Toiletries and using less plastic

Paul1255 · ‎21-06-2019

When I started my own listing 18 months ago I bought hotel-style individual toiletries to leave in the guest room when guests checked-in.

Almost all guests would use them, take them home or comment on them- but I suppose only because I provided them...they were never expected!

Last year @Lizzie started a thread about plastics and going plastic free, which really made me think about my plastic and single plastic use.

Another community member, I think @Kath9 in Australia suggested using large dispensers in the bathroom and then refilling those- and now I have run-out of those naughty little individual bottles I have purchased pump bottles for the bathroom and big 5 litre refills to top them up.

I have bought them for my own listing as well as all of the listings I manage, to try and do my bit.

I still feel bad, everything is still made of plastic (the bathroom dispensers, the big refills and the pumps) but certainly it’s less plastic than a new bottle every few guests and I hope it’ll make a bit of a difference 🙂

What does everyone else do in their listings?

Paul :

Paul1255 · ‎28-07-2019

I love the refillable glass bottles @Kenn-And-Susan0 ! Guests always use them and bring them to be refilled or I give them a fresh one each morning.

Dispensers in the bathroom is a game-changer! Refilling is so cheap and they look very professional.

Dimitar27 · ‎28-07-2019

Refills are cheaper. That`s why i use them. Liquid soap, shower gel and shampoo.

Jillian61 · ‎21-08-2019

I'm so happy to see this conversation here! Awareness about the damage Plastic waste is causing has become a huge environmental/health issue (research microplastics in the food chain!), so every bit of action we can take in spreading the word helps.

We focus on eco-friendly awareness in my home, so refillable containers are a given in the kitchen & bath. I try my best to buy plastic-free (and it is HARD!), but I do what I can. I also ask guests to not use chemically-scented personal products, so I provide high quality soaps, shampoos, shaving cream, and lotions that guests can use. This is not an area that I worry about "cheap". My attitude is it's better to provide the best you can afford, and charge an extra $ if you need to!

A couple of things I've not seen mentioned: it's the single-use plastic packaging that is one of the hardest things to avoid, so I use a subscription for toilet paper (Who Gives A Crap) Yes, really, that's their name! :D. They have tp, tissues, and paper towels that are all made sustainably using bamboo, and they use NO plastic in packaging or shipping.

I have a pile of fabric and re-usable bags by the front door, and encourage my guests to borrow them if they are going shopping.

We have a whole house filter system, and drinking water is double-filtered. I think this makes guests feel safe about drinking the water, so I rarely find that they are using plastic bottled water. I also have a few stainless steel "go cups" for guests to borrow if they want.

I have a long ways to go, but there are many other little habits I utilize in my home, and I'm currently working on a sheet (or perhaps a little booklet) with eco-friendly tips and recommendations that my guests will be able to use.

Thank you @Paul1255 for starting this thread, and thank you everyone for caring! I look forward to any other tips people might have...

Casey241 · ‎22-03-2021

I use a similar dispenser (https://bathroomer.org/best-shower-dispenser/#product_5) It can be refilled, nice design, no regular waste. As for me using dispensers is an optimal solution.