No More Single-Use Plastics: Rethink Your Haircare Routine
1. Plastics (600 x 450)
If your shower feels like a graveyard of half-used plastic bottles, you’re not alone. I used to line them up like trophies. Turns out, the planet hates that lineup even more than we do.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth. The beauty industry pumps out over 120 million pieces of packaging every year. Tossing bottles in the recycling bin feels good, but it’s often just a feel-good move.
Most plastic doesn’t get recycled. Really. Of the seven plastic types, only #1 and #2 are widely recyclable in the US. The rest? Landfill. Or worse, the ocean, where over a million marine animals die each year from plastic pollution.
Mic drop.
The news isn’t all doom. Some hair products use high-density polyethylene (#2), which can be recycled. That tiny triangle with a number inside? That’s the plastic ID.
• 1 and 2 = good news
• 3 to 7 = nope
And if a brand doesn’t say its packaging is recyclable? That silence says a lot.
So how do you actually cut down on single-use plastic without sacrificing your hair? Easy. You go plastic-free—and smart about it.
That’s where shampoo and conditioner bars come in. I was skeptical too. Now I’m hooked.
2. What Are Bar Shampoos and Conditioners?
Think soap. But for your hair. And way better.
Traditional shampoo is mostly water, stuffed in plastic, and somehow never fully empties. Bars skip the water and the bottle. They come solid, usually wrapped in cardboard, and you use every last bit.
One bar can replace three to five bottles. That’s less waste and more money in your pocket. Win-win.
They don’t lather as much, and that’s a good thing. Less foam usually means fewer harsh ingredients. Your hair keeps its natural oils and feels softer over time.
Yes, there’s a learning curve. But once you get it, there’s no going back.
3. Great for All Hair Types: Viori Hidden Waterfall Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
These bars are honestly stunning. I almost didn’t want to use mine.
They’re made with Longsheng rice, inspired by the Red Yao women known for their long, glossy hair. And no, that’s not just a pretty story—it works.
They nourish, repair, and strengthen without weighing hair down. Reviews back it up. Thousands of them.
They’re plastic-free, cruelty-free, sustainable, and pH balanced. Sounds too perfect. Somehow, they really are.
4. Best for Curly Hair: Ethique Curl-Defining Shampoo and Curliosity Conditioner Bars
If you have curls, you know the struggle. Too much lather equals dry, angry hair.
Ethique gets it. Their curl duo uses castor oil to clean gently, not strip. Shea butter, cocoa butter, and glycerin bring the moisture without the heaviness.
Curls stay soft. Defined. Happy.
And yes, zero plastic.
5. Best for Oily Scalps: J.R. Liggett’s Tea Tree and Hemp Oil Shampoo Bar
Oily hair usually wants foam. I get that fear.
This bar delivers. Tea tree oil cleans and calms the scalp, while olive, almond, and hemp oils keep hair balanced. Coconut oil adds just enough lather to feel satisfying.
Bonus points: it helps with dandruff and itchiness too. Pair it with the conditioner bar, and you’re golden.
6. Is Plastic-Free Shampoo Enough?
It’s a great start. But your routine doesn’t end in the shower.
Think about your styling products. Your tools. Even your dry shampoo. Small swaps add up fast.
Here are a few plastic-free favorites I genuinely love.
7. Superzero Solid Hair Treatment
This is my rescue product.
Sun, AC, late nights—it all shows up in your ends. This solid treatment works as a serum or an overnight mask.
No sulfates. No silicones. Just deep moisture and smooth hair. One product, many uses, zero plastic.
8. Kitsch Hair Wax Stick
Light. Clean. No crunchy mess.
It’s made in the US, vegan, cruelty-free, and packaged in FSC-certified paper. Rare combo.
It smooths flyaways without feeling heavy. And it barely smells, which I love.
9. Zero Waste Store Bamboo Hair Brush
Why are we still brushing our hair with plastic?
This bamboo paddle brush looks beautiful and feels gentle. The handle and bristles are bamboo. The cushion is natural rubber.
No plastic. No static. Just smooth detangling.
10. Jack Henry Hair Paste
This one surprised me.
It’s non-greasy and packed with plant and protein extracts. You get hold, texture, shine—and healthy hair underneath.
It comes in a glass jar with plastic-free shipping. Just rinse the jar before recycling.
11. Lumi Dry Shampoo Powder
Aerosol dry shampoo is sneaky bad. VOCs pollute the air and fuel climate change.
Lumi skips the spray. It’s a simple powder in cardboard packaging with just three ingredients:
• Arrowroot powder
• Kaolin clay
• Raw cacao powder
