It is Plastic-Free July, a month dedicated to encouraging individuals around the world to reduce their plastic consumption. There are plenty of ways to achieve this, particularly when it comes to reducing use in the kitchen and bathroom.
Key to doing so is thinking consciously about the ways in which you use plastic products – and encouraging others to do the same. According to a recent survey by All Things Hair, 75.25% of people believe they have the ability to make a difference with their plastic use. That’s positive – but it also means that one in every four people doesn’t believe they can make a difference. That’s why Plastic-Free July is also important as a means of raising awareness.
With bathroom plastic reduction specifically in mind today, here are a few ways that you can cut down on your plastic use during Plastic-Free July and beyond.
- Go solid
The widespread availability of shampoo and conditioner bars means there is no longer any excuse for buying liquid products in plastic bottles. Solid shampoo and conditioner bars clean hair beautifully, leaving it soft and shiny. They come in recyclable cardboard boxes and you can buy a tin to carry them in while travelling. They also smell amazing, so are great for refreshing the senses as well as cleaning your hair.
The same goes for replacing shower gel with soap and replacing plastic bottles or tubs of body lotion with body butter bars.
- Experiment with refillable products
There is a growing range of refillable products available, from shower gels, shampoos and conditioners to laundry detergents, washing up liquids and many other household cleaning products. If you’re not prepared to say goodbye to liquid products, refillables are an excellent alternative.
You can either find a local eco-conscious shop with a refill service or opt for a postal service where you send the bottles back for refilling. Obviously, staying local is the best way to minimize your carbon footprint. However, in the absence of a local shop with a refill service, it’s time to jump online and find yourself a decent postal refill service. Why not challenge yourself to start with your bathroom products and then expand to kitchen refills as well?
- Reduce your use
Another way to help the environment is to cut down on the number and amount of products that you consume. In the bathroom, there are various ways that you can do this.
Two in one shampoo and conditioning products are an easy quick win. You can cleanse and condition your hair while using half the volume of products compared to undertaking both activities individually. You’ll also save yourself a few minutes each time you have a shower, which will cut down your water usage too, making this double win.
It’s also worth thinking about your hair care routine in different ways here. For example, why not let your hair dry naturally and cut out the use of your usual heat protector spray? Or perhaps you could swap your usual voluminous look for a pretty updo, cutting out the use of your volumizing spray.
By reducing the number and volume of products that you use, you’ll be cutting down on the plastic that you use. Another win for the planet.
- Get creative in the kitchen
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try creating your own hair care products? Using natural, plastic-free ingredients, you can create some wonderfully nourishing and beautifully fragrant hair masks. Do a bit of research online to get you started and then enjoy mashing and mixing those ingredients.
This is a great option if you have young children, as they will love to get involved in making such products. And with all natural ingredients, they will be perfectly safe for children to use on their own hair at bath time too.
Central to all of this is becoming more conscious of the amount of plastic that you use – and encouraging others to do the same. As consumers, collective action can deliver impressive results. So, let retailers know through your actions that you are no longer prepared to use plastic products this Plastic-Free July.
