Summer might be on its way out, but as our climate continues to change, the warm weather certainly isn’t! Whether you’re still hiding from the heat or embracing the sun, you’re probably starting your day with a liberal dose of deodorant to keep you fresh. However, nearly all big-brand deodorants come in packaging that ranges from annoyingly hard to recycle to downright ridiculous. It’s common for deodorants to mix glass, plastic, and even metal in a single product, making it almost impossible to recycle any of these easily processed materials.
However, you don’t need to add more waste to the landfill this summer! There are plenty of zero-waste natural deodorants on the market to keep you (and the planet) happy and healthy. We’re going to take a look at 6 of the best zero-waste deodorants, as well as an alternative you can make yourself!
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Grapefruit Lemon Deodorant Cream from Little Seed Farm
This natural zero-waste deodorant from Little Seed Farm is a great alternative to the mass-produced pastes you might be used to. The cream is made of organic natural materials with a 24-hour formula for an efficient deodorant that’s not harming you or the planet.
The cream comes in a glass jar, which can be reused or recycled, and a paper box for transport. Made in Tennessee, this plastic-free alternative is one of the best zero-waste deodorants for this summer!
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Ethique Solid Deodorant Bars
Ethique is a company in New Zealand that has developed a vast range of very popular zero-waste beauty products. One to check out this summer is their range of natural zero-waste deodorants.
They offer a solid deodorant bar, for use in the home, as well as deodorant sticks for on the move. All of them are cruelty-free, vegan, palm oil free, and use sustainable, fair-trade ingredients.
The solid deodorant bars are packaged in home-compostable cardboard meaning you don’t have to worry about polluting plastics, and according to Ethique, they’ll last much longer than their mass-produced counterparts, being equivalent to 2 x 100ml roll-ons.
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The Natural Deodorant Co. Ranges
As the name suggests, this UK-brand focuses on one thing: zero–waste natural deodorants. It’s no surprise then that they are one of the best options out there when looking for a zero-waste deodorant this summer.
The Natural Deodorant Co. offers three distinct ranges to suit different needs: Clean Deodorant Balm is the everyday choice; Gentle Deodorant Cream is for more sensitive skin; Active Deodorant Balm is fast-absorbing for on-the-go application. All of these natural deodorants come in glass jars with plastic-free packaging and are certified cruelty free and vegan.
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No Pong
Founded in Australia, this zero-waste deodorant company has since opened shop in Canada to better serve customers in North America while keeping its impact to a minimum.
No Pong offers three lines of natural deodorants: Original, Bicarb Free, and Vegan. Original and Bicarb Free both come in either the original citrus scent or a new Spicy Chai version. Neither is classified as vegan due to the use of beeswax, but No Pong released their fragrance-free Vegan line as an alternative.
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Bare Nature Compostable Deodorant
The container really takes center stage, with all the packaging on these deodorant sticks made completely compostable – including the label which is printed on Stone Paper.
Bare Nature offers three different zero-waste natural deodorants: Rosemary Sage, Lemongrass, and Tangerine. All of these deodorants, according to the company, last a minimum of 6 months and are made in small batches in Canada. They are vegan and cruelty-free, with no palm oils, making for a great choice of zero-waste deodorant this summer.
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Meow Meow Tweet Deodorant
Meow Meow Tweet makes a whole range of natural and zero-waste beauty products, including a number of different zero-waste deodorants. These include cardboard-cased solid deodorants (standard and baking-soda-free) and glass jars of deodorant cream.
Whichever you choose, you can be happy in the knowledge that all are great zero-waste options, palm-oil free, vegan, and made with natural organic ingredients. Their compostable deodorant tubes were supposedly the first on the market and can break down in just a year, whether at home or in a commercial compost facility.
How to Make Your Own Zero Waste Deodorants
If you can’t get your hands on any of the best zero-waste deodorants we’ve listed above, you might want to look into making your own. There are plenty of instructions out there, but to get you started, you can have a go at using this basic recipe:
Ingredients
4tbs cup baking soda
5tbs coconut oil
4tbs cup arrowroot starch
6 to 10 drops of essential oils (for fragrance)
Method
Mix the dry ingredients in a small bowl then slowly add the coconut oil, mashing it in with a fork if it is solid. Add the essential oils (if used), making sure not to make the scent too overpowering. Once well combined, transfer the mixture to a glass jar with a wide opening.
Your zero-waste natural deodorant is now ready to use! Simply take a pea-sized amount on your fingers and apply it to your armpits.
Feel free to experiment with different quantities, scents, and bases until you find one that suits you.
Making The Switch to Zero-Waste Natural Deodorants
If you’re making the switch to a natural deodorant this summer but are finding that it isn’t quite as effective as you’d like, it might be worth doing a detox. Specifically, check out the armpit detox powder from Sustain Yourself.
This vegan and cruelty-free formula is made to be mixed with apple cider vinegar to create an under-arm mask that draws out impurities so you can start making the most of your zero-waste deodorant. And don’t worry, this is just as packaging-conscious, coming in a glass jar with a 2-year shelf life!
Another thing to consider when making the switch is how you’ll get your new natural deodorant on — there are no wasteful plastic pushers or roller-balls in these products! If you don’t want to use your fingers, the simple solution is a natural deodorant zero-waste applicator. These allow you to scoop out deodorant creams and apply them without messing up your hands. The Grapefruit Lemon Deodorant Cream from Little Seed Farm comes with a free bamboo applicator to get you started!
Choosing The Best Zero-Waste Deodorants This Summer
Whether you’re running a marathon or hanging out in the house, there’s a natural zero-waste deodorant out there for you. You may need to experiment with a couple to find the right one, but once you do you can say goodbye to wasteful roller balls and plastic push-sticks and hello to a zero-waste future.
For more guides to zero waste shopping and discovering sustainable brands check out our blog and sign up to zerowaste.com.