In our modern society, living a sustainable lifestyle is becoming increasingly important. As part of this trend, many people are looking for ways to reduce the amount of waste they create in their beauty routine.
From reusing makeup applicators to opting for zero-waste beauty products, there are numerous things you can do to minimize the environmental impact of your personal care habits. Keep reading to learn some easy and effective tips that can help you reduce waste in your beauty routine.
How Big Is the Plastic Problem in the Beauty Industry?
The beauty industry, while providing the world with amazing products to enhance our appearances, is also contributing significantly to pollution. Plastic containers used to store skincare items are produced in the billions globally each year.
For example, lip balm brands in the U.S. sold 200 million units in 2019, and over 1 billion plastic toothbrushes were discarded in North America that same year. The most concerning fact of all is that since 1950, a whopping 9 billion tons of plastic have been created worldwide and will take hundreds of years to break down.
This immense amount of plastic waste from the beauty industry not only pollutes our environment but puts countless species at risk as well.
What’s the Harm From All This Plastic Waste?
With each passing day, more and more plastic is entering our lakes and oceans thanks to careless disposal. This plastic takes centuries to break down, instead breaking into smaller, microscopic pieces called microplastics that are incredibly difficult to remove from the environment.
This growing presence of microplastics is having a devastating effect on marine life, as well as putting humans at risk of poisoning and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Most of this plastic comes from consumer products like cosmetics containers and skincare packaging which often fail to be recycled.
As this environmental crisis continues to worsen, we must do our part to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics if we want any chance at preserving our planet for generations to come.
Buy Only What You’ll ACTUALLY Use
When it comes to managing your beauty routine, a smart approach is key. Simply put, buy what you know and love! This helps to reduce purchasing unnecessary items that may not be suited for your skin type or simply don't work as expected.
It's beneficial to wait until you're almost out of a product before replacing it, as this has been shown to cause the biggest difference when working towards reducing waste and clutter.
Not only does this help the environment through less production of materials and packaging, but it also reduces your spending in the long run by ensuring that you aren't needlessly buying products that won't work for you.
Recycle the Right Way
Despite the fact that more than one-third of those in North America are conscientious about recycling, most plastic materials never end up in a recycling plant. In fact, up to 91% of all plastic waste and microplastics end up in landfills or clogging natural waterways. A major issue is that people often throw non-recyclables into their bins, such as caps and pumps.
If we want to make progress in reducing our reliance on single-use plastics and lowering our overall environmental impact, we must make sure to properly educate people about the importance of sorting and recycling correctly.
Make Sustainable Swaps for Daily-Use Disposables
With a few simple swaps, it's possible to start living more sustainably. Bamboo toothbrushes are an ideal replacement for traditional plastic toothbrushes, as they’re biodegradable and made from a renewable resource.
Reusable cloth makeup remover pads are a great way to replace disposable cotton rounds, which add up over time. Finally, safety razors are the perfect alternative to disposable plastic razors - not only do they produce less waste because the blades can be reused, but they also give you a closer shave than most disposables.
Choose Refillable Beauty Products
Refillable beauty bottles are a great way for consumers to help reduce the amount of plastic waste that is created from using beauty products. In addition to helping with reducing plastic waste, refillable beauty bottles also save money by being cheaper than the initial complete bottle.
The refill options can be much more cost-effective and can be reused multiple times so you don’t have to keep buying new bottles over and over again. This type of packaging is much more sustainable than traditional packaging which usually ends up in landfills or the ocean. Refillable bottles also require less energy and resources to create, meaning that they have a smaller environmental footprint as well.
By investing in refillable products, consumers can help protect the environment while also saving money in the long run.
Incorporating Sustainable Products Into Your Beauty Routine
Incorporating sustainable beauty products into your routine can have a lasting, positive impact on the environment. By making the switch to more eco-friendly products, you can help reduce plastic waste, support green businesses and protect natural resources.
Sustainable beauty products are often made with fewer harsh chemicals and ingredients than traditional beauty products, meaning they’re healthier for both your skin and hair. Plus, many sustainable beauty companies offer quality products at competitive prices, so there’s no need to break the bank in order to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.
Ultimately, adopting a greener beauty routine will not only benefit the planet but also give you peace of mind knowing that you're doing something positive for the environment.
