Rinse and repeat - it's a phrase on every shampoo bottle and we gladly follow the direction given to us in the shower.
Rinsing and repeating isn't necessary, it's just a tactic to get you to use more shampoo than you actually need. In addition to driving up shampoo sales though it is also helping contribute to the rise in plastic production and waste. That's because most shampoo is bottled into convenient, yet destructive, plastic bottles.
If you're looking to cut back on your plastic consumption, or go plastic free, then we've got you covered.
How is bottled shampoo bad for the environment?
Shampoo itself isn't the problem, it's those pesky plastic bottles.
They're a bit more than pesky though, the facts are quite grim.
- more than 552 million shampoo bottles could be ending up in landfills every year;
- the number of shampoo bottles thrown out in the United States every year could fill 1,164 football fields; and
- only 1 in 5 people consistently recycle items from the bathroom.
The best way to cut down on plastic waste making its way into landfills, and our oceans, is to eliminate the plastic completely. Shampoo bars function like soap, but they are specifically made for your hair giving you a nice sudsy wash without the harmful plastic waste.
What are the types of alternatives to bottled shampoo?
Fortunately there are a variety of eco-friendly alternatives to traditional bottled shampoo. These alternatives could be:
- Shampoo bars
- Refillable shampoo
- Dry shampoo
- Homemade shampoo
The best eco-friendly bottled shampoo alternatives
1) Public Goods shampoo bar
Price: $20.85 for 3
Materials: Made from sustainably sourced organic palm and palm kernel oils, organic olive and coconut oils, and an organic lavender essential oil blend including rosemary extract and aloe vera.
Brand ethics: Public Goods is committed to 100% recycled, post-consumer plastic bottles and tree-free paper, as well as sourcing organic ingredients and avoiding toxic chemicals. They also donate excess products and offset carbon production both through reforestation and carbon-neutral shipping.
This solid shampoo bar provides everything you love about liquid shampoo but without the plastic bottle. Compact and easy to use, just wet and lather for the same rich, luxurious, sulfate-free clean you get from any other haircare product.
2) Alpine Provisions aluminum bottled shampoo
Price: $38.00 for a bottle of shampoo and conditioner
Materials: Organic and vegan, made of a blend of natural soap ingredients, oils, and fragrances.
Brand ethics: Not only does Alpine Provisions create natural, organic, and vegan products but they are committed to being 100% plastic free by packaging all of their soaps in aluminum.
A special blend of purifying Rosemary and refreshing Mint extract bring you an invigorating and all-natural shampoo. This natural shampoo and conditioner offers nourishing lather and color-safe performance, ideal for most hair types. Packaged in a recyclable aluminum bottle.
3) The earthling co shampoo bar
Price: $15.99
Materials: Made from coconut oil, apricot seed oil, panthenol, and glycerin.
Brand ethics: The Earthling Co is committed to reducing plastic waste created by personal products. They carefully source sustainable materials for all of their products and package them in plastic-free packaging to limit waste and their eco footprint. They are climate-neutral certified meaning they carefully measure their carbon footprint and implement ways to offset and reduce their environmental impact.
This shampoo bar has everything you want and none of the bad stuff you try to avoid in your hair care routine. It creates a luscious lather that gently removes build up, and leaves your hair soft and clean. This shampoo is curly hair-friendly and can be used on color-treated/bleached hair because it doesn't have SLS or any harsh, stripping ingredients, making it better for you and for the planet.
By switching to shampoo and conditioner bars, you can divert up to 15 plastic bottles every year!
4) DIY
Price: varies
Materials: Varies
Homemade shampoo is fairly easy to make and you don't even need to be a soap-making expert. Making your own shampoo at home using natural ingredients such as baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and coconut oil can reduce your carbon footprint and eliminate the need for plastic packaging