Wasteaccumulates rapidly in most households' bathroom trash bins, be it used cotton swabs, empty shower gel containers, orempty cosmetics packaging. However, there are other ways to empty ourreception boxes; here are the five essentials for a clutter-free beauty regime.
The Oriculi
Targeted oncotton stalks. Our government declared war on them, making them undesirable in our showers. To reduce marine plastic pollution, thebiodiversity law voted in 2016 includes a provision making their commercializationillegal from January 1, 2020.
They should become rarer until they disappear entirely from the landscape, even if they are still visible in supermarket car parks while manufacturers exhaust their remaining stock. Moreover,ENT advises against using cotton swabs for ear health as they contribute to ocean plastic contamination. Thus, we can consider olive oil as a potential substitute.
Whether wooden or metal, this Japaneseear pick allows for equally effectivecleaning while offering the advantage of beingwashable,reusable, and thus requiring no waste disposal. If you want to avoid damaging youreardrum, you must not push it too far into your ear canal (as you would not with an ordinary cotton swab).
Solid Soap
It is no longer shown as it is aclassic.Solid soap, which comes in various forms including shampoo, shower gel and facial cleanser (and sometimes all three), has invaded our bathrooms, replacing plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles which, besides being bulky, can containallergens and othersubstances potentiallyharmful. The final products of thesaponification process, solid soaps, require no otherpackaging.
Attention must be paid during selection, and why not try thehomemade experience.
Machine-Washable Cotton Towels
Use it to remove makeup, wash yourface and remove your nail polish. As quickly as they became a bathroom staple,cotton squares are just another thing to pile in our baskets. Yet, they are easilyreplaceable; just switch to machine-washable cotton swabs.
You can buy them ready-made, but they are also simple to make from fabric scraps. It is useful to have astock so you never run out (though this may vary depending onthefrequency with which you use them), and once they are soiled, they can be rinsed with water, hand washed or slipped into the laundry machine in a protective mesh for thedelicate cycle. Just to be clear.
Also read: methods for better time management
Using Solid Deodorant
Theingredients in deodorants such asparabens andaluminum salts have been debated for years, whether applied via spray or roll-on. The issue of often plastic packaging for these items must also be considered.Solid deodorants made from entirely natural ingredients are an option to overcome this.
Solid deodorants have the added advantage of being more durable than industrial counterparts, plus being completely waste-free as they need no packaging.
Homemade Scrubs
The use ofexfoliating products and other abrasives has been linked to various negative outcomes. These cosmetics contain microplastics deliberately added during processing to make the product more "exfoliating," despite alegal provision calling for a gradual ban on such practices. Thesemicroscopic organisms escape our pipes and eventually end up in the ocean.
However, there is no need for plastic in aquality exfoliant. Sometimes, the money we have in the bank will not even suffice. Nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of making your own scrub: anolive oil blend andcoffee bean extract?
Sugar and honey? There are many easy recipes available online, so there is always something to do at home.
In Addition: Reusable Hygiene Products
Menstrual protectors generate a huge amount of waste due to the use ofdisposable items such aspaper towels, plastic-wrapped tampons,chemical fragrances and other dubious materials. In recent years, more and more women have sought to switch to reusable protection, leading to a proliferation of options. Cups, disposable towels andmenstrual underwear are examples of often forgotten items.
Although these security forms involve aninvestment upfront, especially for the latter two, their sunk costs are amortized over their useful life. Themonthly cost of a traditional pack of paper towels suggests these investments will be recouped over time. Then, it is up to each person to decide what approach suits them best.
