Zero-waste, plastic-free options:
Handwash Soap (bars):
- Can be found packaging free at Refill shops, online shops or health shops.
- List of Irish soap makers.
- Compostable soap dish.
- DIY soap dish made from popsicle sticks.
- How to reuse and recycle soap scraps.
Handwash Soap (liquid):
- Liquid soap can be bought at Refill shops – bring your own bottle or dispenser.
- Forgo Handwash – powder in paper sachets, dilute with water.
Facial Soap (bars):
- Facial bars can be found at Refill shops, online shops, or from some of these sellers.
- Reusable cotton cleansing pads
Face Toner:
- Recipe – Make your own facial toner.
Face Moisturiser:
- Solid moisturiser can be bought online or at some online shops and Refill Shops.
- Face cream in aluminium tin or glass jar with aluminium lid – from All Earth – UK (ships to Ireland).
- Shea Butter – can be used as a moisturiser and bought from zero waste shops.
- Coconut oil – can be used as a moisturiser – available as a refill from zero waste shops.
Shampoo (liquid):
- Can be bought at Refill Shops – bring your own bottle.
Shampoo (bars):
- Solid shampoo bars without packaging can be bought online or at Refill Shops.
Conditioner (liquid):
- Can be bought at Refill Shops – bring your own bottle.
Conditioner (bars):
- Solid conditioner bars can be bought at online shops and Refill Shops.
Hair Colour (bars):
- Lush sell henna hair dye in solid block form, which you melt with hot water before use.
Brushes and Combs:
Toothpaste and Floss:
- Toothpaste tablets can be bought from most Refill Shops. Most are made by Georganics.
- Georganics Tooth Soap – solid toothpaste.
- Smyle Toothpaste Tabs – refill packs.
- Mouthwash Tablets – dissolve in water
- Colgate Smile for Good toothpaste – tube is made of HDPE and can be put in the recycle bin when empty (no need to wash the tube according to Colgate’s website).
- Compostable Floss – refill.
Toothbrushes:
- Little Comfort 100% biodegradable toothbrush – Bamboo handle and bamboo bristles.
- Change Bamboo – bamboo handle and bamboo bristles.
- Curanatura – bamboo handle, bamboo bristles.
- Electric Toothbrush heads – Oral B LiveCoco charcoal brush heads can be sent back to the company for recycling – information on how to do this is on their website.
Body Wash (bars):
- Can be bought at online shops and Refill Shops.
Deoderant:
- Wild Deoderant – solid deoderants and refills
- Pit Putty – deodorant in a tin.
- Vico – roll-on solid deoderant in a cardboard applicator – made in Ireland.
- Freedom Cosmetics – solid deoderant in cardboard – based in Newry, delivers to Republic.
- Solid deodorant and deodorant bars can be bought at online shops and Refill Shops.
Body Scrub:
- Body Scrub – from used coffee grounds
Cotton Buds:
- Biodegradable Bamboo Cotton buds – can be found at many online shops. Link says they can be composted.
Men’s Products:
- Shaving Soap – can be bought at online shops and Refill Shops.
- Shaving soap with aloe vera
- Beard and face balm
- Razors:
- Stainless Steel Safety Razor – for men and women
- Shaving.ie – metal razors and blades
- FFS Beauty – for men and women
- Safety razors can be put in the recycling bin, where they will be picked up by magnets, according to MyWaste.ie
Women’s Products:
- Menstrual Cups:
- Reusable Menstrual Cups can be bought at online shops and Refill Shops.
- Mooncup
- Boots pre-birth menstrual cup
- Washable Sanitary Pads:
Where to Buy?
Packaging Recycling:
- Terracycle in partnership with L’Occitane recycle packaging that is normally not accepted by local recycling companies. Packaging can be dropped off at L’Occitane shops around Ireland.
- Your local Lush shop will take back their plastic packaging and recycle it.
- The Body Shop and Boots may have in-store recycling bins.
- The Perfume Shop – locations in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Athlone – will recycle old perfume bottles.