6 Small Tweaks To Your Bathroom That Are Kind To The Planet

As we emerge from lockdown with a new appreciation of nature, our efforts to be more sustainable feel all the more critical. Research from the British Beauty Council shows that we’re heading in the right direction, with one in seven people switching to more environmentally friendly beauty products and brands.

To make small changes that have a big impact, you can start in the bathroom. By way of inspiration, we asked those who are already passionate about eco-friendly habits for their insider recommendations.

1. Embrace bamboo

‘A quick and easy tweak is to eliminate single-use plastic when brushing your teeth. Instead of using a plastic toothbrush, which will end up in landfill, why not switch to one made from sustainable material such as bamboo or beechwood? There are also some great planet-friendly alternatives to traditional toothpaste, such as zero-waste refillable toothpaste tablets.’ Natalie Glaze, founder of responsible jewellery brand @byglaze_

2. Reduce your impact

‘Look for plant-powered products that not only deliver results but also leave a lighter footprint on the planet. Herbal Essences’ new Essences of Life Repair & Renew Intensive Mask is packed with plant-based nutrients to give your hair double the nourishment. Not only is it PETA-certified cruelty-free, vegan and made from 94% natural-origin ingredients, it comes in fully recyclable packaging too. Plus, it has real pure Aloe, certified by the scientists at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. And it smells amazing!

‘You can also enjoy your favourite Argan oil shampoo while helping to cut down plastic waste thanks to Herbal Essences’ new shampoo refill system. The beautiful, reusable aluminium bottle comes with a recyclable refill pouch made with 60% less plastic*, reducing your impact on our planet.’ Rachel Zipperian, senior scientist for @herbalessences

3. Refresh your deodorant

‘Solid natural deodorant bars, which are free of packaging as well as synthetic ingredients, are a personal bathroom favourite. They come in so many scents, are eco-friendly and gentle, and actually last ages. It’s a bit of an adventure, as you have to try a few to find the right one for you, but it’s so worth it.’ Amma Aburam, eco-fashion advocate @styleand.sustain

Covet Creative

4. Switch to sustainable paper

‘I’ve recently discovered an eco-friendly toilet roll subscription service that delivers sustainable, bamboo-based paper. It’s such an easy way to immediately reduce my carbon footprint – and it saves carrying it home on the bus!’ George Driver, ELLE’s Acting Beauty Director @iamgdriver

5. Waste not, want not

‘I enjoy exploring sustainable beauty products and I’ll wash and recycle empty bottles whenever possible; a recycling bin for my bathroom is next on my list. With unopened products, I’ll routinely have a clear-out and donate these to charity; a local establishment near me collects cosmetics for Beauty Banks, a charity whose mission is to end hygiene poverty in the UK.’ Besma Whayeb, author of sustainable blog CuriouslyConscious.com

illustration of a shower floor featuring products

Covet Creative

6. Go reusable

‘The UK uses around 11 billion wet wipes each year, so taking face wipes out of the equation could have a huge benefit – especially as so many non-biodegradable, plastic-based ones end up in our rivers. Of course, some people need to use them for accessibility reasons, for example, but in the time I’ve been using a reusable face cloth I’ve saved over 1,000 disposable face wipes, so for those of us who can do it, it’s an easy and effective switch.’ Sophie Benson, sustainability journalist and lecturer @sophiebenson