With climate change and global pollution, it is necessary for consumption habits to change to achieve true sustainability. One of the first steps environmentalists and experts on the subject have called for is to eliminate or limit single-use plastics. In this article we will teach you how to have a bathroom without plastics.
Plastic is not in itself harmful. Since its invention it has brought great benefits to humanity. For example, in the medical industry it has made it possible to develop prostheses and devices for surgical interventions. However, its excessive use has brought an impact on the environment.
The Center for International Environmental Law, in agreement with 7 other organizations, published in 2019 a study on the adverse effects of plastic in the world.
This report states that there are various substances used in the production and released in domestic use of plastics that are associated with the development of various diseases, such as cancer, reproductive problems, neurological damage and changes in body weight.
Importance of reducing the consumption of plastics
Reducing the use of plastic has many environmental benefits, as it avoids a large amount of solid waste that is difficult to degrade. In addition, it contributes to preserving the fauna and flora of the world and water sources.
Also, reducing plastics at home can help you avoid being in contact with particles that can be negative for your health.
A 2019 World Wide Fund for Nature report noted that about 75 percent of all plastic produced in the world by that date had already been turned into waste and that one-third of that waste had entered marine, terrestrial or freshwater ecosystems as pollution.
This has generated a very large environmental imbalance, so citizens must act to mitigate its impact.
Ways to turn the bathroom into a plastic-free environment
Turning the bathroom into a plastic-free environment is an easy task. However, you will likely need to make a lot of changes to your shopping choices to choose eco-friendly and healthy alternatives.
Although sometimes they seem to involve greater expenses, in reality, in the long term, they may be cheaper investments. Many of the products we will point out are reusable for several years.
Replace plastic containers
Most packaging of personal hygiene products is made of plastic. However, home or decoration stores often sell glass or ceramic containers for storage.
In addition, you can choose some nice ones that contribute to the decoration of the bathroom. Similarly, paper baskets are usually made of plastic. However, it is also possible to find them in other materials, such as aluminum or ceramics.
Use rechargeable and sustainable cleaning products
After changing the plastic containers in the bathroom for some made of ceramic or glass, you will have to fill them with soap, oil, conditioner, shampoo and other toiletries.
Every day brands that allow you to recharge your own packaging with various products for personal cleaning are more popular. In this way, it is important that you locate a store of this type near your home.
Use soap and shampoo stick
Replacing toiletries with plastic packaging-free ones is an excellent step to conserve the environment. However, many traditional toiletries, even if packaged in glass containers, may contain chemicals, such as parabens, which act as endocrine disruptors.
Bar soaps and shampoos are usually organic and natural, so they are a perfect alternative for a plastic-free and eco-friendly bathroom. You can also make your own natural soaps at home.
Leave shaving blades disposable
Razor blades, almost entirely, are made of plastic and have a very short service life. However, there are alternatives in various materials such as bamboo or steel that allow prolonged use in time for up to 10 years.
Only the shaving blade should be changed every time it wears out. Make sure you buy a machine that is easy to find parts for later.
Change your plastic brushes for bamboo brushes
Both toothbrushes and hair brushes can be replaced by bamboo or wood brushes. They are plastic-free and also biodegradable.
Even bamboo toothbrushes can be buried in the garden. They have an average duration equal to that of other brushes. However, they do not generate hazardous waste for the environment.
Use dental floss from natural fibers
Did you know that most dental floss or floss is made of plastic? In general, they are produced from nylon or polyethylene.
However, it is increasingly common to find ecological alternatives. In this regard, the most frequent are made of natural fibers of bamboo or corn. They work the same and even taste minty too.
Change your menstrual hygiene products
Menstrual cups and washable cloth pads are eco-friendly alternatives to sanitary napkins and disposable tampons, which contain packaging and plastic materials that generate a lot of pollution.
The menstrual cup is made of certified medical silicone and can last up to 10 years. On the other hand, cloth towels are washed after each use and work for several years, depending on the care given to them.
Although there may be many doubts and insecurities when it comes to changing such intimate products, the safety of these alternatives has been demonstrated by various studies. In this regard, an article published by the Colombian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ensures that the menstrual cup is a comfortable, safe and efficient alternative.
Replace plastic sponges
Most sponges or brushes to scrub the body in the shower are made of plastic, although this is not always the case. However, there are natural fiber alternatives that are very efficient and do not affect the skin.
One of the most popular, especially in tropical or subtropical countries, is the scouring pad of the luffa plant, which also works as a powerful exfoliant.
Use coconut oil or natural moisturizers
Coconut oil has many properties for the skin and hair. Therefore, it can be an excellent alternative to traditional creams and moisturizers that come packaged in plastic.
You can use it with sugar to make an exfoliant, without adding anything to moisturize the skin, or on the nails to strengthen them, as well as on the ends of the hair to give shine and hydration.
In addition, it is a natural ingredient free of petroleum derivatives or endocrine disruptors. Be sure to buy one in a glass jar.
If you don’t like coconut oil very much, you can also opt for other natural products such as almond oil, shea butter or cocoa butter.
Buy reusable makeup remover wipes
To remove makeup, wet wipes or cotton balls are usually used. However, they can be a major source of pollution.
For example, the Society for Marine Conservation notes that wet towels are responsible for most sewer clogging problems. An excellent alternative, which is also economical, is to buy or make cloth wipes that you can wash and reuse.
Switch to bamboo ear flakes
Ear cleaning cups usually have plastic swabs that are used for less than a minute and end up in the trash. However, in the market there are cups with the bamboo cane, so they generate a lower environmental impact and can be packed in a glass container.
A clean and plastic-free bathroom
Once you have removed the plastic products from your bathroom, you will also have to look at the ones you use for cleaning. The bathroom is an area of the house that is used every day and it stores objects for personal care that are in contact with delicate areas of the body.
It is a space that is exposed to many bacteria and moisture. That is why it is essential to do a correct cleaning.
However, if you want your home to be free of plastics, you should also check the products you use for hygiene. Therefore, we advise you to buy ecological soaps and disinfectants that you can store in glass containers and refill whenever they run out.
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