Use a bamboo toothbrush, try bar soap and skip makeup wipes — plus 6 more tips to reduce bathroom plastic waste

You’ve bought a refillable Stanley tumbler and use a metal straw in an effort to reduce your plastic consumption — and now you want to keep going. Taking it further is a wise choice, especially since microplastics, the tiny particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastics, are increasingly found in our environment and even our bodies and brains. These particles have been associated with potential health risks, including hormonal disruptions, as well as lung and gut issues. While more research is needed to understand the impacts of these particles on our health, every small step we take to reduce plastic consumption can help limit our personal exposure — not to mention reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in oceans and landfills for years to come. That’s good for the planet, and for us.

An easy place to reduce your plastic usage? The bathroom. Take a look in your shower and on your counter: You’re likely to find bottles of shampoo and body wash, synthetic loofahs, toothbrushes and more that are both disposable and made of plastic. Even if you’re not on a journey to produce less waste, these basic swaps may make you rethink your go-to purchases.

Rethink your toothbrush

You don’t need to use plastic while brushing your teeth. Instead of opting for a plastic toothbrush, consider a bamboo toothbrush instead.

Why bamboo? For one thing, it’s environmentally friendly: It’s a highly renewable resource that grows quickly without the need for pesticides or fertilizers, making it eco-friendly to produce. Plus, it’s biodegradable and compostable — so no need to worry that your brush will end up in a landfill or in the ocean, contributing to plastic pollution that could harm your health later on.

Try a new kind of floss

Are you flossing daily? The American Dental Association says that doing so is “an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums.” One thing you may not have considered, however, is that the floss you pick up at the store may be full of plastic. There are alternatives, Gareth Lloyd Jones, managing director of garbage removal company Hippo, tells Yahoo Life.

“Normal floss you buy from the supermarket, as well as interdental sticks, tend to be made from mixes of plastic, such as waxed nylon, hard plastic and plastic-coated metal,” he says. “This makes them extremely difficult to recycle, meaning they often end up in landfill.”

Instead, he recommends the many “eco-friendly and reusable alternatives to these products,” which can be found online and in some health food stores. The brand SimplyFloss, for example, sells a reusable silicone band that cuts down on your plastic consumption, while Boonboo dental floss is made of bamboo and charcoal.

In general, Jones says that good options “include floss made from plant-based materials like silk, bamboo or biodegradable cornstarch.” Check the packaging before you purchase to see if your floss is up to snuff.

Check out a refillable store...

Take a peek at your shower: There’s a good chance you’re seeing plenty of plastic bottles for items like shampoo, conditioner and body wash. One way to cut back on plastic while still using these liquid cleansers is to visit a store with a refill program.

Many independent refill shops, such as Pasadena, Calif.’s My Zero Waste Store and the Zero Market in Edgewater, Colo., offer a variety of products in bulk. Larger retailers, such as select locations of the Body Shop, are also jumping on the refill trend, and startups like Wonderfil are bringing refill kiosks to stores like Whole Foods.

You can find a local shop by searching for refill programs online. Before you go to a store, check its website to see what items it offers and if it has specific guidelines for containers. If you decide to bring your own, opt for glass or aluminum ones, which are durable and plastic-free.

...or find a refillable company online

You also don’t always have to go to a store in person: Companies like Blueland, Grove and Public Goods provide refillable options for products that you can purchase online. Typically, these brands ship concentrated refills in compostable packaging designed to minimize plastic waste.

Plus, some companies, such as Plaine Products, use a circular system where you return empty aluminum bottles for cleaning and reuse. Just make sure to check the store’s return or recycling policies to make sure that you have appropriate containers for refilling.

Or, try bar soap

Instead of buying a bottle of body wash, use bar soap, which has less packaging and is typically less expensive per use than its liquid counterpart. You can also purchase shampoo bars from companies like Lush, as well as try a conditioner option from a brand like HiBar.

Skip makeup wipes

Millions of makeup wipes are in landfills, and while they may feel like soft towelettes, many also contain plastic fibers, like polyester. Instead of using single-use wipes, opt to put makeup remover on a reusable towel instead, which you can toss in the wash — not the trash — after you’re done using it. Not only will it stop the wipes from going straight to the dump when you’re done, but you’ll also skip the plastic packaging. (Bonus points if you get your makeup remover from a refillable store!)

Shave smarter

A disposable razor has a short life in your bathroom but lives in a landfill indefinitely. Instead of purchasing disposable shavers, go for a reusable safety razor, such as the metal options made by Leaf. The company also sells shaving oil in an aluminum bottle to further avoid plastic use.

Test a new deodorant

Many deodorant brands come in plastic packaging, but you can reduce your plastic waste by searching for alternatives. The brand Native sells aluminium-free deodorant sticks that contain no plastic packaging.

Go for compostable trash bags

If you have a small trash bin in your bathroom, you likely use plastic liners. Instead, opt for a compostable version, which is just as convenient to use and will break down over time instead of living in a landfill for the foreseeable future.

Of course, your best option in reducing your plastic waste is scaling back on how much trash you put in that bin in the first place.