Swap to sustainable toiletries

Easy ways to reduce single use plastics in your daily routine

Louise Tompkinson

October 16, 2019

Reducing plastic in your daily routine

Since my first blog about reducing single-use plastic through food choices, global awareness has grown significantly. Movements like #FridaysForFuture, led by Greta Thunberg, have highlighted the urgent need to tackle climate change.

Sustainability is now a major focus, from reducing fast fashion to cutting everyday waste. Individual actions can make a real difference, and the best time to start is now.

Crystal deodorant

Small changes that make a difference

I’ve continued reducing my reliance on single-use plastics by exploring alternatives for personal hygiene. Below are some tried and tested options for a more sustainable toiletry routine.

Plastic-free toiletry swaps

Crystal deodorant

This product costs approximately £5 and can last up to a year. It is applied directly to wet skin and, while the case is plastic, it is recyclable. Using one stick per year has far less environmental impact than regularly buying aerosol or roll-on deodorants.

Safety razor and blades

A double edge safety razor (such as Jagen David) costs around £15 and can last for years. Replacement blades (e.g. Shark) are inexpensive and reduce waste compared to disposable razors.

Shampoo, conditioner bars and soap

Brands like Lush offer shampoo and conditioner bars that last for 60–80 washes and require no plastic packaging. Bar soap is also widely available and affordable.

Reusable makeup remover pads

Reusable bamboo pads (such as those from La Nature via Eco Beau) are a sustainable alternative to disposable cotton pads. One reusable pad can replace hundreds of single-use pads.

Bamboo cotton buds

Products like Hydrophil are biodegradable, compostable and plastic-free. They are often packaged in recycled materials and support environmental causes.

Natural toothpaste and oral care

Natural oral care products from Georganics are plastic-free and come in recyclable or compostable packaging. Pair with a bamboo toothbrush for a lower-impact routine.

Sun protection

Plastic-free options like Shade from Plastic Freedom provide SPF protection using natural ingredients, while also reducing packaging waste.

Where to Shop

Some great places to find plastic-free or low-waste products include:

  • Plastic Freedom
  • Eco Beau
  • Lush

 

Small swaps, big impact

Making simple changes to your daily routine can significantly reduce the amount of single-use plastic you generate. Over time, these small swaps can have a meaningful impact on the environment.

Next, I’ll be exploring alternatives for household cleaning products—keep an eye on the recycle-more blog for more ideas.

 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author, Louise Tompkinson, and do not necessarily reflect the views of recycle-more, Valpak Limited, or any other organisation.