Here are some eco-swaps you can do in your bathroom and why it is important to consider what products you use and the environmental impact they have!

What is the problem?

The ocean covers around 70% of the Earth’s surface and contributes to more than 50% of the oxygen produced on the planet. However, because of pollution caused by human activities, our ocean is under major threat.

The ocean is exposed to many land-based sources of pollution, with the biggest being plastic waste. Plastic pollution is an environmental crisis, with around 170 trillion plastic particles afloat in the oceans (PLoS One, 2023). Plastics and microplastics aren't just extremely damaging to the ocean and wildlife, with marine species facing danger due to the entanglement or consumption of plastic, but to humans too.

Another key source of ocean pollution is chemicals, in particular per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS chemicals are widely used in many everyday products; however, they contaminate our environment during the production, usage, and disposal phases. They are commonly known as ‘forever chemicals’, due to their inability to break down and because they cannot be fully removed from the environment. Not only does this impact marine life and habitats, but it also negatively affects human health.

With ocean pollution showing no signs of slowing down, we all need to act now.

How can you help?

Most products that you find in your bathroom are likely to contribute to plastic and chemical pollution. To help preserve our oceans, you should be mindful of the products you are using and what is going down your drain.

To give you a start towards sustainable living, here are some easy, eco-friendly bathroom swaps that you can start making today!

Swap the shower gel

A simple swap that you can make is to ditch the single-use plastic bottles of shower gel in favour of soap bars! Not only do shower gel bottles contribute to high amounts of plastic waste, but most brands of shower gel also contain PFAS chemicals. This is unhealthy for the environment as well as your skin.

Instead, switch to natural soap bars with zero-waste packaging; this is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of chemicals and plastic waste polluting the ocean.

Reusable shaver(s)

When it comes to reducing plastic waste, it may be time to rethink your shaving habits. Disposable shavers are designed to only be used for a short amount of time and then thrown away, with millions making their way into our ocean each year (EPA, 2018).

Replace your throw-away shaver with a reusable, longer-lasting shaver that is sustainable straight through, from the packaging to the material. Opt for a durable, stainless steel safety razor for a perfect, eco-friendly investment.

Zero-plastic shampoo and conditioner

Just like shower gel bottles, we have become accustomed to continuously buying plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles without thinking about the consequences. In the UK alone, 520 million shampoo bottles are thrown away each year, ending up in the ocean or landfills (DS Smith, 2020).

With the eco-friendly product market growing with demand, there are now several brands dedicated to the cause of creating chemical-free and zero-waste shampoo and conditioner bars for you to choose from. And better still, on average, a bar lasts twice to three times longer (National Geographic, 2018). (can remove this cite?)

Zero-waste toothbrush

Another big cause of plastic pollution in the ocean is toothbrushes. A Statista poll conducted in Great Britain in 2022 showed that an estimated 2 million people use ten or more toothbrushes a year. With around 256 million toothbrushes discarded every year in the UK (Oral Health Foundation, 2021), this is a huge amount of plastic waste.

Bamboo toothbrushes are becoming increasingly popular as they are a much more sustainable option. The handles are made of a natural material, making them 100% biodegradable and a zero-waste product as they decompose quicker than plastic.

Natural toothpaste

Eco-friendly alternatives can be found for nearly anything, including toothpaste! Plastic toothpaste tubes are difficult to recycle and contain different chemicals that often contaminate the environment.

Thankfully, there are lots of natural, plastic-free toothpaste options out there. From toothpaste tablets to aluminium tubes, these sustainable swaps will all help to make a difference in reducing ocean pollution.

For more information on what we, as a business, are doing to help the environment, visit our sustainability hub.