A lot of people would be surprised by how much waste is created by humans each day. Millions of tons of plastic end up in landfills, oceans, and other harmful places. This is creating pollution, impacting wildlife, and filling our beautiful land with non-reusable waste.

There are so many small contributions that can be made daily that create huge impacts on the planet. Zero waste beauty products are being created daily to help reduce or slow down the rising waste levels. Most people don’t realize how much waste is created daily by makeup, hair products, and other beauty products as well.

Some of the easiest ways to make beauty more Earth-friendly is to incorporate biodegradable packaging, compostable components, and more recycling opportunities during creation. It helps a lot to know what to look for when it comes to being more eco-friendly and Earth-conscious.

What Does Zero Waste Mean?

It seems pretty self-explanatory, but zero waste means absolutely no waste or garbage at all. It means that the product itself, the packaging it came in, and everything about it is completely waste-free. Nothing is being thrown in the trash or being thrown in a dump, it’s rather being recycled, reused, or composted. You may think this is extremely difficult or nearly impossible, but it’s not! Small actions and small steps can make a whole world of difference when it comes to opting out of single-use plastics, recycling more, and overall being conscious of what you purchase.

By choosing more eco-friendly options, it reduces the amount of trash that collects over the years, overall making a better and healthier planet for us to live on. If every person does their part to contribute, it can make a huge difference and create a more sustainable way of living.

How to Incorporate a Zero Waste Lifestyle

Realizing that the world is filled with MILLIONS OF TONS of plastic and other types of waste that just piles up each year is reason enough to switch up some of your daily personal care products. What most people don’t notice is that a ton of our typical day-to-day products can be super wasteful, and there are actually a ton of alternatives that could be used instead.

Some things you may not think of are using solid shampoo, conditioner, and soap bars instead of using three different plastic bottles for those three different steps. Another way to contribute is to use toothpaste tablets instead of using tubes that will end up in the trash in no time, and almost once each month. One very small step that anyone could take would be to purchase beauty products in glass bottles or containers that can be reused by you or someone else.

Although there are small changes that you can make, there is still a long way to go when it comes to the beauty industry as a whole and becoming waste-free. Every day, tons and tons of plastic is being wasted and piled up in landfills just as a result of beauty waste alone. As time goes on, the importance of reducing waste becomes more prevalent. So eventually, (hopefully) more brands will catch on and brainstorm ways to become plastic-free or completely waste-free when it comes to product packaging and processing.

The Complete List of Waste-Free Beauty Alternatives

Now after knowing that the products you probably use are potentially harming the planet, it’s time to switch some things up. You may be wondering what you can do today to start a greener routine. Well, for starters, just having the knowledge and recognizing the issue at hand is a great start. Now, slowly swap out wasteful products with more eco-friendly ones. Here are some great alternatives and ways to start helping out now:

Incorporate shampoo and conditioner bars when it comes to hair care.
Use re-washable cloth pads and makeup remover instead of makeup wipes.
Purchase lotions and balms that are kept in recyclable containers, like glass bottles or tin containers.
Try to use more vegan formulas. Most mainstream formulas have harsh and harmful ingredients that can be damaging to your skin and vegan formulas are more sustainable as well.
Use ethically sourced bamboo makeup brushes instead of all plastic brushes and bristles.

These are all amazing (and EASY) ways to do your part when it comes to bettering the planet. Don’t feel like you have to throw out all your existing products- that would be a bit counterproductive as it would then pile up in the trash. Instead, try to incorporate one of these today and feel good knowing that you made an impact. All it takes is one simple step to start a more sustainable beauty routine.

Makeup Products You Didn’t Know Were Harming the Planet

So many beauty brands that you see and recognize daily are not doing wonders for this Earth. They use plastic containers and packaging that will end up in a landfill somewhere. This also goes for the aluminum, different plastic materials, rubber, and other wastes that come from single-use products.

For one example, you’re supposed to swap out your toothbrush every so often, which is plastic going directly in the trash each time. The same goes for disposable razors, makeup brushes and sponges, empty shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bottles.

Here’s a shortlist of products used daily that will most likely end up in a landfill:

Mascara tube and wand
Foundation bottle or tube
Makeup wipes
Plastic packaging on eyeshadow pallets
Powder container
Concealer tube

The list goes on and on, with the conclusion being that MOST beauty products being sold nowadays are actually super wasteful. There is a huge issue with the way things are being manufactured, shipped, and thrown out after a single-use.

Are Eco-Friendly Products Worth the Price?

It seems that most people’s main complaint is that some eco-friendly products can be priced a bit higher than other mainstream makeup brands. The reason for this is that most products are typically cruelty free, organic, vegan, locally sourced, and made with natural ingredients as well. This alone makes the product have more value, as it’s safer and better for your skin, body, and the environment. Aside from this, the packaging that comes with zero-waste free beauty is either reusable or recyclable, which means it’s able to provide more uses than single-use plastic does. Small glass jars are great for reuse for creams, serums, and moisturizers. There are also a ton of biodegradable packaging options that are used for lip balms, perfumes, skincare products, and more.

The short answer is yes, eco-friendly products are almost always worth the higher price tag since they provide a lot more value to the customer and to the planet! It’s a win-win situation.

What Can You Do to Help Today?

After learning and coming to the realization that these products that are being used daily are so harmful, you should be asking yourself what you can do to help this situation today.

For starters, make a mental note of which beauty products you can swap out from your previous routine. Search your nearest local small business and stop by their eco-friendly beauty section to see what they offer. Another option is to support small businesses online, like Northern Nail Polish and Northern Apothecary.

No matter how big or small the action may be, any action that goes towards making the Earth a more sustainable place to live is an amazing step in the right direction. It may seem like a huge feat, but if the world comes together to try and decrease pollution and waste, it could really make a large impact.

Something you can do today is inform your family of the ecological dangers of single-use plastics and wasteful everyday products. Having the discussion with at least one person informs them as well, making it an open possibility for you both to make a change.

Top Zero-Waste Beauty Products

If you want great quality products that leave absolutely zero waste throughout the process, then I highly suggest you try out some of these products!

Makeup Sticks- Zero Waste, Organic, Vegan

These makeup sticks are created with eco-friendly paper tubes and biodegradable labels, making them non-toxic, and completely zero waste! This is an easy item to swap in for some of your daily products that create an abundance of plastic waste.

All Natural Solid Shampoo and Conditioner Bars

One of the easiest ways to start the transition into using only eco-friendly products is by using bar soaps instead of wasting 2-3 plastic bottles each time you purchase soap. Not only is this soap better for you and the environment but they are also easier to store and travel with as well. No more lugging around large shampoo bottles every time you travel.

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