The Best 2021 Zero Waste Hair Care

The best zero waste hair care products that are clean and healthy for the planet without asking you to compromise on your high quality standards.

The best zero waste hair care products that are clean and healthy for the planet without asking you to compromise on your high quality standards. 

Estimated Read Time: 7 minutes

Zero waste hair care is taking over and we’re totally here for it (obviously)! 😉

Although your favorite hair care products might feel good for you and your hair, the plastics containing those products, along with its ingredients, might not be so good for you or the environment. 

Shampoo, conditioner, hair serum, you name it, almost everything you find on those big box store shelves come loaded with harmful ingredients (sulfates and silicone) surrounded in pretty plastic bottles. How conditioned are we to see and want hair products in a bottle? Pardon the pun.

Regardless of where you're at in your zero waste hair care journey, navigating hundreds of products often feels intimidating and exhausting so we did you a favor and did the dirty work. 

We came up with some of the best zero waste hair care products below to add to your routine ASAP. Hopefully this will inspire you to transition to a 100% zero waste hair care routine.

Zero Waste Shampoo and Conditioner 

Rows of shampoo and conditioner bars in a variety of colors

Every year, 550 million empty shampoo bottles are discarded in the United States alone. Shockingly, this statistic excludes conditioner, body wash, and other bathroom products. 

The good news is that zero-waste shampoos and conditioners are readily available now!

Zero waste shampoo and conditioner bars are not only better for our planet (carbon footprint reduction, plastic free, zero waste) but they also last up to twice as long as bottled products and take up significantly less space (Perfect for you, jet-setter)!

Shampoo and conditioner bars are one of simplest steps you can take towards achieving a zero waste bathroom. And when you've used up your bar, it's gone... for good!

And don't forget- these zero waste bars are highly concentrated so you’ll need much less product than you think!

Our Favorite Zero Waste Shampoo and Conditioner Bar That *Actually* Works

Suds & Co

“Sustainably sourced with all-natural ingredients, teeming with organic nourishment that hair loves”.

Close your eyes, allow yourself a moment to inhale and exhale as you imagine yourself surrounded by paradise on a white sand beach with the sun radiating down on you as a soft tropical breeze blows through your hair. This Sunshine bar is sure to teleport you to tropical paradise within moments. 

Orange Sunshine shampoo & conditioner bars side by side on white + bamboo soap dish

This zero waste deodorant comes in a glass jar that can be recycled or upcycled after use and is packaged in 100% recyclable materials. Everything is shipped entirely plastic free.

Meet Our Favorite: #1 Bestseller Suds & Co Sunshine Shampoo and Conditioner Bars 
  • Suited for all hair types
  • Vegan, Silicone and paraben free, SLS free, no artificial fillers or preservatives 
  • 75+ washes per bar (varies per the user)
  • 100% recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable packaging!
  • Proudly featured in: American Airlines Magazine, Health Magazine, Buzzfeed, and Reader’s Digest
Shop Zero Waste Store ($13.99)

And don’t forget to keep your bars safe! 

Extend the life of your bars by pairing with a Suds & Co. Soap Lift. One bar per soap lift. Make sure this perfect duo remains out of water’s sight which will allow for adequate drying. This soap lift will live on for years… if you treat it well 😄. 

Beige soap lift made from corn-based plastic.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Hair Rinse 

Surprisingly, not only is apple cider vinegar fantastic in your morning beverage, but it also has a lot of other uses such as a wonderful conditioner for your hair. 

There can be an adjustment period when transitioning from one hair care product to another causing a disruption to your hair’s pH. A balanced pH level is extremely important for the health of your hair. If it’s in a state of imbalance, you may notice an irritated scalp, dull, dry, or frizzy hair. If your hair and scalp need some TLC, look no further. 

