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Making the best use of our natural resources is essential to making a better future, and continuing to provide high-quality hygiene and beauty products is a must.
Historically this industry has been pointed at for it’s negative environmental and animal welfare impacts, but it doesn’t need to be that way. We can all use less environmentally impactful products which will wisely allow for us to stay in balance with our planet.
By far the biggest impact from these products is the plastic pollution associated with the containers used for their packaging. There are then several chemicals used in these products which are bad for the environment and can also negatively impact human health.
Here you will learn the true environmental impact of hygiene and health and will be provided with plenty of alternatives!
Soaps, shampoos and conditioners
With just 9% of the plastic, we’re putting into recycling bins being used within another plastic product, we do need to rethink what we buy! We’ve been buying plastic bottles of soaps, shampoos and related products like it’s been going out of fashion, with some products using one bottle for only ten or so washes. With just 9% of the plastic, we’re putting into recycling bins ending up as another plastic product, we do need to rethink!
You’ll often also find palm oil in these products. This comes from the Oil Palm plant which is best cultivated in monocultures where only one crop is grown on land previously high in natural resources and with a diversity of life. A prime example where this has occurred is where plantations have replaced rainforest.
These products can be created without plastic. They can come in bar form and be made from many different plants that are grown here in the UK. Products just do not need mass shipping or overbranding. Alternatives do exist, and our community has tonnes of suggestions on what they are and where to find them!
Deodorants, shaving foams and gels
Deodorant and shaving cream containers are near impossible to recycle as they’re made from multiple plastics. They are often found in the form of metal or plastic packaging containing enough product to last one month. Deodorants can also contain aluminium particles, triclosan and parabens, all to block sweat. These are impactful on the environment and have been linked to health issues for the user.
Alternatives available include to use soap deodorants and shaving soap. These last much longer and hardly need any packaging. Shaving soap can last for a year, saving you money and leaving you with an excellent reusable jar.
Toothcare
Toothbrushes, dental floss and toothpaste all come under this group of products we all use on a twice-daily basis. It’s difficult to shift from the traditional ways of caring for our teeth, but even some of the biggest brands are considering how they can use biodegradable materials.
There are alternatives, examples including toothpaste packaged in a metal tin and toothbrushes made from bamboo. Each decision on what to buy can save waste and hopefully set a trend to lift the standards of sustainable alternatives on the market.
Beauty products
Many beauty products come with unnecessary waste and use harmful chemicals in their manufacture. Take for instance makeup removal pads or baby wipes. These are normally made from synthetic material which is non-recyclable and is likely to end up in the ocean.
There are so many reusable alternatives now available and there are also makeups based on natural ingredients on the market.
Household cleaning
Products such as bleach and kitchen or bathroom cleaners are bought by the average household on a fortnightly basis. The plastic waste from this is mounting. Something needs to be done. There are companies out there offering plastic-free alternatives and there exist depots out there for filling up old containers. It’s worth checking these out and seeing what’s available!