Plastic is everywhere, and most of it cannot be recycled. According to the World Wildlife Fund, more than 150 million plastic tons are produced yearly. That’s enough plastic to wrap around the Earth twice.
We have to take action now before our planet ends up buried under a layer of plastic waste.
As consumers become more conscious about the impact their choices have on the environment and their personal health, companies are beginning to see that consumers want natural and sustainable alternatives to unnecessary plastics in their products.
Why We Need To STOP Using Plastic?
We use plastic for everything from packaging to water bottles, and everyday essentials like; liquid soaps, but at what cost?
Plastic is harmful to our environment. It won't decompose for up to 1,000 years and will never fully break down. This means that the plastic we’ve used for decades still exists in some shape or form on our planet.
And the issue is not only limited to how we dispose of it; plastic is slowly making its way into our water supply and harming animals. Along with the environmental costs of using plastic, there are also health risks associated with it.
BPA, one of the most common chemicals found in plastics, has been linked to various health issues like hormone disruption and reproductive problems. Because these health risks exist, we have to rethink how we interact with plastics if we want to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
3 Reasons to Stop Using Plastic and Support Businesses That Offer Plastic-Free Products
1. Reduce your plastic waste
The average American throws away approximately 185 pounds of plastics every year. If you are interested in reducing your contribution to the ever-growing pile of plastic waste, switching to natural products that are packaged in reusable glass is an easy and effective way to do it.
2. Safer for the environment
Some manufacturing companies try to recycle plastic, but it’s not always possible because recycling requires high temperatures that may melt the materials. When this happens, small particles end up in our oceans and landfills where they can be eaten by animals or absorbed into our drinking water supplies. The best way to avoid this problem is to stop using plastics altogether.
3. Natural products have benefits too!
Another major benefit of switching from plastic products to natural ones like handmade soaps is being able to enjoy the other benefits that come with natural ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, lavender, and more. These products are also beneficial for those who suffer from allergies or sensitive skin because they are made without harmful chemicals.
How to Go (Slowly) from Plastic to Environmental Friendly Products
In the past, using plastic was the norm. We needed it to package things in order to keep them clean and sanitary.
But now, the problem is that we’re starting to get too much of it—and more than we can even use. The solution is to live a little greener by going plastic-free as much as possible.
This doesn’t mean you have to go completely without plastics entirely (although you could). You just have to reduce your dependency on them and find other ways of packaging and storing your products for personal use or for your business.
So, how do you stop using plastic?
- Find a different way to package your items
- Try out some new methods of cleaning like baking soda, vinegar, or essential oils
- Buy bulk items from grocery stores instead of individually wrapped items
- Keep reusable bags in your car at all times
- Ask yourself when shopping for goods; can I "Recycle, Refill, Reuse" the packaging of this product?
2 Handmade Products You Can Use Instead of Shampoo and Conditioner
In order to stop using plastic, you can get shampoo and conditioner made without plastic at Sanbe Beauty. We have a shampoo bar that you can use to wash your hair. It cuts out the need for plastic bottles which never really break down in landfills.
Another option to stop using plastic is to make your own shampoo and conditioner.
The process is pretty simple - you must combine natural ingredients, like water, coconut oil, vitamin E oil, castile soap, and essential oils, into a container.
Then store them in the shower and use them just like traditional shampoo and conditioner. This method not only saves money but also cuts out any unnecessary plastics from your daily routine!
3 Natural Replacements for Your Face Cleansing
After a long day, we recommend removing impurities like pollution, oils, and germs from your face. Handmade soaps are 100% plastic-free and are a great alternative to synthetic cleaners that are packaged in plastic bottles.
Or you can opt for a more gentle option if your skin is too sensitive for soap, by using our sensitive Face Foaming Wash which comes in a glass bottle.
For those of you who love makeup, and use hundreds of single-use makeup remover pads we got you covered. Start with a reusable 10Pack of Sanbe's Organic Bamboo & Cotton Makeup Remover Pads. They are not only as soft as clouds but can also be used up to 500 times and are completely compostable after.
Conclusion
Do you want your life to be easier and healthier? Start by implementing small but good habits like taking your own shopping bags to the store, refilling your pantry jars directly at the store, or simply opting for glass packaging when shopping for everyday essentials, and you will see how easy it is to stop using plastic.
If you're looking for more natural replacements for plastic products, Betty (Founder of Sanbe Beauty) has also compiled a list of two alternatives for shampoo and conditioner, as well as three natural replacements for your face cleansing that will help you to stop using plastic.