As a woman, I love me some beauty products. Probably not as much as those woman who are PROS at makeup application or who receive those monthly subscription boxes, BUT I do have quite the collection (just ask my husband).
As I became more conscious of my environmental impact, especially in the bathroom, I began to think of ways you can recycle/reuse the items we use everyday. For example, when I finish a small tub of eye cream, I keep the jar. That jar will be PERFECT when I go traveling on an airplane. I also believe in utilizing products that may not work in their intended manner, to do something else worthwhile. Like — if I don’t like a certain conditioner or it didn’t work for my finicky hair, I use it as shaving cream instead. That one doesn’t sound too ingenious, but I’m just throwing it out there.
In Allure Magazine, the Good Issue 2018, there was an article about how to make important changes in your beauty routine that doesn’t require any real change – only being more thoughtful.
Face Wipes: Honestly, even if you found ones that are biodegradable, I highly recommend using microfiber cloths that just use water. This way, you’re not polluting (they sit in a landfill for over 100 years!) and it feels so much softer on your face. Personally, I recommend these cloths from Norwex.
These pretty much wipe off all traces of my makeup. Even though I use a face wash, you could essentially only use water to wash your face! However, if you DO decide to buy a face wipe just because it’s easier for you, look for one that is biodegradable.
Cardboard boxes, cotton balls, and cotton swabs with paper sticks (please don’t buy the plastic ones!): These items can be composted (find a local place that can do it for you OR use your own), but be sure that the items are preferably unbleached and without nail polish remover. Typically, it will take about three months to degrade.
Plastic pumps & caps: Unfortunately, and this one was a surprise for me as well, these are commonly not recyclable (it’s because they are often made with multiple resins, whatever that means?). I have always thrown these in the recycling bin, and now I’m wondering how many items have ended up in a landfill. 🙁 Try to look for a triangular arrow and number on your plastic tubs, tubes, and bottles to see if it is recyclable in your area – not all areas have the same rules/laws. For example, I live in Jacksonville, Florida and here are our recycling guidelines: https://www.coj.net/curbsiderecycling When reviewing that site, it led me to this site which has some super helpful tips: https://recyclingsimplified.com/
Glass bottles and metal cans: Make sure all items are completely empty and rinsed clean.
Bottles with stuck-on labels: Did you know that if a label is humidity proof and won’t come off the bottle, it will most likely not be recyclable? Yea, mind blown, I know. Be sure to remove and any all labels, and when possible – buy products that either don’t have one OR one that easily comes off.
Interesting product worth trying:
**Seed Phytonutrients – These products are made in recyclable and recycled material – it’s made out of paper, but can withstand being in the shower without breaking down! I would be interested to try this product, as I hate how much plastic waste in used with shampoos, conditioners, and body washes. However – I have seen a trend toward using bar soaps for your body and your hair!
**Ren Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Body Wash – the bottle is made of recycled plastic, 20% of which comes from plastic found in the ocean, AND they plan to have zero waste by 2021.
**Davine’s The Spotlight Circle – hair masks that come in recyclable pouches
It’s a small list, but it’s a start! Do you have any ideas on how someone can conserve better or how they can be more environmentally conscious with beauty products? Let me know, below!