As you know, our family has been on a low-waste/plastic-free journey since December 2018. Me sharing the process and then starting the business has encouraged folks to ask questions about our journey and our swaps. Common questions I get typically come in the form of WHY — why are you making these swaps? Why is it so important to stop using certain self-care products?
I basically explain how it’s important for my family’s and Mother Nature’s health! Then I share some examples/statistics such as
- Numerous plastic toothbrushes are thrown away in one year AND they don’t go anywhere.
- Plastic-based products like cotton buds or daily skin cleansers (contain microbeads) infiltrate our waterways and impact marine animals/birds health and daily behaviors.
- Our government (United States) hasn’t really regulated cosmetic standards for over 80+ years which means companies can easily utilize toxic chemicals in health/beauty products.
Hmmm so WHY not make the switch?
Another aspect people tend to ask me deals with the transition process to sustainable self-care products. Specifically if I have any tips for someone new to the swap process. Here are my top 3 tips for switching to sustainable self-care products:
- Use what you have first – there is no need in letting products you already have go to waste.
- Focus on one main area at a time. It’s better to make joint swaps back to back rather than skipping around. For example, all of our dental care swaps sequentially.
- Research product options and the company to make sure aligns with your values. Don’t just make a swap to be doing it — research that the intended swap is best for you and that the company achieves your sustainable company standards.
Beginners to Swapping: Tell me what other sustainable swap aspects you want to learn?
Been making swaps for a bit: Tell me what tips would you say are beneficial?
References:
- Environmental Working Group 2018 article on cosmetic regulations
- National Geographic 2019 article on beauty industry plastic production
