How to Reduce Plastic in Your Bathroom: Easy Swaps That Work

Here’s something that caught me off guard when I first started paying attention: the bathroom gives the kitchen a real run for its money when it comes to household plastic waste. Shampoo bottles, conditioner, body wash, razors, toothbrushes — I counted mine once and honestly felt a little embarrassed. The good news? Almost all of it can go.

Bamboo Toothbrush

A billion plastic toothbrushes hit US landfills every single year. That number stopped me in my tracks the first time I read it. Bamboo toothbrushes with nylon bristles do exactly the same job as plastic ones — same clean, same feel — and they run about the same price, sometimes cheaper. When you’re done with it, the bamboo handle can be composted. Just pull the bristles out first and toss those in the regular trash since they’re nylon. That’s genuinely it. Of all the swaps on this list, this one asks the least of you.

Bar Shampoo and Conditioner

Switching to shampoo and conditioner bars was the one my husband was most skeptical about — until about month two, when he admitted his hair felt better than it had in years. Modern bar formulas have come a long way. They lather, they rinse clean, and they work for most hair types. There’s a short adjustment period, usually a week or two, while your hair sheds the silicone buildup from conventional products. Worth pushing through. Brands like Ethique, Lush, and Unwrapped Life are solid starting points — I’ve personally used Ethique for over a year now.

Safety Razor

The upfront cost on a safety razor — usually somewhere between $25 and $40 — can feel like a lot. I hesitated for months. Then I did the math. Replacement stainless steel blades run about 10 to 15 cents each, and the metal handle literally lasts forever. Compare that to what you’re dropping on cartridge refills every month and it’s not even close. The blades are also fully recyclable, and as a bonus? Genuinely closer shave than any disposable I’ve used.

Solid Bar Soap

One bar of soap quietly outlasts two or three bottles of liquid body wash — I actually tracked this last winter just to see, and yep, it checks out. Naked bars with cardboard-only packaging are everywhere now, from Target to your local co-op. They’re usually cheaper per wash than liquid soap too, which feels like a nice little bonus for doing the right thing. This swap genuinely costs you nothing.

Compostable Dental Floss

This one surprised me, honestly. I didn’t think much about floss until I realized I’d been tossing a tiny plastic container in the trash every few weeks for my entire adult life. Conventional floss is nylon inside a plastic case — both headed straight to landfill. Silk floss in a refillable glass or metal container is compostable, and you just buy refills after that. Bamboo fiber floss works too if you want a vegan option. Both are easy to find online, usually around $10 to $12 to start.

Final Thoughts

If you’re only going to do one thing after reading this, grab a bamboo toothbrush. Easiest swap, zero compromise, done. For everything else — don’t throw out what’s still working just to buy the eco version. Replace things as they run out, one at a time. I started doing this about two years ago and now when I look under my bathroom sink, it’s almost unrecognizable compared to what it used to be. That slow, boring, gradual approach actually works.