Low-waste, sustainable haircare

Shampoo and conditioner bottles are among the most common single-use plastics in the bathroom. The good news: the switches available here — bars, refills, washing less — also tend to be cheaper over time and kinder to hair.

Simplify the routine

Most people use more haircare products than they need. Shampoo, conditioner and — if your hair genuinely benefits — one styling product is a complete routine for most hair types. The rest is largely marketing.

Washing frequency is worth reconsidering. Many people wash every day out of habit rather than necessity. Frequent shampooing strips the scalp's natural oils, which can prompt the scalp to produce more oil in response — potentially making the "need" to wash feel more urgent. Gradually extending the time between washes allows the scalp to recalibrate. How often is right varies entirely by hair type, scalp condition, exercise level and personal preference. The goal is a healthy, comfortable scalp — not hitting a specific number of washes per week.

A note for anyone with scalp sensitivities or conditions: this guide is general information. If you have a scalp condition, it's worth talking to a dermatologist or trichologist before significantly changing your routine.

Shampoo and conditioner bars

A shampoo bar is a concentrated solid product that contains enough washes to replace two or more bottles of liquid shampoo — with little or no plastic packaging. Conditioner bars work similarly. When they work well for your hair type, they're a straightforward, lasting switch.

Two types to know about:

• Syndet bars (short for synthetic detergent) have a pH close to that of liquid shampoo and tend to work well across a wider range of hair types, including colour-treated hair. They lather similarly to liquid shampoo and don't cause the hard-water build-up that some traditional soap bars do.
• Soap-based bars are made with saponified oils and have a higher pH. They can work well in soft water but may leave residue or dullness in hard-water areas. An occasional diluted apple cider vinegar rinse (about a tablespoon in a cup of water) can help.

Expect a 2–4 week adjustment period when switching. Your scalp's oil production may shift. If a particular bar doesn't suit you, try another before concluding bars aren't for you — formulations vary considerably.

Refillable and plastic-free liquid options

If bars don't work for your hair, refillable liquid shampoo and conditioner are the next best option for reducing plastic. Several routes are available:

• Brand refill schemes — some haircare brands sell concentrated refill pouches that you add water to at home, or take-back schemes for their packaging.
• Zero-waste and refill stores — bring a clean bottle and fill from a bulk dispenser.
• Glass or aluminium bottles — better than plastic for recyclability, though still worth checking your local recycling accepts them.
• Concentrated formulas — a small amount goes further, reducing both packaging and transport emissions.

Water and energy in the shower

Showers account for a significant share of household water and energy use. Small changes add up quickly. See our complete guide to saving water at home for room-by-room fixes.

• Shorter showers — cutting two minutes off your shower saves a meaningful amount of water per wash. A shower timer (or a song of the right length) is a simple cue.
• Cooler water — heating water is the main energy cost of a shower. A slightly cooler shower is better for hair, too — a cool final rinse closes the hair cuticle and adds shine.
• Turn the water off while you lather, shampoo or shave. "Navy showers" are extreme, but turning off while your conditioner sits is an easy habit.
• A low-flow showerhead reduces water use per minute without reducing pressure noticeably — check with your landlord or building manager if you rent.

Avoiding greenwashing in haircare

Haircare is one of the more heavily greenwashed categories of personal care. Terms like "natural," "clean," "eco" and "botanical" are unregulated and can appear on products with lengthy lists of synthetic additives.

• Read the ingredient list, not the front-of-pack claims. A long list of Latin plant names followed by parabens and synthetic fragrance is not a "natural" product in any meaningful sense.
• "Sulphate-free" is not automatically better. Sulphate-free shampoos use alternative surfactants. Some are gentler; some are not. What matters is how your hair and scalp respond.
• Packaging claims: "recyclable" means the material could theoretically be recycled — it doesn't mean it will be. Check whether the format is accepted in your local recycling stream. Most pump tops and squeezy tubes are not.
• Certifications with real standards include COSMOS Organic/Natural for formulation and GOTS for textiles. Leaf logos and "inspired by nature" copy are not regulated claims.

Styling tools and energy

Hair dryers, straighteners and curling tongs are high-wattage appliances. A few habits reduce their impact:

• Towel-dry or use a microfibre hair towel wrap before heat-styling to reduce drying time significantly.
• Use the lowest heat setting that works — lower heat is better for hair condition as well as energy use.
• Let hair air-dry fully when you have time — a reusable microfibre towel wrap speeds up air-drying.
• Don't leave straighteners and dryers on standby between uses — switch them off and unplug after use.
• A reusable microfibre hair wrap replaces disposable shower caps and absorbs water faster than a standard towel.

Reduce single-use items

Beyond the main bottles, haircare generates a surprising amount of single-use waste. Easy swaps:

• Replace disposable shower caps with a reusable silicone or fabric one.
• Swap small travel bottles (often thrown away after one trip) for reusable silicone travel bottles you fill from your main product.
• Decant into a refillable bottle for the gym or travel rather than buying miniatures.
• Choose hair accessories made from natural materials (wood, steel, fabric) over disposable plastic clips and bands — they last years and look better.

Your sustainable haircare checklist

• Try extending time between washes by one day — see how your scalp responds over a few weeks.
• Finish current products before buying replacements, then switch to a bar or refillable option.
• When trying a shampoo bar: lather in your hands, not directly on hair; rinse thoroughly; give it 2–4 weeks.
• Take shorter, slightly cooler showers — turn off water while conditioner sits.
• Towel-dry before heat-styling and use the lowest effective heat setting.
• Replace any disposable shower cap and travel miniatures with reusables.
• Read ingredient lists rather than relying on "natural" or "eco" front-of-pack claims.