Chagrin Valley glass jar of Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse on top of cloth
Meet Our Favorite Zero Waste Hair Rinse: Chagrin Valley Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
  • Certified Organic
  • Vegan
  • Non-GMO
  • Plastic-free
  • Apply this zero waste vegan hair care rinse once per month, as an alternative to your conditioner. Think of this as a monthly deep conditioning treatment. Your scalp and hair will love you! 
Shop on Zero Waste Store ($21)

Bamboo Hair Brush

Plastic lurks in just about everything, even your hair brush! Most combs and hairbrushes that you find on supermarket shelves are made out of plastic but did you know there is a 100% Zero Waste Bamboo brush that does the same trick as your traditional hairbrush? 

Unlike those traditional hair brushes that ever so quickly lose their plastic bristles (so annoying, right?) bamboo brushes are sure to remain intact and in great shape. But once it reaches the end of its life and has served its purpose, it’s indeed compostable. 

Bamboo is one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable materials on the planet and an essential part of an everyday zero waste hair care routine. 

Bamboo Hair Brush on top of linen blanket
Meet Our Favorite: Bamboo Hair Brush
Benefits of this #1 Bestseller:
  • 100% Bamboo and Compostable
  • Less static when brushing
  • Gentle detangling process
  • Healthier, shinier, and stronger hair
  • May last a lifetime if responsibly taken care of (see care instructions)
Shop on Zero Waste Store ($19)

Zero Waste Hair Ties

For most of us, hair ties aren’t just a cute fun hair accessory, they’re essential to our day. 

Sadly, the majority of hair ties and scrunchies you find at the supermarket are composed of synthetic material, aka not biodegradable and generally made from fossil fuels. Good news though! You don’t have to abandon hair ties altogether – Thanks to Kooshoo!

Kooshoo zero waste hair ties in black
Meet Our Favorite: Zero Waste Hair Ties From Kooshoo
  • Dyed with certified organic dyes
  • Manufactured using ethically sourced materials such as natural rubber and GOTS certified organic cotton
  • 100% biodegradable
  • Completely slip-free! 
  • Always plastic free
Shop on Zero Waste Store ($15.50/5 Pack) 

Zero Waste Hair Serum

Beauty trends come and go, but this hair serum by Elleada is here to stay for a multitude of reasons! 

Do your strands need a little extra shine and nourishment? Fighting with daily flyaways and frizz? Hair serums can help if your hair is in need of a little extra care and attention. 

This zero waste hair serum by Elleada is all natural and does an incredible job of smoothing your strands with a beautiful array of essential oils, vitamins, minerals, and herbs. This serum offers a wide array of benefits and your hair and scalp are sure to thank you for it. 

Elleada zero waste hair serum in glass jars
Meet Our Favorite Zero Waste Hair Serum: Elleada Hair Strengthening Serum 
  • Vegan
  • All Natural
  • Rich in Vitamins and Minerals A, B, C, D, and K, Iron, Silica
  • Ideal for those who are experiencing dandruff, hair loss, slow hair growth, dermatitis, dry and itchy scalp. 
Shop on Zero Waste Store ($44.95 - $79.95) 

Refillable Hair Repair

Struggling with flat lifeless hair? Tired of trying to tame flyaways? This refillable hair repair serum from Plaine Products is a life saver! Not only does this versatile serum tame flyaways, it can also be used as a detangler, to repair split ends, and before going out in the sun to prevent drying out. 

When you’ve reached the end of the bottle, order a refill and send your bottle back. Each bottle will be washed, sanitized, and used again! 

Elleada zero waste hair serum in glass jars
Meet Our Favorite: Refillable Hair Serum
  • Vegan & Cruelty-Free
  • Whole Essential Oils — No Fragrance
  • Baby safe and hypoallergenic 
  • Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicone and palm oil
Shop on Zero Waste Store ($15)

Living out a 100% zero waste lifestyle isn’t something that happens overnight, it’s a process for each one of us, so be easy on yourself. Do what you can when you can and rely on your zero waste community for ideas and support. 

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