Making The Switch: Ways You Can Improve Sustainability In The Bathroom
Ashleigh Imms
Growing up as a 2000’s baby, I feel almost embarrassed that I didn’t start understanding my personal impact on the planet until just over a year ago. I vaguely remember learning the term ‘carbon footprint’ at some stage in school, however back then it meant nothing to me. We hear the phrase ‘ignorance is bliss’ in regards to many things, yet when it comes to the planet we live on — the planet we may or may not plan to have children on, ignorance does far more damage than we realise.
Naturally, it’s nothing short of overwhelming when we learn that plastic is basically the devil. Because well, it’s everywhere, it’s in everything. As stated by the WWF, Australia alone contributes to nearly 3 million tonnes of plastic with a scary 12% being recycled. Where does the other 88% go? Almost half will end up in our oceans. While this is devastating to learn; rather than wallowing in our own guilt, there are small but bountiful steps we can take to reduce our individual plastic usage and ultimately our contribution to the waste.
Making the switch from products you’ve grown up using may seem unsettling and you may be unsure of where to begin. To assist in easing your switch, I have compiled a list of many different products you can choose to begin with in the bathroom.
Solid Shampoo
Changing from regular liquid shampoo and conditioner is one of the easiest switches to make in the bathroom. It might sound a little weird at first, but truly it’s no different to using a bar of soap! To use the product, simply rub it onto wet hands, lather all over your hair and rinse. Reader Amber Batten uses the brand Ethique and made the switch after a recommendation from her friend. Amber described her hair transformation after using their products as “life changing” and explained she no longer suffers from dandruff which she was “super self-conscious” about.
According to Ethique, one 60 gram shampoo bar is equivalent to 3 bottles of liquid shampoo and one 60 gram conditioner bar is equivalent to 5 bottles. In 2019 alone, Ethique customers helped save almost 3 million litres of water.
Amber uses ‘Heali Kiwi’ (shampoo) and ‘The Guardian’ (conditioner).
Bamboo Toothbrush
It is no secret that many products are now turning to bamboo as a material over plastic, which we love to see here at WARRANT. The main difference between bamboo and plastic is the fact that bamboo is compostable and biodegradable, meaning once we dispose of a bamboo product such as a toothbrush, it will not take thousands of years to decompose like a plastic toothbrush would.
According to Trvst, it also requires less water to grow and less pesticides due to the anti-fungal properties the plant naturally contains.
Bamboo toothbrushes are available almost anywhere now, being another easy switch to make in the bathroom for a more sustainable lifestyle. Reader Bethany Ducksbury found one by Grants of Australia at her local Woolworths for $2. She finds that while bamboo toothbrushes can be purchased cheaper than plastic types, they also last longer and are “less harsh” on her gums.
“Bamboo toothbrushes are available almost anywhere now, being another easy switch to make in the bathroom for a more sustainable lifestyle.”
Deodorant Paste
While solid shampoo and a bamboo toothbrush are relatively smooth switches to make, deodorant paste tends to be daunting to many people and that’s okay. Many of us have grown up using aerosol deodorants or roll-ons, and the idea of using our fingers to spread a paste on our underarms might make you a little uncomfortable at first. It may also appeal less as it can be perceived as a less convenient way to apply deodorant. Aerosol deodorants contain ozone depleting substances which according to the Australian government, are chemicals that destroy the earth’s ozone layer. Not only can your typical deodorant be bad for the environment, it may also be bad for you. By using products labelled as ‘anti-perspirants’ or products that contain anti-perspirant properties, we are blocking the pores that release sweat. Sweating is natural, it’s good for you! But it can also be smelly, which is what we want to avoid. I’ve done the work for you, here are a few brands to try and even an at home recipe if that’s your cup of tea!
1.No Pong
Reader Elizah Pretty describes No Pong as being very “easy” to apply and enjoyed its convenience in comparison to her at home recipe. While she has nothing negative to say about the product, she decided against repurchasing due to the price tag. Our editor Holly has also tried No Pong, which she illustrates as having a “smooth” application and recommends it as a “great” transitioning deodorant. Holly’s exclusive tip is to purchase a few tins at once to get the most out of the postage price.
