Almost all cosmetic packaging is thrown away, with 95% ending up in landfill. Given the Australian cosmetics industry was valued at $17.25bn in 2025, this represents a huge volume of waste. Nearly 60% of beauty packaging is plastic, and complex items like spray bottles and pumps are difficult to recycle.
The simplest way to reduce plastic in the bathroom is to switch from bottles of hand and body wash to bars of soap. Many organic grocers and health food stores sell Australian bars made from natural ingredients, some unwrapped or tied with string. Avigon Paphitis, beauty startup adviser and founder of Gorgeous Nothings, recommends allowing bar soap to ventilate on a draining dish between uses.
Shampoo and conditioner bars are also an option. Dr Anita Vandyke, author of A Zero Waste Life: In Thirty Days, notes that formulations have improved significantly. Paphitis recommends Spanish brand Rowse and Italian brand Davines Love, while locally made bars are available at most supermarkets. However, performance depends on hair type, so some trial and error may be needed.
Other product categories like cleansers and deodorants can also be swapped for bars. Noosa Basics offers bar deodorants in reusable aluminium tins. If bars are not suitable, refillable bottles are a good alternative. The Source Bulk Foods has around 50 bulk refill stores across Australia, offering liquid soaps, shampoos and conditioners. Supermarkets sell refillable hand and body wash from brands like Thankyou, Koala Eco, Grown Alchemist, Aesop and Ikkari.
Shampoo and conditioner refills are harder to find, but Australian brands Hunter Lab, Skelp and The Commonfolk offer them. However, the soft pouches cannot go in kerbside recycling and must be returned to a specialist recycler. For skincare, Dr Vandyke advises buying less and focusing on products you will actually finish. Opt for glass or aluminium packaging where possible, and avoid single-use items like makeup wipes.
