Starbucks recently announced that they were eliminating straws in an effort to make a dent in the plastic pollution crisis, and they would be replacing them with a new style lid.
While this sounds great, the company received lots of backlash after the announcement, and for lots of different reasons. During the backlash, we've learned that straws make up less than 1% of plastic pollution.
Every little bit counts, but is this really the greatest way that companies and consumers can help the planet?
How about we look to companies that are already trying to better the planet? Like Lush. Lush is fighting animal testing, 100% vegetarian, handmade, and includes naked packaging.
Package-less products include bath bombs, bath oils, soap, shampoo, conditioner, exfoliate, and shower bars. There are probably other products I've forgotten because Lush has made such an effort to provide products that are good for you and the planet.
Let's say you're ready to embrace naked packaging but still would like some way to store these products besides your bathroom counter. You can! They sell various metal containers for you to store without using unrecyclable materials.
Even products that come in their classic black containers are recyclable. Customers are encouraged to bring the empty containers back so they can be recycled properly.
Other body care companies have jumped on the bath bomb train that originated with Lush. But why stop there? Why only make a version of a Lush product? Adopt Lush's naked and recyclable packaging.
Bath bombs don't need to be vacuumed wrapped in plastic with a sticker label. Whatever ingredients should be able to stay together or, obviously, it's not a bath bomb customers should be using.
Starbucks tried to start with a small initiative to help the planet. While it didn't receive the praise they were hoping for, it's a start. Hopefully, they'll decide to help the planet in bigger and better ways. Hopefully, companies outside of Lush, body care or not, can start to see the damage of plastic pollution.
Every little bit counts, from going strawless to naked packaging. I'm just hoping other companies can find a way to eliminate plastic pollution.
