So much of our plastic waste is from the containers of our beauty/ health products. Think about it. How often do you buy new shampoo/ conditioner? Lotion? Toothpaste? Yes these are not things you buy everyday, but you do buy them often. Katherine of Martinko of Tree Huggers blog states “The problem is that packaging is not nearly as glamorous as the product itself, and a customer’s desire for the product will often outweigh concerns about packaging”. Don’t worry though! There are tons of alternatives that are not wrapped in plastic! Let’s look into some companies which are going plastic free.
Lush Cosmetics
Lush stores have been popping up all around the country! I personally love walking in and trying out their products (yes, you can ask to test their products there). When you first open their site they even bring you to a page to discuss going plastic free. Lush is a vegan cruelty free company specializing in a range of beauty products including tooth tabs, shampoo/ condition, body wash, bath bombs and much more. Recently, Lush’s shampoo bars have been increasing in popularity. These bars have no plastic wrap and can be stored in a metal tin. Any plastic they do use is made of recycled plastics. You can also bring back 5 empty plastic jars to be recycled and reused, and you will get a free face mask!
Farm to Girl
All of their products come in recyclable glass jars with a metal lid and are made with non-synthetic nor harmful chemicals. The company also donates 20% of its products to women’s health and education programs. This company has a range of lotions and lip balms. Farm to Girl suggests “because everyone’s skin is unique, we suggest experimenting with a few lotions.” Check out the product chart to find your ideal products.
Burts Bees
Burt’s Bees is great in that it is easily accessible, as you can find these products in most general stores. Burt’s Bees uses natural or naturally- derived products. While these products are not fully plastic free, some are. Their lip balm tins for example are plastic free. Most other products may not be, but they are currently working on changing this and “have trimmed excess packaging from many of our products – some as much as 50%.” I always say that solving the issue of plastic pollution comes in small steps, and Burt’s Bees is just one example of how this occurs!
Elate Clean Cosmetics
Elate Clean Cosmetics does not use an plastic in their packaging. Instead, they mostly use bamboo for their products. They focus on cruelty free natural make-up. Bright Body Blog says “all of their pressed powders come in seed paper that you can plant in your garden to grow wildflowers or herbs. The pressed powder tins are magnetized to fit perfectly in their bamboo compacts and palettes.” I don’t know about you guys, but I love herbs and I think this is super cool!
Want to find out more on plastic packaging alternatives? Check out Tree Hugger’s blog for daily beauty products! Going Zero Waste also has great links for plastic free makeup!
