What’s in my Zero Waste Toiletry Kit?!
Have you every wondered what a zero waster brings along when traveling? I’m spending the week at the beach and thought what a perfect opportunity to talk to you about what’s in my zero waste toiletry kit. I’m traveling light this trip, because let’s be honest, on a beach vacation I want to either be in my bathing suit or my pajamas. My personal care routine is just as minimal as my travel wardrobe while visiting the seaside.
Quick Zero Waste Toiletry Checklist:
- Bamboo Toothbrush
- Zero Waste Toothpaste
- Zero Waste Deodorant
- Safety Razor
- Zero Waste Sunscreen
- Hairbrush
Zero Waste Toothpaste and Bamboo Toothbrush
I’d say the very basic foundation of a zero waste toiletry kit would be a great zero waste toothpaste, whether homemade or store bought, and a bamboo toothbrush. I use the zero waste tooth paste carried in the Tiny Yellow Bungalow shop and a Brush with Bamboo toothbrush. To learn more about why you should switch to a natural and ZW toothpaste, check out this recent blog post of mine here!
I know quite a few zero wasters prefer to make their own homemade tooth paste. Here are a few recipes you might want to try out:
Going Zero Waste Dentist Approve Toothpowder
Zero Waste Nerd Remineralizing Zero Waste Toothpaste
The Zero Waste Chef Plastic Microbead-Free Toothpaste
Zero Waste Deodorant
Plastic free deodorant is a must for zero waste travels, especially for hot days at the beach! Many zero waste enthusiasts use DIY deodorant recipes (you can find a lot of these recipes if you search on Pinterest), but I am a huge fan of the PITS natural & vegan deodorant that comes in a glass jar. It’s the first natural deodorant I’ve found that is effective for hot sweaty days in Georgia. If you are wondering why you should make the switch to natural and zero waste deodorant, well just head over to this blog post: zero waste deodorant, to learn more!
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Get 10% off your first zero waste order and all the latest Tiny Yellow Bungalow news!Stainless Steel Safety Razor
I made the switch from disposable plastic razors to a stainless steel safety razor a couple of years ago, and it has been one of my absolute favorite ZW switches. Not only do I not have to worry about tossing plastic razors on the regular, but in my opinion a safety razor gives a much closer shave. I take my safety razor when traveling, but that’s a personal preference. Totally optional! If you want some more details and tips on making the switch to a sustainable razor, check out my blog post: zero waste shaving! My safety razor terrified me in the beginning. Honestly, I thought I would cut myself a lot, but after giving it a few tries, I am totally in love. I don’t plan to ever go back to disposable razors!
Zero Waste Sunscreen
I currently use a zero waste sunscreen from Butterbean Organics. It works great, and it comes in a little metal tin that can be reused. Is there a ZW sunscreen that you really like?? I would love to hear what sunscreens you have experimented with. An added bonus, if you’ve found an effective low waste sunscreen that’s also vegan! I’m running low on my Butterbean sunscreen and would love to try out some other brands. UPDATE: After running out of my last sunscreen, I started using this organic zero waste sunscreen by Elevated that you can now find in the Tiny Yellow Bungalow shop! It’s vegan, plastic free, and best of all, it’s effective! It took some experimenting to find a zero waste sunscreen that I really liked, but I’m super happy with this one. It comes in a glass jar that can be reused or recycled. Here is a list of other low waste sunscreens you might want to try!
Hairbrush
My hairbrush that I carry in my zero waste travel kit is made of *gasp* plastic. I just wanted to point out that when transitioning to a zero waste lifestyle, you don’t need to toss every single item of plastic in your home!! My hairbrush works just fine, and I plan to use it until it’s absolutely worn out. I am happy to hunt for a more environmentally conscious hairbrush when it’s no longer usable! Update: I have found a GREAT wood hairbrush. If it’s time for you to get a new hairbrush, consider this one!
I think bamboo might be the best option for a plastic free hairbrush, but let me know if you have any recommendations.
Not Pictured
For this week’s trip, my toiletry kit was pretty minimal. My accommodation’s here included shampoo and soap. However, on any other trip I would’ve probably brought a few slivers of my shampoo and soap bars in a re-purposed Altoids tin. Another really wonderful zero waste shampoo option that is great for travel is shampoo cubes. They’re these small cubes of concentrated soap that you crush in your hand, add water, and voila! You have a perfect, super strong lather shampoo!
I also normally travel with makeup but again, not much need for makeup when most of my time is spent at the water! I am still on the hunt for an awesome zero waste makeup routine. I’d love to hear about any trusted zero waste makeup brands you know of. Also, if it happened to be the week of my cycle I would’ve brought my menstrual cup. Head over to: zero waste period, if you want to know more about menstrual cups and cloth pads!
Not pictured, although I did bring it with me in my purse, my plastic free, vegan lip balm. My lips are a little chapped from spending so much time in the sun. I’m so glad I brought it on my trip!
What’s in your zero waste toiletry kit?
What personal care items do you bring when traveling zero waste?
You might also enjoy these blog posts from Tiny Yellow Bungalow!
beginner’s guide to zero waste
This is a solid list! I’m still hemming and hawing over 100% zero waste toothpaste just because I haven’t found one I like, but my list is pretty similar. (Except for the hairbrush – the perks of having naturally wild/untamable hair!)
Thanks! And I totally know the feeling. I’ve done a lot of experimenting with different zero waste products, and it’s really exciting to find one that I really love. If you haven’t had a chance be sure to check out the zero waste tooth paste and tooth powder in my shop! The paste has a more conventional toothpaste consistency and comes in a glass jar. And I’m totally in love with the activated charcoal tooth powder. I like to mix it with coconut oil to make a paste; it’s great also for whitening teeth!
I really want to make the switch to a natural deodorant but I’m worried it won’t work as well as the others. I’ve heard horror stories of transition periods that has really put me off. Did you have to go through that?
I think it’s all about finding one that works for your body! I’ve tried quite a few different natural deodorants and found most of them ineffective or irritating to my skin. I was super stoked when I found the PITS natural deodorant listed on the blog post. I tried it out for a month before listing it in my shop, because I don’t share with other people anything I wouldn’t use myself. I didn’t really have a transition period, but on days when I was extra active or sweaty I would reapply midday. I hope this helps! 🙂
Awesome list! I’m not 100% zero-waster but I’m trying to lessen waste as much as I can and practice proper waste management/disposal. So this list is really helpful and I could start with the toothbrush. 🙂
Thank you! Making the switch to bamboo toothbrushes is such a simple zero waste switch, I wish everybody would go for it!! 🙂
My toothbrush that I am currently using is made from recycled yogurt containers. I bought it from our local co-op. I will have to see if they have the bamboo.