The haircare industry has a very high carbon footprint. With high levels of chemicals in products, plastic bottles, hot water and energy usage, not to mention that less than 1% of foil gets recycled in the UK. While the news is rather bleak, in this post we delve into the steps you can take to learn how to go green with your haircare routine.
In this post I will delve into ways we can reduce our environmental impact by taking small but important steps. In the end of the day it is many people doing small things that make the greatest change.
Switch over to sustainably sourced, organic products.
There are many studies which show the impact of harmful chemicals in beauty products on the environment.
Some of the more harmful ones to avoid are:
- Microbeads which pollute waterways and are consumed by fish and ultimately us too.
- BHA and BHT which has been linked to genetic mutations in amphibians and is a suspected hormone disruptor
- Triclosan which forms toxins in the waterways
- Oxybenzone and octinoxate which are found in some sunscreens and are linked to damaging coral reefs.
Just to name a few.
Quite simply, more often than not what is good for us is also good for the environment. In the UK around 45% of people report using at least one organic product in the last year while over 60% of people prioritize recyclable packaging. Opting for organic and sustainably sourced beauty products will minimize exposure to toxic ingredients for you and the environment.
Go green by consuming less
This is not something that most beauty enthusiasts want to hear but the truth is that we can all consume less, or at least more thoughtfully. For instance, rather than purchasing individually packed items, opt for a (preferably glass) jar instead. Or instead of purchasing a new razor each time your razor is blunt, research a sustainable, plastic-free reusable option.
Before making a purchase, simply ask if it is necessary. Or as Marie Kondo says, does it spark joy? We see again how what is better for the environment is also better for us. Reducing impulse buys make a huge impact on both our finances as well as the environment.
Reduce wasted hair care products
We all have those bottles that are collecting dust on the bathroom shelves. Once we’ve learned how to shampoo our hair correctly (most of us are doing it wrong!) There are many ways we can reuse products that are not serving a purpose. For example, shampoo that wasn’t great for our hair can be used as body soap. Conditioner can be used as shaving cream. Make up can be sent for recycling to this wonderful organization, Planet Friendly Paint, who make paints out of unused make up. Or simply handing unused cosmetics down to a friend or a local charity.
Glass packaging can be reused as containers in the kitchen or bathroom and mirrors from finished make up packaging can be used as a compact mirror in our handbag. When we think creatively there are endless ways we can reuse and reduce waste. It takes a little moment of thought before throwing something in the trash to consider, how can this be useful?
Recycle
The tricky thing about recycling is that the rules differ depending on exactly where you live. If you want to check your local regulations you can find resources online such as Recycle Now who have comprehensive lists of exactly how and were to recycle different materials.
There are a few general rules of thumb, such as:
- Rinse out any beauty products before putting them in the recycling
- Generally speaking, pumps won’t get recycled so separate the pump from the bottle
- Check if your local authority requires you to remove labels from packaging
- Products such as perfume, aftershave and face cream jars can be recycled with their lids on once completely empty
- Nail polish bottles and mascara brushes are amongst the items that cannot be recycled conventionally but there are organizations such as Terracycle who recycle the non-recyclable.
Choose an eco-friendly hair salon
Our impact relies not only on what we do at home, but also who we support outside of the home. When selecting a hair salon their ethos should reflect our values as consumers.
At SMUK London we use and sell products that are organic and natural. Our color line is ammonia free and organic and we even use a foil replacement called Paper not Foil which is reusable and made from recycled materials. Questions you can ask a salon before making an appointment are:
- Are the colors they use organic?
- Do they sell and use organic and natural products?
- Do they use foils and if yes, do they recycle them?
Conclusion
Finally, this is a lot to take in and it can be super overwhelming. We are all on a journey together and some days we do better than others. In the end of the day it is about making more conscious choices, meaning, before simply throwing something away or purchasing something new- just ask, Does this spark joy? Is there a better way?
Have any questions or comments? Let me know in the comment box below and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for regular updates and hair related inspiration.
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