Zero Waste: How a plastic-free bathroom works

Reduce your waste sustainably and plastic-free! Discover our zero-waste tips for washing, cleaning, and cleaning your bathroom, and for a life without waste.

 

A sustainable life often begins within your own four walls – and the bathroom is one of the best places to transition to zero waste. From shampoo bottles and disposable razors to toothpaste tubes and detergent in plastic bottles: Hardly any room produces as much plastic waste as the bathroom. But there are other options! With a few simple changes, you can make your home plastic-free without sacrificing comfort or hygiene.

Plastic waste in the bathroom - Facts & figures

Plastic waste is one of the most pressing environmental problems of our time – and the bathroom is a real plastic trap. Along with the kitchen, this is where an enormous amount of plastic packaging accumulates, resulting from the daily use of cosmetic and hygiene products. Did you know, for example, that German households have an average of 39 plastic containers for cosmetic products in the bathroom? For women, this figure rises to 48. In Germany, around 38 kilograms of plastic packaging waste per capita are disposed of annually – which is even higher than the EU average of 33 kilograms.

But packaging waste isn't the only problem. The high proportion of microplastics in cosmetic products is also particularly worrying. Every year, approximately 977 tons of microplastics and 46,900 tons of dissolved polymers from cosmetics, detergents, and cleaning products enter wastewater in Germany. Since many of these tiny plastic particles pass unhindered through sewage treatment plants, they end up in rivers and oceans, where they are ingested by living organisms and ultimately enter our food chain. A truly vicious cycle that urgently needs to be broken!

Zero Waste Bathroom: How a plastic-free bathroom works

If you delve deeper into the topic of "zero waste" and a sustainable lifestyle, it quickly becomes clear that there are many small but effective changes that can be easily integrated into our everyday lives. Especially in the bathroom, there are numerous ways to reduce plastic and disposable products. But that's not all: With the right alternatives, you can not only avoid waste but also save money—and, incidentally, protect the environment. We've done some research and listed some simple zero-waste tips that will help you quickly and easily make your bathroom plastic-free and sustainable.

Plastic-free shower experience

A big step toward zero waste is avoiding liquid products in plastic packaging. At your local drugstore, you can already find numerous alternatives, such as solid shampoo or shower gel, that make it easier for you to discard your conventional shampoo bottles and avoid this packaging waste in the future. These hair soaps actually do not require any plastic packaging, last longer, and are often free of harmful substances—a win-win situation. The same applies to solid soaps, such as curd soap, which can be used as a substitute for shower gel or liquid soap and is just as effective.

Brush and clean teeth sustainably

Even dental care can be made sustainable in just a few simple steps: Instead of plastic toothbrushes, you can use a bamboo toothbrush. The advantage: It's biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Toothpaste tablets are also available, which are a great alternative to conventional toothpaste because they aren't packaged in plastic. The small tablets, made from natural ingredients, foam up when chewed and clean teeth just as thoroughly, all without unnecessary packaging.

No disposable products

Single-use products are some of the biggest sources of waste in the bathroom. Instead of traditional makeup wipes, which are often treated with chemicals and bleached and also generate a lot of waste, reusable makeup pads made of cotton or bamboo are a good option. These can be easily reused and recycled. Conventional cotton swabs can also be replaced with plastic-free versions with a bamboo or paper handle.

Reusable hygiene products

Especially in the area of ​​menstrual hygiene, there are now more and more sustainable alternatives. Instead of disposable tampons or sanitary pads, which leave a lot of plastic in the bathroom every time, menstrual cups are an environmentally friendly and cost-effective option. They can be used for several years, significantly reducing waste. Some manufacturers also offer washable sanitary pads, allowing them to be used over a longer period of time.

Plastic-free shaving products

Disposable razors, which are usually made of plastic and end up in the trash after a single use, also contribute significantly to the flood of plastic. Fortunately, there's a more sustainable and long-lasting option: the safety razor. This is particularly environmentally friendly, as it typically lasts for many years thanks to the high-quality stainless steel handle, and the blade also needs to be replaced much less frequently. This way, you avoid constantly buying new disposable razors and actively contribute to reducing plastic waste.

Sustainable storage solutions for cleaning products

The bathroom is a room that needs to be stored in lots of small products and utensils. Products like shampoos and cleaning products usually come in plastic bottles that break over time and need to be replaced regularly. The question is, which ones do we really need? There are numerous other storage options and containers that can enable us to live waste-free. Instead of plastic, you can use glass, wood, or metal containers. These materials are not only visually appealing but also extremely durable and reusable. Did you know that there are even packaging-free stores? Here you can fill cleaners, fabric softeners, and more into your own container without packaging.

You see: These small changes make a big difference. Those who consciously choose sustainable alternatives contribute to stemming the tide of plastic and protecting our environment – ​​in keeping with the spirit of a zero-waste lifestyle!

Detergent without plastic: Avoid waste with EccoClean

We're delighted that the demand for ecological and sustainable products is constantly growing, and this also applies to laundry detergents. More and more consumers are looking for alternatives to standard cleaning products, which are often loaded with harmful chemicals and unnecessary plastic waste. But no one wants to forgo convenience. Who hasn't experienced this: calculating how much liquid or powder detergent needs to be added to the washing machine to achieve good results, lugging heavy containers home (in the worst case, up to the fourth floor without an elevator), and then worrying about how to dispose of the waste properly and in an environmentally friendly way. Phew, that alone is stressful. But this is exactly where EccoClean comes in, because we offer sustainability, zero waste, and convenience all in one.

EccoClean develops detergents that are not only tailored to consumer needs but also protect the environment. Our laundry sticks are free of harmful substances such as phosphates, parabens, and microplastics, making them particularly gentle on nature and your washing machine. And lugging laundry is a thing of the past! Our practical packs are made of paper and contain 7-gram laundry sticks—no problem, even for the smallest household members or single laundry professionals. Unlike conventional laundry pods, EccoClean sticks are also plastic- and pollutant-free, allowing them to dissolve completely in water without leaving any residue. One laundry stick is enough for an entire washing drum and ensures sustainable cleaning and care for your clothes.

With EccoClean, your wash cycle will not only be clean, but also environmentally friendly and stress-free!

Using household remedies to combat garbage: Sustainable cleaning

Now that we know how to create a plastic-free bathroom, we'd like to show you how to reduce waste in the rest of your household as well – without expensive specialty products, thanks to a few household remedies. Especially for single households, it's worth making your own cleaning products to keep your home clean. This not only saves money, but also avoids unnecessary plastic packaging and harmful substances when cleaning.

We'll show you how to make your own all-purpose cleaner with simple ingredients. All you need is vinegar and citric acid. These two are truly multitalented ingredients: They dissolve limescale, remove grease and dirt, and even help remove stains from carpets and upholstered furniture.

A simple all-purpose cleaner is made from a mixture of vinegar and water – perfect for the kitchen and bathroom. Citric acid is particularly effective against stubborn limescale deposits. These DIY solutions are not only environmentally friendly but also ideal for smaller households, as you can make exactly the amount you need – so nothing goes to waste and you don't create additional waste.

What happens next?

A plastic-free bathroom is an important step toward sustainability – and as you can see, it's not that difficult to implement. With small, conscious changes, you can not only reduce waste but also save money in the long run and protect your health. Whether it's solid shampoo, bamboo toothbrushes, or reusable safety razors – every decision counts. So why not start today? Your bathroom (and the environment) will thank you!