An important point to remember is that you should use all of what you currently own, so you don’t waste. Avoid throwing out your whole bathroom routine and starting from scratch. As you finish your current products, replace them with a sustainable alternative. This makes the process more manageable and affordable.
What have you changed in your shower routine? Leave any and all recommendations in the comments below!
I do not make any money from the links in this post. The links are there to make the low-waste transition easier for you.