fairdare
  • blog
  • Fairdare
  • ethical brands
  • zero-waste
  • zero-waste meals
  • about

zero-waste bathroom check-in

3/16/2016

3 Comments

 
Picture
his | hers
i like to continually check in with my zero-waste efforts to see if there are further steps i can take as time passes.  during the last few weeks, i have been focused on my bathroom.  

here are the steps i've employed to keep moving in the right direction:
1. reduce needs and give away excess
2. list everything left
3. evaluate zero-waste-ness of each item
4. research and try alternatives as necessary
5. repeat steps 1-4  :)

1.  i try to keep the number of items i use small...that means no q-tips, nail polish, or collections of lipstick for me.  i regularly go through the drawers and make sure they only contain essentials.  we say no to freebies and samples at the dentist office, hotels, or in stores.  the only make-up i usually wear day to day is lip balm, so what i have lasts a long time.  i love that all of our bathroom items fit into the drawers under the sink...and that there's no trash bin in the bathroom.

2-4.  this check-in involved listing each and every thing in our bathroom (well, not each and every one of his things).  :)  one by one, i considered if that item was as zero-waste as possible.  if there was room for improvement, i tried to address it.  i'm so happy with the few changes i made this time around and now feel even better about our bathroom.
Picture
here's what's currently in our bathroom:

teeth:
**toothbrush- brush with bamboo + refuse the dentist freebies
*toothpaste- *baking soda (no coconut oil, because it clogs the drain) or tom's (because we've had some tooth issues + i want to be safe)...but toothpaste tubes, you haunt me
*floss- using what we've got, then trying *unraveled twisted threads from silk fabric (compostable)

shower:
**soap- bulk soap bars
**shampoo- bulk shikai
-conditioner- currently acure repairing, but *bulk shikai for summer when it's not so dry
*razor- preserve recycled + refillable + recyclable handle (trying to work up the nerve to try a *safety razor, because i am the queen of nicks as it is)
**shower curtain- have nylon one that can be washed.  if i ever need to replace will try *hemp
**bath mat- cotton + washable
**towels- one for each of us is enough

face:
-face lotion- acure face lotion (the face oil brand i liked disappeared, so i tried *sweet almond oil, but it seemed to just sit on top of my skin feeling oily)...i don't use any once winter is over, because my own oils are enough in warmer weather  :)
​**lip balm- homemade in reused container
**face powder- homemade corn starch + green clay in reused container
**blush- tiny natural fusions, tried *bulk cinnamon but doesn't work for me
**bamboo brush- for powder + blush
**lash curler- same one i've had since i was maybe 13
-mascara- rarely use

hair:
**comb- longtime companion
-hairspray- use sparingly- tried *lemon juice + water recipe, but did nothing for my fine, thin hair
**hair elastics- reusable for years 
**bobby pins- ballet buns have given us a lifetime supply- i reuse the same 2
**hair claw- i've had mine for 20 years!
**scissors- for cutting hair
**hairdryer- i have one but can't remember the last time i used it

other:
**deoderant- *crystal or stronger in the summer
**nail clippers- had forever
**toilet paper- seventh generation recycled + paper wrapped - from our grocery store 

monthly:
**tampons- no applicator + organic- i have tried 2 menstrual cups, but can't use with my issues (please do try them though- amazing zero-waste option!  i appreciated this video showing and comparing cups.)
**liners- instead of disposable liners, i'm using period panties (or these are organic cotton)

*   =lower waste choices
** =zero-waste (or lower waste) choices that i am happy with
-   =room for improvement

next steps:
- keep trying to go baking soda only for toothpaste- ask dentist's opinion at next appointment
- floss more + buy a piece of silk to try for compostable floss
- try shikai conditioner + go bulk
- recycle razor handle when it breaks (send back to them) + try a safety razor??
- look for recyclable hairspray and face lotion containers when these need replacing

love,
jane
3 Comments
Kari
3/16/2016 01:07:53 pm

Thank you so much for this. I continue to find you the most practical and realistic of the zero-waste bloggers. You don't make me feel like a failure when something they suggest doesn't work for me, and you always seem to have good less-waste alternatives.

Reply
jane link
3/17/2016 04:45:34 pm

i appreciate this enormously! i am just trying my best to keep moving forward, and it means so much to hear that there is something encouraging to be found here! :) thank you, friend!

Reply
r.
1/7/2017 07:47:04 am

you can use coconut oil for the teeth, just do not spit it in the sink afterwards! use your biowaste bin. :)

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    on a journey toward zero-waste, simplicity, + compassion :: daring to choose fair one choice at a time
    Picture
    Picture


    categories

    All
    Fair Brands
    Fairdare
    Garden
    Made
    Reads
    Simple Budget
    Simple Holidays
    Simple Home
    Simple Wardrobe
    Simply Said
    Sustainable Self
    Wanderings
    Yum
    Zero Waste

    archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    all images by jane unless otherwise noted. copyright 2023.
    subscribe via email

    RSS Feed

    Follow