12 months to zero waste
Our zero-waste journey continues! If you followed along in January, your kitchen should be producing considerably less waste than it was in 2023. Have you noticed a difference in what you’re carrying to the curb? For February, let’s move to the bathroom to see what we can do there. While the list may seem long, the changes in this area are actually surprisingly easy to make.
Month 2: Review the Loo
In the Tub
Start here: Reach for the bar
It sounds crazy, but there was a study done in Zurich that calculated that liquid hand and body soap had nearly 10x the carbon footprint of bar soap. Ten Times!! The factors weighed were many, but the main points were manufacturing, use, and end-of-life disposal. First, during manufacturing, solid bars not only skip the water but also come together with fewer synthetic and questionable ingredients. Second, solid bars are highly concentrated- in the same study, it was found that during a 30-second hand wash, the average consumer used .35g of bar soap compared to 2.3g of liquid, that’s nearly 6x the amount to do the same job! Last, most bars come in little to no packaging, meaning that they are completely zero-waste once you use it all up. Curious about solid shampoo? Ask us about High-End Hippie… these salon-quality bars from Vernon are life-changing! Added bonus: they’re great for traveling too!
Bars not for you? No problem, once you empty your current shampoo bottle, bring it down to plentiFILL and we’ll find a liquid option for you to fill it back up! This not only reduces packaging waste but can also be cost-effective in the long run.
On the Counter
Start here: Ditch disposables
Have you ever considered where our plastic toothbrushes go when we throw them out? Nowhere…. The first nylon-bristled toothbrush was introduced in 1938, shortly after that they were paired with the plastic handle, and every single one of them since then is still in a landfill somewhere. Now in 2024, that translates to well over a billion per year! Simple switch: opt for biodegradable bamboo instead or if you prefer electric, we even have compostable heads for any Phillips Sonicare. Sadly, it's a similar story with disposable razors, and can we talk about the cost of those disposable blades? Consider investing in a plastic-free alternative like the Leaf shave system, which will not only help to save the planet but your wallet too. It’ll be the last razor you ever buy!
The simplest swap: Change out your single-use makeup remover wipes with super soft and washable cotton facial rounds.
On the pot
Start here: Save the trees
Toilet paper is probably something we generally don’t give much thought to until we really need to. We all have our preferences, but the next time you’re in the TP aisle at the grocery store, take a moment to read and consider the contents. Most commercial toilet paper is made from virgin wood pulp, meaning that while it is technically a “by-product” of the lumber industry, there is still a whole lot of processing and chemicals used to get it from wood to flush. Better alternatives come in the form of recycled paper, or bamboo, which is a rapidly renewable resource and often more sustainable than traditional options. Another excellent way to reduce your impact is to simply reduce your overall consumption by adding a bidet to your routine. Check out HelloTushy.ca for cost-effective, easy-to-install, toilet paper-saving options.
Next-level enviro-warrior bonus points: once your new bidet is installed, ask us about reusable toilet paper… we’ll talk you through it.
This list is just a few of the easy swaps that can be made to make your bathroom a greener and cleaner space in your home. If you want to explore even more options from toothpaste to deodorant, stop by for a chat anytime, we’ve got you!
Next month, we’ll talk about cleaning these spaces! Have you heard about Mint yet?