It is important that we look after our planet, as this is where the future generation will live, and we want it to be as great for them as it is for us.
An inspiring, but realistic message from Sir David Attenborough on the topic “The question is, are we going to be in time, and are we going to do enough? And the answer to both of those is no,” he says. “We won’t be able to do enough to mend everything. But we can make it a darn sight better than it would be if we didn’t do anything at all.”
Lifestyle
Recycle
Cans, Bottles, and Paper waste. By doing this these can be transformed into materials to create new products for us to use. Make the most of the resources you have – if you have a piece of paper, use both sides and if you have only partially used it, keep it for jotting down notes. Newspaper can also be used as an effective alternative for wrapping paper, with some ribbon it will create a trendy vintage look. For more ideas on how to up-cycle your old products, look to Pinterest for endless inspiration.
Help Save Energy
Turn off the lights when you leave the room and all plugs that are not being used. Also, don’t leave the refrigerator door open. Get what you need as quickly as possible.
Use Re-Useable Products.
When you go for your morning coffee instead of using a one-use cup, buy yourself a reusable one. Many coffee shops have offers for those who do this, so you could also save money by doing this. The same goes for drinking water, invest in an aesthetically pleasing water bottle to encourage you to swap from a one-use plastic bottle.
Help Save Water
Don’t leave the water running while you brush your teeth – this can save 6 litres of water per minute. You could also save around 6 gallons of water a year, by cutting down your shower time by 3 minutes.
Saving water doesn’t stop in the bathroom when you boil water for cooking, only boil what you need. By doing this you are not only saving water, but you are also saving money and energy. Also, save up dirty clothes and put one big wash on, rather than smaller and more frequent ones.
Keep Your Neighbourhood Clean
If you see trash on the ground, toss it in a trash can.
Help Keep the Air Clean
Ride your bike or walk on the commute, if it is possible for you to do so.
Beauty
Upcycle Your Empty Products
When your favourite candle has run out, use the glass as a make-up brush or pen holder. Often candle jars are as visually pleasing as they are to smell. The same applies to perfume bottles, once your favourite fragrance is empty, use the bottle as a single stem flower vase.
Convert To Clean Beauty
If you are looking to make eco-friendly choices, convert your make-up and skincare to a brand that uses nontoxic ingredients. I have converted all my products to BeautyCounter, who are a skincare and cosmetics brand which provide safer beauty. They do this by meticulously screening their ingredients, already over 1,500 questionable ingredients are never used in their formulas.
Swap Wipes For A Cleanser
Avoid using wipes unless necessary. For me, I only use them on the plane when I travel. Apart from then, I choose to use a cleanser to remove my makeup. This is because facial wipes litter areas (especially our beaches) and can clog drains.
Avoid Aerosols
Every time you spritz an aerosol, you raise your carbon footprint because they contain hydrocarbon and compressed gasses. CFC-free aerosols emit gases that contribute to ground-level ozone levels. BeautyCounter has helped me to stop using aerosols, they offer the same result but instead of using an aerosol their mists are air powered. An example of a popular product, which would commonly be an aerosol is a sunscreen mist. However, BeautyCounter has come up with a great alternative which is the Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist.
Covert to Oxybenzone-Free Sunscreen
Oxybenzone is an active ingredient in many sunscreens. So, it was shocking to discover following a 2015 study from the University of Central Florida, that oxybenzone may be killing coral reefs around the world. The damage is most evident in tourist areas such as the Caribbean and Hawaii. Also, Oxybenzone damages the DNA of the animals and plants that live in the coral reefs, this stunts their growth. I was pleased to discover that BeautyCounter’s Sunscreen does not contain this ingredient. It is instead formulated with non-nano zinc and California Poppy and is even marked as ‘reef-friendly’. The sunscreen is available in a lotion, stick and mist.
Keep Away From Synthetic Fragrances
These fragrances hold a high risk of causing skin irritation, but did you know that they’re also harmful to the marine environment? Because wastewater treatment plants cannot remove them, so they end up in our lakes, rivers and even the ocean. According to a study by the National Geographic, these fragrances can decrease an organism’s natural ability to protect itself from toxins. Therefore, these synthetic fragrances make the effects of water pollution even more damaging to marine life.
Use Reusable Tools
Remember that the cotton wool and pads used in your beauty routine are often not recyclable, or flushable (they could cause blockages). Try alternatives – such as cleansing with face flannels or washcloths.
Buy The Full-Size Product
Travel size products can be cute and handy, but by shopping the biggest size available you will be cutting down on the amount of plastic. Because one large container contains less plastic than several smaller containers. Many environmentally friendly brands also offer refills of their products. Simply bring your original container back to the store to refill.
It is reassuring to know that brands are also taking the planet into consideration. BeautyCounter has released this statement to help us recycle with ease ‘We’ve partnered with How2Recycle, a labelling system that clearly communicates disposal instructions, so you no longer have to play the guessing game every time you finish a product’. They are working towards innovative sustainable packaging. So, their products can be recycled more easily—and after their first use.
I hope at least one of these plant saving hacks will become part of your routine, to help make our planet a better place!