Spaniards use between seven and nine cosmetic and personal hygiene products every day, and 52% of general consumption is based on this type of product, according to the National Association of Perfumery and Cosmetics (Stanpa). These products that we use every day in our beauty and hygiene routines have an impact on the environment, as many products are single use, difficult to recycle or contain ingredients that are harmful to the environment. Did you know?
In addition, in summer we tend to increase the consumption of these products, as we more often use sun creams, oils to moisturize the hair, soaps, shampoos, moisturizing creams… And thus the impact on the environment is even greater . TerraCycle, a company specializing in the treatment of hard-to-recycle waste, offers us 5 very simple tricks to make beauty routines more environmentally friendly. Pay attention to these keys to be more durable!
Control the stock: It is important to be clear about which products we have in stock and to check the best before date to avoid throwing them away because they are in bad condition. You need to be clear about what you are buying and when you are buying it to avoid wasting money and waste.
Recycle products you probably didn’t know you could recycle: Many of the products that end up in landfills can be recycled. In Spain, for example, TerraCycle promotes free recycling programs to give a second life to everyday products that we use just as often as razors and oral hygiene products. All these products cannot be put in the yellow container, but must be deposited in public collection points for collection and that they do not end up in the landfill.
Pay attention to sun cream: Some products that protect the skin from the sun can become very toxic, especially to the environment and the seabed. It is important to check the ingredients of the sunscreens you use and to avoid components like oxybenzone, octocrylene and octinoxate. It is also advisable to do without aerosol protectors, so that a large part of the sunscreen ends up on the sand or in the environment and not on our skin.
Reduce packaging, opt for bulk and recycle cosmetic containers: Reducing the use of unnecessary packaging, buying with our own containers and betting on bulk and refilling are very simple and effective measures to be much more environmentally friendly. It is also essential to recycle or reuse the packaging of the products we use and to bet on cosmetic brands that promote this responsible consumption.
Avoid single use products: Single-use products such as make-up removal pads, wipes, swabs, compresses and tampons have a very negative impact on the environment and are already products of the past. It is important to bet on reusable discs, solid soap, menstrual cups, menstrual panties or konjac sponges, among others, to contribute to the zero waste movement.
Source: Marie Claire
