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Beginner’s Guide: Becoming Sustainable in the Shower

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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at OSU chapter.

Contributing to the zero-waste initiative is a new trend that continues to grow daily; have you ever thought about how much space plastic bottles take up and how quickly you go through them? Before committing to becoming zero-waste, I typically went through a 13-ounce shampoo or conditioner bottle in just a month or two. Yes, I know it’s not healthy, but I am the person to wash my hair every day. If you want to join the zero-waste initiative, I recommend starting with your shower products. Continue reading for a beginner’s guide on becoming sustainable in the shower!

Use Shampoo and Conditioner Bars!

Transitioning to a shampoo or conditioner bar saves a lot of money and uses less plastic, allowing you to contribute to the zero-waste initiative. The typical plastic shampoo or conditioner bottle would cost around $7 while a shampoo or conditioner bar costs between $6 and $12. At times, the shampoo or conditioner bar can potentially cost more, but it can last you between three to four months, which saves a lot more money compared to the plastic shampoo bottle!

Transition to a Face Wash Bar!

Another one of my favorite transitions is going from a liquid face wash to one in bar form; the bar lasts way longer than the liquid plastic container would. Plus, most face washes actually contain mostly water rather than the ingredients listed on the container. My face is also clearer since I started using the bar, meaning the active ingredients are really working!

Buy BAR SAVERS!

If you are transitioning to using the shampoo, conditioner or face wash bars, consider looking into the bamboo bar savers! Firstly, this switch works by keeping your products that come in bar form dry, helping them last longer. Secondly, bamboo is biodegradable which helps contribute to being zero-waste!

Also, if you travel, the best way to take your bar-shaped products with you is to use a soap-saver bag. This is a small, convenient bag that does not take up as much space as a plastic bottle would. Now you don’t need to worry about if you have to use carry-on luggage since it’s above the 3.4 ounces that airlines require!

Switch out your razor, loofah and brush!

There are a lot more ways to change your daily shower routine to be more sustainable. A few of those ways are by switching to a metal razor instead of a plastic one, using a loofah that biodegrades after its use and using a brush that biodegrades as well.

These small steps will make a huge impact in the zero-waste initiative, even though it may not seem like it. By taking these steps, you are helping to stop another plastic bottle from making its way into the ocean!

Cierra is a 2nd year Strategic Communications major and minoring in Design Thinking and Non-Profit Management. She is on track to graduate early (May 2025) which she is excited about. After college, she hopes to work in international communications because one of her dreams is to travel as much as possible while doing the job she loves.