As you know, at Cahé, we do our best to make our approach as ecological/eco-responsible as possible (eco-designed packaging, waste reduction, dual-purpose products, etc.). However, it's important that this approach is integrated into your daily life for the impact to be even greater. And we know how difficult that can be. In our series "Small Steps Towards Ecology," we give you some keys to easily incorporate eco-responsible habits into your daily life, especially with zero waste.

Limiting waste consumption in the kitchen is good, but in the bathroom it's even better. Indeed, studies show that the bathroom is a real ecological scourge:

• Approximately 2,160 cotton pads thrown away per year for a single French woman (according to Les Tendances d'Emma)
• 186 million plastic shower gel bottles sold each year (According to Planetscope)
• 174 million shampoo bottles sold in France each year (les petits calculs savants)
• Only 40% of plastic bottles are recycled (les petits calculs savants)
• Shampoos and shower gels represent 16,000 tons of packaging per year
• In 2016, the Surfrider association collected 16,000 cotton swabs from only 5 sites, which is 3 times the height of the Eiffel Tower (Le Reses)

Here are some tips for a zero-waste bathroom.

Cotton Pads

Okay, we all know about those famous reusable cotton pads now, but still, they're the basics! Stop using disposable cotton pads every day and invest in reusable ones. Today, many brands offer them. You can even find them in supermarkets, at Monoprix, and sometimes even in pharmacies.

However, there are square ones, round ones, small ones, large ones, colored ones, white ones, made of cotton, eucalyptus, or bamboo... it's easy to get lost. I advise you to choose them carefully to actually use them. You can even test them by buying 1 or 2 in different formats and materials. You'll form your own opinion.

Here are some points to guide you and help you find your way:

• Color: I find that white ones stain very easily. I recommend gray ones if you wear makeup (and especially if you do a lot of dark laundry like me) or colored ones that show dirt less.
• Material: My favorites are those made of eucalyptus because they are more ecological compared to cotton as their production requires less water. Bamboo is also very good because it's very soft for the skin but more absorbent, so there might be a slight product loss.
• Shape: I prefer them about the size of my palm (not too big but not too small) and rather square than round because they are easier to handle, in my opinion.

I advise you to buy at least 20 to be set for several days. My favorites are those from the brand Les Tendances d'Emma which are, in my opinion, the best and also truly ethical!

Finally, it's a habit to get into, especially remembering to wash them, but it's as basic as washing your underwear (it almost rhymes too!). What I've put in place:

• A pretty little basket or a nice pot to put them in (out of sight, out of mind)
• A hidden bag where I put all the dirty cotton pads after use.
• When I wash my towels, I put my cotton pads in mesh bags (yes, the ones for underwear) and then into the washing machine with the rest.
• To save time, I put them in the dryer or let them air dry still in the bag.

Tip: Remember to keep one reusable cotton pad especially for nail polish remover!

Switch to Reusable Cotton Swabs

Even though since 2016 cotton swabs must be made of biodegradable material, they are still among the top 10 wastes found on beaches (Le reses).

Here are several zero-waste options:

• The Oriculis: the precursor in this field. An ear cleaner made of wood or bamboo, you have to try it to see if you like it or not. Its stem shape with a curved tip is very special. Personally, I find this tool effective but it's not the one that suits me best.
• The reusable cotton swab: made of recycled plastic and TPE (used in medical), it's a true "fake cotton swab." This one is really my favorite because it looks like a classic cotton swab, the gesture is the same, the feeling is the same, and your ears feel very clean, which is essential. It's perfect especially for people attached to the traditional cotton swab. The brand LastSwab offers them in all colors.

Reconsider Your Shower Gel

If there's one thing we all do in the bathroom, it's wash ourselves (I hope!). So if we can do it zero waste, that's even better.

There are 2 teams here:

• Team "soap of our childhood": you know that soap we bring back from vacation for our grandmother that, no matter what country we bring it from, smells like lavender? Well, it's back in full force but a little pimped up. Today, soap smells good and can even be beautiful, like those from Ciment Paris. Plus, it's super practical for travel because it's compact and light. We especially choose cold-process soap because it lathers more (so it wears down very slowly as only a little is needed) and leaves the skin softer and nourished. Farewell to grandma's soap that left your skin dry!

Tip: The trick to prevent soap from slipping everywhere is the magnetic soap holder. It's super practical, even more so if you have a small shower (hello Parisian students). It allows you to hang the soap anywhere to have it within reach and let it dry perfectly.

