As we almost step into July, will you be choosing to go plastic free? That is exactly what Australian charity Plastic Free July is challenging us to do – ‘Choose to Refuse’ single use plastic during July. I tried it last year and I actually found it very hard, frustrating, infuriating, impossible…
I thought that I’d always been quite good with my plastic, but on doing the challenge, I realised there was lots of work to be done. Despite the frustration I did make a lot of positive changes, so it was worth it. I will give the challenge a go again this year, but maybe with a different angle..
I remember seeing on Kate Arnell’s instagram some great ways to think about plastic – rather than just getting frustrated about all the plastic packaging, put the energy into talking to those brands that are still using said packaging, to help make positive change. So yes, I will avoid plastic as much as I can, but maybe not get so annoyed with myself for failing. Instead, ask brands why they’re still using it so I can understand a bit more. I have done this before, but not enough I feel…
Kate Arnell is an eco blogger, organic lover (she is an ambassador for the Soil Association) and she is also the go-to expert for living a zero waste lifestyle. Kate has a brilliant blog and You Tube channel – you may also have seen her presenting various TV shows from MTV to The National Lottery.
Kate very kindly answered some questions for the blog on organic beauty, how we can make our beauty routines more sustainable and some tips on ditching plastic…
What does organic mean to you?
For me, organic is about considering the bigger picture. Sure, it means I’m not exposing my self to toxic synthetic pesticides through the products I use, the food I eat and the clothes I wear but it also means that the wider environment hasn’t been damaged, that the local wildlife where the ingredients were grown were protected and the farmer has food security as they are required to grow more than one crop to keep the soil healthy and improve biodiversity. The soil is replenished, not depleted which can then sequester carbon. Whether it’s food, clothing, homewares or beauty, I always look for organic.
Why is organic beauty important?
I think it’s important to only put products that are safe for us and our environment in and on our bodies. The term natural can be a little mis-leading. For example, an ingredient can still be grown in a mono-crop, sprayed with toxic synthetic chemicals, destroy local wildlife and the farmer’s health and still be called natural whereas with organic, I know that it is truly natural. No nasties, no animal testing and it builds soil health and biodiversity. A certified organic product also means no synthetic fragrances are used. Since going zero waste and removing all synthetic chemical cleaning products and beauty products my sense of smell has improved dramatically and I get headaches if I’m near a synthetic fragrance. Many of them are now known to disrupt hormones and have even been linked to cancer, so I know with a certified organic beauty product I’m all good!
I would love to see more organic beauty products offer refills or come packaged without plastic. I know a few are looking to change and start offering refills to customers. Happy Holistics caught my eye recently as they are certified organic and use compostable cardboard tubes and glass for their packaging.
What beauty product couldn’t you live without?
I’m very low maintenance, but I love a good bar of soap (I’m currently using one made from organic tallow!) and my safety razor. If we’re talking make-up, then I love the Eye Coal by Fat & The Moon which I use as an eye liner, mascara and eye shadow.
What is inside your make-up bag?
I simplified my makeup collection when I went zero waste, as there are really only a handful of products I truly need.
– Foundation by 100% Pure which comes in a metal tin. Sadly I’m struggling to find a plastic-free certified organic one but this contains some organic ingredients. I don’t use this daily, but only when I’m filming or feel I need to look a little more put together.
– Eye Coal by Fat & The Moon which I use as mascara, eye liner and occasionally eye shadow.
– Cocoa powder bought from bulk as a bronzer
– Lipstick by 100% Pure – this is the only product that contains some plastic but I LOVE the colour so much
– Vie Long Natural Bristle brushes – I don’t do synthetic bristles
– Home made balm made from melted beeswax and jojoba seed oil that I use on lips and around my eyes
– Shade Sunscreen made using only 4 ingredients in the UK and comes packaged in a metal tin.
– La-Eva Roseum organic moisturiser – it’s designed for use on hands, body and face so I use it everywhere! Multipurpose! And I send it back to be refilled when I’m done.
What is the best piece of beauty advice that you were given and by whom?
