9 Ways To Reduce Plastic In Your Beauty Routine

To reduce the plastic we use in beauty routine is not as difficult as it sounds. So why do we focus on food products when we talk about recycling?

The amount of plastic waste we are putting into the oceans is at a catastrophic level. Although governments and large businesses are being asked to radically change, there are also some small changes we can all make. If more of us made these changes, the impact could be significant.

One area of our lives where plastic can be found in high-quantities is our beauty routines. From shampoo bottles to plastic razors and toothbrushes, there are many plastic elements to our beauty routine which cause plastic waste.

Here we discuss 9 ways to easily reduce plastic in your beauty routine.

1. Use recycled packaging

An easy switch to make is by choosing products packaged using recycled materials. Also, choose items that can be reused such as glass products. Buy reusable bottles and instead of buying plastic bottles, more and more people are offering refills.

2. Buy supersized Items

If the items you use are not available in recycled packaging, then buy the larger version. Not only will it work out cheaper for you in the long run, less plastic will be used. Larger bottles of shampoo are less convenient. However, they can be decanted into travel-sized reusable bottles for everyday use.

3. Stop using disposable razors

Invest in a safety razor instead. They look nicer, will last longer and are extremely effective.

4. Switch to a bamboo toothbrush

Unlike their plastic alternatives, bamboo toothbrushes will decompose in only 6 months. This makes them much more environmentally friendly than plastic disposable toothbrushes or electric toothbrush heads.

5. Buy items with no packaging at all

Avoid packaging altogether. Opt for items such as soap boars and solid shampoo bars which do not come in any plastic packaging. Shops such as Lush are offering customers a large range of “Naked” products. These green alternatives help cut back on plastic waste, making it easier for you to reduce plastic in your beauty routine.

6. Use recycling initiatives whereas possible

Some retailers are trialling recycling initiatives. Boots, among other retailers, are trialling a reverse vending machine. Customers are rewarded for bringing back their empty containers. If you have a scheme like this near you, make the most of it!

7. Avoid wipes and other single-use items

Standard makeup wipes, baby wipes and cotton pads are extremely convenient. However, they are not biodegradable so they end up adding to landfill waste. In addition to that, they can take up to a century to decompose. As these items are single-use, they are contributing to a significant amount of waste which will never biodegrade naturally. An alternative is to use a facecloth or buy reusable cotton pads which are machine-washable. Sheet masks should also be avoided as well. Konjac is a great alternative to cotton as it is made of natural materials and is eco-friendly.

8. Choose eco-friendly glitter

Many people incorporate glitter into their beauty routine. This is especially true at festival-goers. It is now possible to buy biodegradable glitter. This means that glitter is not something you need to completely remove from your beauty regime.

9. Recycle

Biochemist Brianne West, the founder of zero waste beauty brand, Ethique, said that “Every year, over 80-billion plastic bottles are disposed of from just shampoo and conditioner alone.” In addition to these, some plastics can take up to 500-years to naturally decompose. Taking these horrific statistics into consideration, being able to reduce our individual plastic waste is a great step in the right direction.
Although adopting a zero-waste strategy may not be possible yet, options are increasingly available to us to reduce plastic in our beauty routines. All we need to do is make some small changes to make a big impact.

To find out more about how we can help you with your waste disposal and recycling needs, please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.