2. WooHoo Body
Editor Holly has also tried WooHoo, finding it less effective than others, yet more gentle on the skin. She recommends the ‘Mellow’ scent if you suffer from sensitive skin.
3. Viva La Body
After trying my own fair share of deodorant pastes, I have taken a liking to the ‘Sensitive’ deodorant stick by Viva La Body. It’s a great transitioning deodorant due to being in a cardboard tube that you can push up and apply to the skin without using your fingers. It can be a little tricky to push up on colder days, however regarding the product itself, I have reacted to almost every natural deodorant except for this. It even has a slight scent which I adore.
4. Ethique
I am currently trialling Ethique’s solid shampoo bar in the ‘rustic’ scent. I typically give a new deodorant about two weeks before a proper review, however I wanted to include my thoughts so far in this piece. It is probably the easiest to apply out of those I’ve tried, I simply hold the bar in my hand and rub it into my armpits, it gathers warmth quite quickly and doesn’t take long to apply evenly. It lasts all day, the scent is subtle but also quite pleasant and so far I haven’t experienced a reaction despite having very sensitive skin. Next to Viva La Body, this is definitely a new favourite. Disclaimer: the ‘rustic’ bar contains almond oil.
5. D.I.Y
Our reader Elizah has trialled two recipes at home, one being a mixture of coconut oil and bicarb soda, the other being a mixture of bicarb and pink salt. She swears by the bicarb and pink salt mixture. Elizah feels more “in tune” with herself, using a deodorant with such little ingredients she is able to recognise any scents that may “trigger” her allergies. She also finds it a much cheaper alternative and uses a smaller amount to get the same coverage a “conventional deodorant” would give her. Our Holly also has her own recipe, with coconut oil, arrowroot powder, bicarb soda and essential oil which is available in WARRANT’s ‘Ideas for Isolation’ zine which you can get in our digital store.
All the deodorant brand’s mentioned are available for purchase via Flora and Fauna.
Reusable Makeup Pads
One thing I was guilty of, along with many of my friends was the amount of makeup wipes and disposable cotton pads I would go through after a night out. Not only is making the switch to reusable pads great for the environment, it also does wonders for our pockets. Whilst we can get a plastic packet of cotton pads for under $5 at the supermarket, the repurchases in the long term will accumulate and I don’t know about you, but I’m all for saving money where I can! Reader Chloe Ewen made the switch after hearing one of her favourite YouTubers did. She purchased reusable makeup pads from Amazon and since using them, her face has felt “much clearer” and she has saved a noticeable amount of money.
Safety Razor
Sustainable Living stated that an estimated two billion disposable razors are discarded each year. Disposable razors are not recyclable, meaning they contribute an enormous amount to the plastic waste that ends up in our oceans. Not only this, but replacing them when needed is money we could avoid spending. A safety razor has a single blade, as opposed to the 4-5 on disposable razors, meaning less irritation on your skin due to only one blade swiping you instead of multiple. Safety razors also give you better control and a smoother shave, there are various blades available for different uses, such as a clean shave, or a fade. The razor itself retails an average of anywhere between $40-70, and a box of 5 blades is around $3. If treated well, the razor can last for many years and the blades are recyclable if disposed correctly. Before making the switch myself, I used to spend an average of $120 annually on disposable razors. I purchased my first safety razor in September 2019, for $43.95 and I have spent approximately $20 on blades since then. I have much smoother shaves, and much less irritation. The money I have saved, and the reduction in my plastic waste is a huge bonus. Getting used to shaving with a safety razor can be a little tricky at first, but it’s second nature to me now.
Whether you’ve read this article after washing your hair with liquid shampoo or solid shampoo, we are all in this together. Maybe you have every single item on this list, maybe you’ve never heard of any of them. The point is, we are all here together on the same earth. We need to start looking after it a little better, one sustainable switch at a time.
What will you be switching?