Carve out time for yourself and do what fills your cup. I’ve noticed I’m more relaxed and get lots of compliments on how well I look when I’m living my values daily (zero waste + organic!), going for a walk in the woods, enjoying a massage or getting out and exploring a new part of the country. I read, eat, draw, play or listen to music (I love country music!), dance, stare at a fire, spend time with my husband, and feed my mind (I’m obsessed with reading a lot right now and learning to make new foods). When I don’t do things for myself, I feel and look haggard and unwell.
I had to learn this for myself though. Sadly, no one gave me a heads up!
How can we make our beauty routines more sustainable?
Look for plastic-free options! Pair down to the essentials, find multipurpose products and embrace low-maintenance! Also make simple swaps to kitchen cupboard alternatives where possible (oils to moisturise and remove makeup, baking soda as a spot treatment and deodorant, apple cider vinegar as a toner and hair conditioner, local honey to wash my face, arrowroot powder as a dry shampoo, cocoa powder as a bronzer) and look for organic ingredients (even better if the product is certified organic!) when buying a beauty product. I also try to support UK brands over imports.
How do you decide what makes it into your beauty routine?
I like to keep it simple, which means minimal products and ingredients I can understand. For example, if I want to do a face mask, I simply mix some French green clay bought from a bulk store with water and apply. Two ingredients – simple! I use natural oils from bulk, such as olive oil to remove makeup and moisturise my skin and I use reusable organic muslin face cloths. A simple bar of soap works as a body wash and hair care is usually an organic shampoo refill from a hair salon or an unpackaged shampoo bar, followed by a rinse of diluted apple cider vinegar.
I personally try to avoid Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) as I’ve read it can be linked to lung issues, especially in powder form, but sadly it’s still in a lot of non-toxic makeup and beauty products, so I read the ingredients carefully before purchasing. I look for a high percentage of organic ingredients, products that are unpackaged, refills or plastic-free and reusables where possible. No synthetics!
Finally, get a menstrual cup or reusable organic cotton cloth bag. I know it’s not really a “beauty” item but for your health and the amount of waste produced by periods, I had to give it a mention. The cup is a game changer!
Is it possible to live a completely zero waste lifestyle? How can we all get closer to it?
The “zero” in zero waste is the goal and in our current linear model of “take, make, throw”, zero waste is impossible, but it encourages me to think “could I get closer?” – instead of low waste or less waste, where I might simply stop after adopting a reusable cloth bag, zero waste keeps me curious and discovering simpler ways of doing things.
It’s mostly about adopting new habits and new ways of thinking. To get closer to “zero” simply start by making some swaps – keep them simple and easy to achieve to build confidence and before you know, you’ll have them on autopilot and can start making some new changes. It doesn’t happen overnight, and everyone goes at a different pace depending on what they have available to them (bulk stores, refills, accommodating local businesses etc) and what their body, situation requires. What works for me, won’t always work for someone else so some trial and error is part of the process, but don’t give up if something doesn’t work for you. For example, I can simply use bicarbonate of soda as a deodorant but it irritates my husband’s skin so he uses one that comes packaged in a compostable cardboard tube without baking soda. Everyone’s different.
What is your top tip for reducing plastic?
Follow the 5 Rs IN ORDER!
Refuse what you do not need which sends a message that there is no longer a demand for: straws, freebies, plastic pens, keyrings, plastic packaged anything!
Reduce what you do actually need – work out what your true needs are and let go of the rest so that others can enjoy.
Reuse – swap disposables with reusables (there is a reusable alternative for pretty much anything!). I found when I had invested in some reusables that I was actually excited to use, I remembered them more often and found they made nice talking points. I loved using my reusable organic cotton cloth bags to buy loose bulk items, or taking my beautiful glass jars from Le Parfait or stainless steel tin to be filled at the counter.
Recycle – but only what you cannot Refuse, Reduce or Reuse
Rot – compost the rest!
A sneaky 6th R is “Respond” – tell companies why you love their product but you want to see it packaged without plastic. Give positive feedback as well as constructive criticism. It works! A friend of mine who works at Fashion Revolution told be that for every email or piece of communication a company receives, they imagine 10,000 other people out there who think the same thing, but haven’t bothered to contact them. Your voice counts, as does your money… buying is voting!
THANK YOU so much Kate for your really wonderful answers! There really is some food for thought in there, as well as some great product recommendations – definitely some more for my list to try..
Will you be ‘Choosing to Refuse’ single use plastic July? What are your tips for a more sustainable beauty routine?
