May 5, 2016

My Husband Does Better: A Zero Waste Bathroom

I thought I was doing ok after reading 5 simple ways to minimize plastic, but then I read an article with suggestions on how to minimize packaging waste in the bathroom. I realized that my husband does just about every one of their suggestions while I do almost none. So gold star to the hubby!

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What does he do? How can I improve? Lets take a look.

Shampoo

He gave up on shampoo. His hair is so short that he found he didn't need it. And when he does he just uses soap. I, on the other hand, have both shampoo and conditioner bottles. Over the years I've tried a number of alternative products to get my hair clean (like apple cider vinegar and baking soda), with varying success.  However I between the moves I've just gone back to shampoo and conditioner as a default. I am trying to stretch out the time between washes and use cornstarch as a dry shampoo. I probably will try a no poo regimen or try something like a shampoo bar, but I want to use up the shampoo I've got now first.

Soap

Hubby uses bar soap exclusively. A while ago, like maybe a year or so we bought a huge case of bar soap from a place like Costco and we still have some. I use body wash and plastic loofah. I bought the body wash in bulk so it is probably saving in the amount of plastic, but it's still not the best option. When it is time to change out this loofah I will probably change to using a washcloth. I have some seeds for a natural loofah, but from what I remember they are too hard and stiff to use on my body. I should also probably make my own body wash. It wouldn't be hard, probably just some castile soap diluted down.

Razors

Hubby uses a refillable metal razor with a boar bristle shave brush and uses a mug for his soap. He buys the soap from a local vendor at Palafox Market, the local farmer's market. I use a disposable plastic razor. I don't use shaving cream, just the lather from the body wash. Now, I am able to keep the disposable razor for quite a while. Probably far longer than I should, but I don't get cut and the shave is close enough for me. I keep asking to try using his razor, but haven't yet. I intend to try it out before my pack of disposables is done and then I can just buy a refillable safety razor rather than buying disposable parts. I've watched a few videos about techniques for shaving armpits and knees using a safety razor. You have to be careful because they definitely require you to shave differently.


Hair Products and Make Up

I feel like I'm a pretty low maintenance woman when it comes to hair and make up. However, I do have the full foundation, powder, blush, eye shadow, mascara, eyebrow powder, lipstick routine I wear pretty regularly. I generally just blow dry my hair and leave it down. I'll maybe add one or two products in while my hair is still wet, but no mousse or hairspray. Hubby, of course, neither styles his hair or wears make up.

Moisturizer

I apply body oil when I get out of the shower, which unfortunatley is from a plastic container. My usual face moisturizer is coconut oil. I usually do it alone, but I do have some almond oil and castor oil I sometimes mix with it. This is probably the one non-traditional thing I use. Although I do still have other moisturizers particularly ones with sunscreen for my face. Skin cancer is no joke!

Toothbrush

This is finally one area where we tie! We both had been using standard plastic toothbrushes. Well after reading about bathroom options that use less waste I purchased some bamboo toothbrushes for us. The ones we have are bamboo handles with nylon bristles. Still some plastic waste, but far less than a standard toothbrush. The only true waste free alternative is a bamboo handle with boar hair bristles. I seriously thought about buying them, but they had a harder bristle than I wanted and they ship from Germany. I figured the shipping pollution might outweigh the pollution from the bristles. Although I might try them in the future.

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My Husband Does Better: A Zero Waste Bathroom | There are many ways to reduce waste in the bathroom, my husband appears to have me beat.

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12 comments:

  1. The makeup part makes it hard for any of us girls to win even if we just wear it occasionally.

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    1. I agree. I know if I were to make my own I could further cut down on my waste, but I'm just not there yet.

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  2. I've never heard of a bamboo toothbrush. I may have to give that a try!

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    1. I'm really liking ours! The bristles are still plastic (nylon), but it still cuts down on the amount of plastic going to waste.

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  3. It's so cool that you give your husband credit for the awesome things that he does. I also love that you go through each of the categories, noting what could be improved on for yourself, while also showing us how we can improve too. Kudos to you both and thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks! He didn't do it for the sustainability aspect, but he certainly is achieving the same effect.

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  4. Very interesting. We use a lot of wipes instead of tp ;) Trips some people out. The one thing I learned recently is that all of those plastic bottles can be recycled. I was forgetting to put a lot of our bathroom waste into recycling. Now I try to remember but I still need to make a recycling bin for our upstairs.

    Thanks for linking up at #SustainableSundays

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    1. Yes most people forget to recycle stuff from the bathroom! Having another recycle bin is a great idea.

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  5. Several years ago I started buying my Zum bars by the block. I just ask the clerk at Whole Foods to order it and they call me when it come in. I cut it into slices the size we like. A block usually lasts us about 3-4 months. It comes wrapped in paper.

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    1. It's always nice when stores work with you to order items how you like it.

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  6. Castile soap makes a great body wash! Here are my favorite Earth-friendly hygiene products to help inspire you. :-)

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    1. I've only used castile soap for hand soap. I'll have to try it as a body wash.

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