4 Plastic-free Swaps That You Need To Make Right Now

Most of the commercial beauty products in the market are available in plastic containers. Whether it is make-up, cleansers, or lotions, it is only plastic that comes along with everything. Hence, it is very important to find the plastic-free swaps of the packaging we use. Even if one wishes to recycle these plastic containers, it is not possible because all of these tiny bottles and jars are not easily recyclable. Considering the plastic waste that piles up in landfills and goes all the way down to the ocean, we must solve this problem at the roots.

Also Read: 5 Ways To Make Your Room More Eco-Friendly

A solution is replacing plastic-packaged cosmetics with their zero-waste beauty alternatives. The beauty industry is a 500 billion dollar industry that is powered by plastics. Switching to zero-waste beauty products could significantly reduce the production of plastic and the generation of non-biodegradable waste. We can cut down the plastic waste that we produce by switching to the alternatives of the following products:

1. Shampoo and Conditioners: Though India manages to recycle around 60% of the plastic waste produced, the recycled plastic isn’t as good as the virgin plastic. Several brands are taking initiatives to recycle plastic waste, but not many people are familiar with it. Replacing shampoo and conditioner bottles with plastic-free shampoo bars is a solution capable of reducing plastic waste manifold. Shampoo bars are not only environment-friendly but also free of chemicals like SLS and Parabens, which liquid shampoos generally contain. 
2. Toothbrushes: When we wake up in the morning, the first thing that we do is brush our teeth. Plastic toothbrushes aren’t recyclable, as their small parts get stuck into the machinery and block it. Still, billions of plastic toothbrushes are disposed of every year, which either end up in landfills or the ocean. The plastic-free swaps to it is using toothbrushes made of bamboo or wheat straw. Bamboo toothbrushes have biodegradable handles, which significantly reduces the generation of non-recyclable plastic waste.
3. Face Wash Tubes: According to a study conducted by Toxics Link, a Delhi-based NGO, the cosmetics sold in India contain tiny beads of plastics or microplastics. The study showed that at least 50% of the face-wash samples and 67% of the facial scrubs contained microplastics. These beads, which could be as small as 1 mm, are drained down to rivers and are consumed by tiny fishes. It, in turn, could come back to us if we consume them. The solution to this problem is being aware of what we are buying at the time of purchase. Using organic products and switching to natural alternatives would not only be beneficial to the skin but also the environment.
4. Shower Gel: Nowadays, our bathroom cabinets could be found full of plastic containers, and shower gel is amongst one of them. The shower gel bottles which appeal due to its scent and fancy packaging accounts for the enormous amount of plastic waste produced. Using bar soaps made up of essential oils not only saves you from harmful chemicals but also produces less waste and is pocket-friendly.