Eight million tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans every year. Together, we can help to reduce plastic pollution by cutting down on everyday plastic use.
As we move into a new year, many of us are thinking of ways we can help the environment now and also protect it for future generations.
This can seem overwhelming at first and we can feel powerless in the face of inaction from big companies and governments. Many people don’t know where to start, but we can all make small simple changes in our homes to help.
Soap Bars
Cut down on single use plastic by switching from liquid soaps to traditional soap bars. Soaps can also be used in the shower, the perfect alternative to shower gels. Liquid shower gels are usually formulated with sulphates, ingredients that can dry and irritate your skin whereas soap bars are make with more natural and gentle ingredients.
Shampoo Bars
Using shampoo bars is better for the planet and better for your pocket too. Liquid shampoos are typically made with 80% water, whereas shampoo bars are much more concentrated and should last you a lot longer.
Some people find changing to shampoo bars a bit of a challenge, take a look at my top tips for making the switch here.
Conditioner Bars
While many people have given shampoo bars a go, solid conditioner bars are another great way to reduce your environmental impact and also get your hair in great condition. They also last a lot longer than liquid conditioners. Packed full of super concentrated natural ingredients, they leave your hair super soft and shiny and free from static.
Using these solid bars not only reduces the amount of plastic you use but also reduces your carbon footprint as they use far less energy to make. Often they are made by small business using traditional methods of soap making. This also means the ingredients are far more likely to be natural and in turn kinder to not only the environment but also to your skin.
Read more on other ways to reduce our plastic usage:
Photo credit: Ewan Lamble