Slow Living: Bathroom

Refill your medicine cabinet with biodegradable, affordable options

• Compostable toothbrush

It’s recommended to switch to a new toothbrush every three months, which results in over 3.6 billion plastic toothbrushes worldwide ending up in landfills every year. Instead of cheap plastic toothbrushes, try plant-based bamboo brushes that go back into the earth. Brushes from companies like California-based Mother Vault and bmbu feature handles that are 100% biodegradable, with BPA-free bristles that can be recycled. Extra bonus, even the toothbrush packaging is either compostable or recyclable.

• Natural toothpaste

Toothpaste containers are usually made of plastic, and almost impossible to reuse or recycle. Try whipping up a batch of your own toothpaste at home using simple ingredients like coconut oil, baking soda, and peppermint oil, and store it in a glass jar in a cool place.

• Soap

Body washes often contain chemicals and preservatives that are harmful to your skin, and most come in plastic packaging or containers. Dr. Bronner’s bar soap is made with organic and fair-trade ingredients, and wrapped in fully biodegradable “100% post-consumer recycled paper,” which means previously used paper that’s been saved from disposal in a landfill and repurposed. #winwin

Trying out any Slow Living alternatives? Tag @theslowfactory to share your journey with us!