Looking good need not cost the earth!
Find out how beauty products take their toll on the environment.
Looking good need not cost the earth!
Beauty products take their toll on the environment in a number of different ways.
Cosmetic packaging often contains plastic and can take hundreds of years to break down in landfill. Toxic chemicals in cosmetics washed down drains end up in oceans, damaging the eco system, killing sea animals and causing genetic mutations.
Shampoos, conditioners, soaps, shaving products and creams often contain harmful materials which pollute the environment as well as causing potential health hazards.
Facewipes and wet wipes are behind a staggering 93 per cent of blocked UK sewer pipes and make up a key element of fatbergs with 9.3 million flushed down the toilet every day. Many are made of plastic and should not go down the loo!
But the beauty industry is now acknowledging its environmental footprint and is doing something about it. Many beauty brands have been helping the green movement by using recycled packaging, opting for more organic ingredients rather than chemicals and toxins, and manufacturing their products with renewable energy sources.
Swapping to re-usable wipes can save money, the environment and may even be better for your skin. Re-usable face wipes and flannels can be washed along with towels, they dry quickly and are ready to use again.
Cotton pads are single-use, disposable and often contain plastics. Replacing them with re-usable ones can benefit the planet, reduce waste and save your money in the long run.
Around 61 million disposable razors are bought every year in the UK. Many of them are made from materials that are difficult to recycle. To cut down on waste, switch to a safety razor, re-usable razor or electric razor/beard trimmer.
Switching to soap, shampoo and conditioner bars is a great waste-free alternative and they are becoming more readily available on the High Street and online.
The beauty products campaign is the latest in a series of reduce, re-use and recycle messages being promoted by the BDR (Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham) Waste Partnership and Renewi, the firm behind the award-winning waste treatment facility at Manvers.
Community Education Liaison Officer, Abi Reid, who is based at Manvers, said: “Looking good doesn’t have to cost the earth. There are many re-usable swaps to consider that will help the planet and save money in the long term.
“Before you buy your next beauty product, do your research on what they contain. And if you’re buying plastic products, think about ways you can re-use bottles and containers that you would normally throw away.
“If everyone takes some small steps like this in their everyday life to help the environment, it can add up to some significant benefits to our precious planet.”
Note to Editors: The waste treatment facility at Manvers processes around a quarter of a million tonnes of leftover waste a year from 340,000 homes across Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham, turning it into useful products rather than sending it to landfill.
For further information contact Abi Reid or Rebecca Wilson on 07814 302297 or abi.reid@renewi.com, rebecca.wilson@renewi.com