• Team "I love the bottle too much": I'm still talking about the shower gel bottle, I assure you. To stay eco-friendly with a bottle, I recommend bulk. We opt for a beautiful bottle, in glass for example (but be careful of breakage in the bathroom), that matches the decor, and we head to the bulk store to refill it. As with soap, bulk stores have adapted to demand and now offer different scents and textures (gel, cream, and sometimes shower oil for the driest skin). However, be careful to anticipate, and refill it before it's empty.

Switch to Solid Shampoo

As with shower gels, you can keep a nice bottle and refill it. Today, you can find shampoo in bulk stores for various hair needs. There are also eco-refills if you forget your bottle.

Shampoo also comes in a solid version. As the demand for zero waste grows, brands are following the trend. So you can find solid shampoos everywhere, even in supermarkets, and for all needs and hair types. Also, for the skeptics (and I understand you!), solid shampoo is no longer what it used to be! Even if lather is not essential for properly washing hair, the solid version lathers like the shampoos of our childhood. They also smell good and, most importantly, don't leave hair sticky or dry as was the case a few years ago.

My zero-waste tips for switching to solid shampoo:

• Don't get discouraged on the 1st wash: switching to natural products, as with skincare, requires a bit of an adjustment period. Before switching to solid shampoo, I advise you to first change your silicone shampoo to a natural, silicone-free version but still in a bottle format. This makes the change less radical and gives your hair time to get rid of so-called "chemical" ingredients.
• Choose the right one: yes, sorry, that's a bit of a cliché tip, but you have to try it and not give up if the first one doesn't work. Personally, my favorites are those from the brand Pachamamaï. To start in the world of solid shampoo, I recommend the Sweetie which is suitable for everyone, even children. It lathers, smells good, washes perfectly, and leaves hair hydrated, and above all, it's equivalent to 2 bottles of classic shampoo, so it lasts an eternity. And for travel, it takes up very little space in your suitcase and you no longer have to worry about the capacity.

For the "I need my super specific shampoo" team (I'm blonde and I can't find my blue shampoo in bulk), well, that's okay. Keep your shampoo in a bottle because everyone has different needs and everyone does their best! ☺

Zero Waste Tips for Toothpaste Too

You have to try it to believe it, but solid toothpaste has improved enormously in recent years. Just like shampoos, the solid version of toothpaste is offered by many brands that can also be found in supermarkets (so no more excuses). If lather is also an essential criterion for you, you can find some that are as foamy and, above all, as effective as the one Mac Lesggy recommends (I hope you get the reference). You'll find them for all tastes and all ages, with some fruitier variants for children (and which are edible). Depending on your needs, check whether they contain fluoride or not.

Tip: My advice is not to overuse charcoal ones. They are great for whitening teeth but can be a bit "abrasive" for enamel. I therefore advise you to use them as a treatment for 3 weeks/1 month for example, or a maximum of twice a week.

Bonus Tip: To whiten your teeth, you can use coconut oil, which you leave in your mouth for 15/20 minutes. Be careful, you must do it as a cure for about 3 weeks. The oil will dissolve impurities and restore radiance to your teeth.

If solid really isn't for you, there are refillable versions, such as those offered by the brand What Matters, or paste versions, like the one from Endro.

Tip: Don't forget your toothbrush! It also comes in an eco-friendly version, either in bamboo, compostable material, or even rechargeable like this one from the Apo brand.

Other Eco-friendly but Not Hippie Zero-Waste Tips:

• Say no to samples: we all know they're going to stay at the bottom of a drawer or in that "special samples" pouch. Only take it if it's a sample of a product you're really hesitant to buy, in which case it's interesting because it will prevent you from buying a product you won't finish.
• Stop travel sizes: opt for refillable bottles if needed, but stop buying the travel size of your favorite cream for a 2-day weekend in Deauville. Because we all know that you won't use that cream entirely during the weekend, and it will already be expired for your next vacation.
• Ladies, opt for zero-waste menstrual protection like period panties or a menstrual cup.
• Opt for a solid deodorant or one packaged in cardboard for easy recycling. My favorite is from the brand Les petits Prödiges.
• Think about sorting in the bathroom too!

And a Clean Bathroom in All of This?

Yes, zero waste is great, but if you clean your bathroom ecologically, it's even better! Vinegar is your best friend, and it's available in bulk! Against limescale, it's UNBEATABLE! Add baking soda to your drain, and say goodbye to drains clogged with hair and soap!

I hope this article helps you, and most importantly, do your best, no one is perfect!

If you have other zero-waste tips, please share them in the comments ☺

Kisses, kisses

Cathy