Recycling from the bathroom
In the bathroom, we use plastic in all shapes and sizes. However, many of these items end up being wrongly put in the rubbish bin.
We already brave battles in the bathroom, from blocked toilets to blitzing black mould. The battle against bathroom plastics is another one we can win by simply recycling our bathroom products.
If you can battle through your dog’s bath time, you can recycle the shampoo bottle. 86% of us already do but there’s always room to recycle more.
Don’t bottle it in the bathroom.
If everyone in the UK recycled one bathroom cleaner bottle, enough energy could be saved to vacuum around 82,460 homes.
We’ve drawn up a handy list of the top 10 items that can (and should) be recycled from the bathroom as well as 5 storage hacks to help keep your bathroom clutter free and recycling in order.
The top 10 things everyone can recycle from their bathroom
- Shampoo bottles
- Conditioner bottles
- Shower gel and bubble bath bottles
- Cardboard boxes e.g. toothpaste or soap boxes
- Toilet roll tubes
- Bathroom cleaner and bleach bottles (even the spray dispenser can be recycled)
- Deodorants
- Shaving foam
- Hand soap bottles (but remember you can’t recycle the pump dispenser)
- Moisturiser bottles
Top tips:
- Squash your bottles and replace the lid or spray dispenser.
- Pump dispensers can’t be recycled.
5 hacks to help you keep your bathroom recycling in check
1. Hang a bag on the back of the door
If you’re short on floor space, raise your recycling! There are some really stylish and pretty bags out there, why not choose one to match your colour scheme and hang it on a hook or the door handle?
2. Hide your empties away in a cupboard or drawer
If you aspire to have a streamlined bathroom, stow your empties in a cupboard or drawer until you’ve collected enough to take them to the main recycling bin.
3. Grab a second bin
Make use of that wasted space under the sink and get a bathroom recycling bin for your plastic bottles, aerosols, toilet roll tubes and toothpaste boxes.
4. Re-purpose a basket or box
Got a pretty basket that you don’t dare throw away? Why not turn it into a bathroom recycling bin. If country classic isn’t your thing, you could choose a storage box with a contemporary feel.
5. Want it sorted right now?
If you prefer to get rid of your empties asap, pop them on the landing or in the dirty laundry basket as soon as you empty them and take them to the recycling bin next time you’re heading downstairs.