As we attempt to remove plastic from the bathroom, it can be overwhelming when you think about all of the items you require that are either made from plastic or are stored in a plastic container. A majority of our towels and washcloths contain polyester and/or other synthetic fibers, while almost all of the toiletries we use are stored in some sort of plastic container. The key to not becoming overwhelmed, and as a result giving up, is to replace one item at a time with something that represents a sustainable alternative to plastic. We have already discussed toothbrushes and floss several week ago. I would now like to focus on two additional common bathroom items: shampoo and toothpaste.
Popular thinking says that there are few, if any, alternatives to purchasing shampoo and conditioner that come in plastic bottles. This is not true since shampoo and conditioner in the form of bars are becoming an increasingly popular plastic-free option. The caveat here is that not all bars are able to produce a sufficient amount of suds, especially for people with longer hair. When using a shampoo bar, you need to rub it between your hands for a few seconds before rubbing it throughout your hair. I have tried a brand called "anihana" and can attest that it does produce sufficient suds, though I do have shorter hair than most. Other brands that I would recommend trying include Garnier Whole Blends, Viori, and Ethique. Feel free to comment about your own experience with these or other brands.
Popular thinking regarding toothpaste is that the only option is to purchase toothpaste in what unfortunately are unrecyclable plastic tubes. It is true that all toothpaste tubes were typically made from multiple types of plastic, thus making them unrecyclable. Various brands are now making tubes that consists of only one type of plastic (#2), which theoretically makes them recyclable. Examples of companies doing this include Colgate, Crest, and Toms of Maine. If you are looking for a completely plastic-free option though, this is now possible as well. Many companies make what are referred to as toothpaste "tablets." Please watch the video below to find out more about how toothpaste tablets were invented.
An important point that was brought up in the video is the concern with palm oil. I will speak more on this in a future article, but for now, try to find products that do not contain palm oil. In addition to Bite from the video, examples of sustainable options of toothpaste tablets containing fluoride include Tidalove (which comes in paper packaging sourced from trees that have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as being sustainably grown and harvested ), unPaste, and Denttabs. These and other options are available online.
Objective: Purchase either a shampoo bar or a container of toothpaste tablets. Be sure to continue for three or more weeks to allow yourself time to get used to a new way of doing things. Getting comfortable with toothpaste tablets does take a while; I can attest to that. To help, try only brushing half of the time with tablets until you are ready to drop regular toothpaste entirely.
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