How To Save The Planet With Your Shampoo
“It cannot be right to manufacture billions of objects that are used for a matter of minutes, and then are with us for centuries”-Roz Savage (Writer, Activist).
It’s often said that taking little steps to reach a goal is a way to see change happen even if it’s not right away.
- If you want to lose weight, you can slowly start to implement healthy habits into your life such as drinking more water, laying off the sweets, or walking a mile a day to get there
- If you want to learn a new instrument, you can dedicate 30 minutes of your day to practicing with the hope that someday, you’ll get better
These things seem quite obvious, right? But if practicing better habits to reach a goal is so common, why do so many people turn a blind eye to environmental issues & the ways they can make a difference? I’ll give you a hint: priorities.
In order to prioritize something, you’d have to care about it. The harsh truth is, so many people today could care less about the planet & the impact they will leave on it.
But I’m not here to talk to them, I’m here to talk to you! You’re the one who bought the Hydro-flask & politely declines the straws given to you at Starbucks because you believe even your smallest efforts can make a difference.
So, let’s talk about getting rid of your traditional shampoo and conditioner ;)
Have you ever heard of a shampoo bar? I hadn’t until earlier this year which is a complete shame. Let’s talk about it! What is a shampoo bar & conditioner bar? How long does a shampoo and conditioner bar last?
In short, shampoo bars were created as a replacement for traditional liquid shampoo. They are a more sustainable way to reduce plastic. They often are a more natural way to wash your hair considering they don’t typically use the harsh chemicals and fragrances used in modern shampoo *though always be sure to check your labels*!
The point is, shampoo bars are rad. They are most commonly packaged in paper and stored in reusable metal tins, which means reducing landfill, my friends. Less traditional shampoo & conditioner bottles = less waste. Not so fun facts:
- 552 million shampoo bottles have the possibility of winding up in landfill every year
- 1,164 football fields could be filled with the amount of shampoo bottles that are thrown away every year
- only 1 out of every 5 people routinely recycle products from their bathroom
(If you’d like to learn more about the effects that plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles have on the planet, check out: https://unwrappedlife.com/blogs/blog/the-case-for-plastic-free-shampoo-and-conditioner#:~:text=more%20than%20552%20million%20shampoo,fill%201%2C164%20football%20fields%3B%20and).
How long do shampoo bars last?
Unfortunately, I can’t give you a proper answer because everyone has a different hair care routine. What I can tell you is that on average, a shampoo bar will last somewhere between 80–100 washes. For someone that washes their hair 3 times a week, a shampoo bar would last them approximately seven and a half months! For someone who washes every day, a shampoo bar would last 3 months.
That is pretty darn good especially because shampoo bars tend to be extremely cost-effective. (We love to save money over here hehe).
Now that I’ve got your attention and you’re more informed, how can you get your hands on one of these shampoo bars & start your journey towards a plastic-free hair care routine?
Best Shampoo Bars On the Market!
You’ll be surprised to find out that a lush shampoo bar will not be on the list, but don’t click out just quite yet ;)
There are many things to consider when trying to find the shampoo bars that really do the job. I’m going to share with you my top 3 favorites.
1. Bain & Savon Botanical Shampoo Bar ($9.17)
The more research I’ve done on this brand, the more I have fallen in love with them so allow me to rave. They are:
- Vegan
- Fragrance-free
- Paraben/Sulfate-free
- Soap-free
- Metal tin included
- Cost-effective
- Small business
2. Friendly Soap Natural Shampoo Bar ($3.46)
Weighing in at 95 grams, this is a pretty good-sized shampoo bar. To make things even better, the Friendly brand seems extremely dedicated to keeping their products natural and free of anything that would be harmful to the environment. Let’s talk about this bar, shall we?
- No preservatives/sulfates
- No palm oil
- Plastic-free boxes
- Vegan/cruelty-free
- Extremely cost-effective
3. Package Free Round Shampoo Bar ($14.00)
Though these bars maybe a little more pricey, the Package Free brand have done all they can to advocate for a world free of waste & that is a bandwagon I can get on. Check out more on their blog www.trashisfortossers.com. Now onto their shampoo bars:
- Vegan/cruelty-free
- 5 different varieties for all hair needs
- 100% backyard compostable
So, what are you going to do now?
I’ll tell you exactly what you’re going to do. You’re going to find a shampoo bar & take a step towards limiting the amount of waste on our planet.
Remember what we talked about at the beginning of this journey? We talked about small actions that will make a difference.
You may not be able to clean up every beach or hold up signs on the side of the road urging people to care about their footprint on this earth. You may not be able to dedicate your life to saving the planet.
What you can do is make a choice. Make a choice to take responsibility for the way you interact with the world. Make a choice to be mindful. Make a choice to care for the next generation of people who will come after you.
No matter how small the action; be the weirdo who brings their metal straw everywhere they go, the eco-freak who busts out their bamboo cutlery at the lunch table, heck maybe even the newly converted shampoo bar user? Be that person because the world needs you.
