So, we're all in agreeance that the planet is not looking it's best, right? If not, I don't really know what to tell you. Read more. Find an Odyssey article on it! Best of luck.
For the rest of you, it's one thing to acknowledge that the planet is in rough shape, but it's another to start implementing real changes in your own life to lessen your impact and leave this place better than you found it. One simple way to start is to take a look at your daily cosmetic routine. We create way more waste than we realize, and when it's happening on a daily basis, it really starts to add up.
Here are 6 simple switches that we can make in our morning (or night) routines that greatly reduce the amount of plastic we're allowing to enter our landfills and our bodies of water. Sustainability has never looked so good.
1. Bamboo toothbrush
Bamboo toothbrushes are super sustainable options because unlike their plastic alternative, they are 100 percent biodegradable. They're also kinda cool looking and can be bought in bulk for really cheap. These are some really good options from Amazon.
2. Menstrual cups
Did you know that people who menstruate create about 300 pounds of waste in their lifetime from menstrual products alone? It's not that surprising when you think about how many pads and tampons we go through during a typical cycle. Menstrual cups are reusable, last for up to 10 years, and are a lot safer as they can be worn for extended amounts of time with absolutely no risk of toxic shock syndrome. Browse them here.
3. Safety razor
As summer approaches, some of us go through a lot of those plastic razors. All of it goes into our landfills and our bodies of water. Instead, safety razors create zero waste and only require new blades as the old one dulls. A lot of people also say that they deliver a closer shave than the plastic ones. Get started with some of these low-cost options.
4. Tubeless toothpaste
Traditional tubes of toothpaste create a lot of waste once the tube is empty and we toss it in the trash. Toothpaste that comes in either powder forms or tabs is a lot more sustainable because the jars and containers can be reused to hold various objects (I use my old ones to hold my earrings) or even for travel-size liquid containers. Pick from some of my favorite options here.
5. Shampoos in jars
This one goes in the same vein as the toothpaste. Buying shampoo in a jar that you can reuse for storage (or in some cases, bring back to the store for a free face mask) is much better for the environment. You can get something like this as well as shampoo in bars here.
6. Recycled makeup
Did you know they can make makeup from recycled tin cans? Sounds crazy, but don't knock it til you try it. At the very least, there are a lot of brands that sell their makeup in zero-waste packaging. There's nothing more beautiful than leaving the planet a better place than how we found it. Start here.
