Hand soap is probably one product that we use the most. On average, we wash our hands 10-20 times every day. So our choice of hand soap is very important – we come in contact with it more than any other cleaning product!
We recommend going for a zero waste hand soap that is plastic-free and eco-friendly. Eco-friendly soaps, crafted from sustainably sourced, naturally derived ingredients, usually come in recyclable or compostable packaging, reducing waste and lessening reliance on single-use plastic. Unlike commercial soaps that may contain harsh chemicals harmful to both skin and the environment, eco-friendly options are typically free from parabens, phthalates, and artificial fragrances, ensuring safety for our health and the planet.
Many eco-friendly soaps are cruelty-free and vegan, aligning with ethical and sustainable practices. Formulated with moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera and natural oils, these soaps hydrate and nourish the skin, catering to various skin types, including sensitive and dry skin. Additionally, some eco-friendly soaps, available in concentrated or dissolvable forms, reduce packaging waste and prove cost-effective over time, contributing to a cleaner environment, supporting sustainable practices, and promoting healthier skincare routines.
What Makes a Hand Soap Zero Waste?
A hand soap is considered zero waste when it minimizes or eliminates waste throughout its lifecycle. Here are a few things to look for when shopping for zero-waste hand soap:
- Packaging: Zero-waste hand soaps will be packaged in materials that are recyclable, compostable, or reusable. This reduces the amount of waste generated from the packaging.
- Ingredients: Zero-waste hand soaps are typically made with sustainably sourced, naturally-derived ingredients. They avoid the use of harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and unnecessary additives that can be harmful to the environment.
- Refillable: The soap should come in refillable formats, such as concentrated liquid soap, dissolving tablets, or solid bars. This allows you to reuse the same dispenser or container, minimizing the need for single-use plastic bottles.
Our Recommendations
We reviewed and selected the best zero waste hand soaps, focusing on plant-based ingredients and refillable packaging. Here are our recommendations.
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Tangie Hand Soap Concentrate dissolves to make one gallon of liquid hand soap. It offers refill options for foaming soap dispensers at a cost of less than $1.50 each. It comes in Unscented, Citrus (scented with Wild Orange, Palmarosa, and Pink Grapefruit essential oils), and Lavender (scented with French Lavender essential oil) scents. This zero-waste soap is made from coconut oil, olive oil pomace, jojoba oil, almond oil, glycerin, aloe vera, and rosemary oleoresin. The packaging is made of lightweight cardboard, which is recyclable or compostable.
About Tangie
The founder of Tangie began creating waste-free products due to sensitivities to store-bought products. Starting with a desire to clean windows naturally, she discovered that you can use water and vinegar instead of a commercial cleaner. Concerned about petroleum-based ingredients, she sought alternatives and developed plastic-free laundry soap using natural ingredients like yucca root, hazelnuts, and soap nuts. Tangie products, including laundry soap, are waste-free, packaged or package-free, and shipped with minimal plastic.
Tirtyl's Hand Soap Duo Kit includes two amber glass foam dispensers, one storage tin, and six hand soap tablets (2 of each fragrance). Each tablet dissolves in tap water to create 8 fl oz of foaming hand soap. The soap tablets are cleansing and moisturizing, suitable for dry and sensitive skin, and free from parabens or phthalates. Tirtyl's soap tablets save time, money, and space, with convenient and cost-effective refills compared to traditional soaps. The kit is expected to last up to 6 months with frequent use and come in 100% compostable packaging.
About Tirtyl
Tirtyl products are designed and developed in Australia by our talented team of staff and advisors. They are committed to using safe and non-toxic ingredients in all of their products, which are formulated without parabens, phosphates, ammonia, VOCs, chlorine bleach, triclosan, alcohol, and phthalates. Additionally, their products are vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, featuring a biodegradable formula with surfactants.
Tirtyl’s goal is to demonstrate that businesses can prioritize responsible practices and still thrive. With ongoing support, the brand intends to persist in their mission to “unwaste” the planet through sustainable products, profits, and positive impact on people. Tirtyl collected 5 million bottles of ocean-bound plastic, surpassing the initial target with the support of their customers.
