13 ways to make your bathroom more sustainable

Bathrooms can be surprisingly resource-heavy — from water use and plastic packaging to chemical cleaners — but a few targeted changes cut their environmental impact. Simple swaps include unbleached bamboo loo roll, solid shampoo and body bars, and refillable or recyclable packaging to reduce plastic waste.

Water savings matter: use a cistern displacement pouch to lower toilet flush volumes, fit a water-saving showerhead or keep the bath plug to track consumption, and favour showers over long baths. Buying preloved sinks, baths and taps reduces embodied carbon and adds character; salvage dealers and secondhand marketplaces are good places to look.

Choose low-chemical finishes and natural materials where you can. Organic cotton towels, hemp shower curtains, low-VOC paint and natural sponges or wooden face brushes avoid microplastics and harsh additives. Reusable period products and compostable cleaning scourers also keep single-use items out of landfill.

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