7 tips to reduce the environmental impact of your bathroom routine

Most of us spend between 30 and 90 minutes a day in the bathroom and it’s where you’ll likely find more products and gadgets than in your average pantry. We’ve put together a host of tips and ideas that are accessible to everyone to help reduce waste, create space and green out in the bathroom.

Tip #1 – Commit to using up what you have before you purchase more. 

There’s nothing more cluttering to the often precious storage space in your bathroom than too many products. Christa from Rose City Professional Organizers offers this advice to reduce clutter, save money and prevent waste:

"When we help our clients declutter and organize their bathrooms, we usually find many unused lotions and soaps that they’ve either purchased or been gifted. Yet, clients will say they have one or two favourites they prefer to stick with, and that they probably will never even open or try these other products. We advise them to donate the unopened items to a shelter or community group in need. This way, someone who doesn't have the luxury of purchasing these products for themselves can be blessed, the product won't go to waste, and our clients can free up space in their home for the items that they actually like and will use." Christa Jones, Rose City Professional Organizers

Tip #2 – Switch to solid, container-free products wherever possible.

A good majority of plastics consumed in the home come from the bathroom and it’s almost all single use (think shampoo bottles, toothpaste tubes and cosmetic containers). The easiest way to become a part of the solution is to choose products with no-or-low packaging. A single set of Wild Prairie’s all natural shampoo & conditioner bars will eliminate up to 25 plastic bottles AND provide the ultimate in sustainable hair care. Next, ditch that detergent-filled bottle of body wash for highly sustainable bar soap like our Oatmeal Milk & Honey, made to soothe and cleanse the driest skin. 

Another great solid alternative includes toothpaste tablets like those made by Edmonton’s own Change Toothpaste. Designed to be the same as the perfect dose of toothpaste, the chewable, cleansing tabs come in compostable packaging and are great alternatives to plastic toothpaste tubes (and a great travel space-saver!). Find them online or at your favourite eco-retail store. ($9.95/65 tablets. www.changetoothpaste.com)

Tip #3 – Refill your Empties.

The last decade has seen a noticeable surge in the number of sustainable lifestyle stores such as Edmonton’s rePlenish where you will find a wide range of eco-friendly products like toothbrushes, cleaning supplies and other sundry items. Wild Prairie Soap Company’s flagship retail location offers customers the option to refill their favourite products, including Hand & Body Lotions, Body Wash and Soaking Salts and even pick up discounted soap ends. 

Tip #4 – Add plants to your space.

Nothing turns a bathroom into more of a sanctuary than some humidity loving plants, like a beautiful asparagus fern or Philodendron Heartleaf. Choose plants that love high humidity and lower light conditions and improve your air quality in the meantime!

Tip #5 – Avoid high-waste accessories.

Look for alternatives to bodycare accessories such as metal razors, natural loofah sponges and bamboo toothbrushes to replace those non-recyclable plastic options. You might pay more upfront, but in the end, they last longer and don’t add to the environmental footprint of your bathroom routine.

Tip #6 – Find recycling alternatives for hard-to-recycle beauty containers.

New on the recycling scene is Pact Collective, who offer consumers the ability to send their multi-component beauty products in for deconstruction and repurposing. According to Pact, “The beauty and wellness industry generates over 120 billion packages each year, and only a fraction actually gets recycled.” For more information about this initiative and their commitment to cleaning up the beauty industry, visit pact.com or drop your hard-to-recycle items off at participating retailers, including Edmonton’s Wild Prairie Soap Company, rePlenish and Pura Botanicals. Calgary consumers can visit Hudson’s Bay stores or Routine. 

Tip #7 – Use natural cleaning products.

Despite the arsenal of products marketed for cleaning the loo, the ultimate in friendly cleaners can be extremely easy, low cost and effective against soap scrum, grime and bacteria. According to the experts at Beach Clean Love, the ultimate in natural bathroom cleansing for mirrors, bathtubs, sinks and glass shower doors is a spray bottle filled with 1 cup white vinegar and 2 Tbsp of dish detergent. Leave on shower glass doors for a minimum of 1 hour, then rinse with a damp sponge and warm water. Dry them with a microfibre cloth for a sparkling and streak-free finish. 

Visit bleachpraylove.com for more amazing eco-friendly cleaning tips for the entire home.

Tip #8 – Reduce your water usage.

Bath when you need it, but showering uses up to 50% less water than bathing. This not only eases your utility bill, but also conserves one of our most precious resources.

Don't forget, small changes CAN make a major impact. Spread the word and help us teach more people how to green up their bathroom routine!