This eco-friendly bar soap minimizes packaging and water usage compared to liquid body wash or hand soap It is made with sustainably sourced, naturally-derived ingredients, including olive and coconut oils, and is vegan. Ethique soap bars are deliciously bubbly and non-drying, infused with the zingy sweet orange essential oil and natural vanilla fragrance for a touch of sweetness. Suitable for all skin types, each bar offers up to 40 uses and is suitable for both hands and body.
About Ethique
In 2012, the founder Brianne West initiated the journey by developing formulas in her kitchen in Ōtautahi (Christchurch), Aotearoa (New Zealand) which later became the foundation for her brand, Ethique. At that time, plastic-free products were not a significant concern, and solid beauty bars, which Ethique specializes in, were not widely available. In 2015, Brianne successfully crowdfunded capital to expand the business, leading to international sales by 2016. Despite the global presence and operations in more than 22 countries, Ethique maintains a small, entrepreneurial, and mission-led approach. The company is dedicated to creating products that are better for both individuals and the planet.
This is a great eco-friendly foaming hand soap that you can refill with a dissolving tablet and regular tap water. The bottle is made of glass and the tables are 100% and come in compostable paper-based packaging. The soap contains plant and mineral-based ingredients that clean without harsh chemicals and is free from parabens, dyes, and phthalates. It is safe for kids and pets, being hypoallergenic, EPA Safer Choice Certified, Leaping Bunny Certified, Cruelty-Free, Vegan, B Corp Certified, and Climate Neutral.
About Blueland
Blueland was founded in 2019 by Sarah Paiji Yoo and John Mascari because they wanted to address the issue of plastic waste in the cleaning product industry. Blueland’s mission is centered around reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainability in household cleaning. The brand encourages a shift from traditional cleaning products packaged in single-use plastic bottles to its innovative tablet system. The tablets are designed to dissolve in water, creating a cleaning solution in reusable bottles and minimizing the environmental impact of plastic waste.
Grove Co. hand wash refill is a hydrating and concentrated soap refill designed for use with the and reusable hand soap dispenser. The soap is gentle on the hands without drying the skin, with a hydrating formula infused with moisturizing aloe vera. The fragrance is derived from 100% natural essential oils and plant extracts, with various scent options. This biodegradable liquid hand wash contains 97% plant-based ingredients, free from harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, phosphates, chlorine bleach, or dyes. The soap refills are packaged in recyclable aluminum and a recycled Kraft paper box.
About Grove Co.
Grove Collaborative was founded in 2012 by Stuart Landesberg, Chris Clark, and Jordan Savage. The company started as an online platform offering natural and eco-friendly products for the home. Over the years, it has grown to become a popular subscription service, delivering a variety of sustainable and non-toxic products directly to customers’ doors.
The mission of Grove Co. revolves around making it easy for consumers to choose and use healthier, sustainable, and effective products in their daily lives. The company is committed to providing a curated selection of eco-friendly and non-toxic items for cleaning, personal care, and more. Grove Co. focuses on transparency about the ingredients used in their products and works to minimize the environmental impact of packaging.
These hand sheets are quick-dissolving, requiring only water to lather up and create a rich, cleansing foam, leaving hands refreshed and clean. To use, simply add one sheet to 4 ounces of water in a pump bottle dispenser and start using the liquid soap. Enriched with natural ingredients, the sheets are gentle on all skin types, effectively cleaning dirt and germs while leaving hands soft and moisturized without harmful chemicals.
About Zero Trace
Zero Trace is on a mission to revolutionize home cleaning through their eco-friendly solutions. Their product range, which goes beyond laundry to cover all home care needs, aims to provide a cleaner home without compromising the health of the planet. Zero Trace believes that using their environmentally friendly solutions can contribute to the protection of endangered species by eliminating harmful plastics and reducing pollution in their habitats. The brand advocates for conscious consumer action to address the global issue of plastic waste, suggesting that widespread changes in daily habits can significantly reduce the billions of tons of plastic wasted each year.
Choose Sustainable
Minimizing our environmental impact takes careful selection of products that we use everyday. We strive to provide the best options on the market for each product that you are using in your home and for your family. We have reviewed the best eco-friendly shampoos, laundry detergents, dish soaps and many other products.