Beauty brands are struggling to find the balance between sustainability and design. 

When thinking about your last delivery from your favorite skincare or cosmetics brand, how many things did you need to unwrap before you made it to your product? We all love cute and chic packaging but scary to think about all of the excess. Even with so much research that says how plastic is destroying our planet brands aren’t always ready to invest the time and money into 100% recyclable packaging. This, especially if they think it will hurt their chances of profit or aesthetics.       A 2019 Zero Waste report noted more than 120 billion units of packaging are produced globally by the cosmetics industry each year. Unfortunately, not much of that is recyclable. The good news is beauty brands to major conglomerates like Unilever have announced that by 2025 they will halve their use of virgin plastics and commit to using post-consumer recycled plastic or, ‘PCR.’ This would make Unilever the first major global company to commit to an absolute reduction in plastics across all of its brands. Hopefully, many other companies follow suit.   In lieu of Earth Day, here’s everything you need to know about beauty, sustainability and the future.    

What is PCR plastic?

  Post-consumer recycled plastic or PCR is plastic that has already been recycled before and ultimately repurposed. So by recycling your beauty products, cans, oat milk bottles, and cardboard boxes, you’re contributing to the revolving amount of PCR that brands have to use and distribute.  

Recycle, Reuse, but Refuse to do it

  As we mentioned, if we don’t take steps to recycle we can’t change the future of packaging. Our bathrooms and skincare collections are filled with products waiting to be recycled. But, more than have us actually put those bottles and jars in the right bins. Johnson & Johnson once reported nearly 60 percent of people rarely recycle or have never recycled their bathroom products. The conglomerate also once reported that 20% of Americans didn’t recycle because they didn’t have a recycling bin in their bathrooms.  

Clean your recyclables!

  You can’t just throw it and think you’re doing good. Recycling beauty products actually takes a lot of energy on your part. Because not everything is 100% recyclable, you’ll have to take your products apart. Certain face cleansers and shampoos often have the bottle and then an additional pump. In most cases, recycling the bottle is no problem but the pump can be a little confusing since it’s made of mixed materials, its small, and oddly shaped (more on recycling difficult items below). You’ll also need to clean your bottles and remove your labels. While you don’t need to stress yourself out by washing every last drop, spending a good two minutes washing out your bottles and jars will go a long way. If you just toss your recyclables without washing them, there’s a pretty good chance they won’t be able to be sorted when it comes time to be.  

When in doubt, head to TerraCycle.

  TerraCycle is a company that hopes to eliminate the idea of waste. Remember those pumps to your shampoo and face cleansers? This is where TerraCycle comes in. Some things are harder to recycle than others but, TerraCycle won’t take no for an answer. Their goal is to recycle anything and everything and teach you how at the same time. You can drop off anything that is difficult to recycle at a TerraCycle collection site, or mail it to them!   Have a product you’re unsure about? Head to terracycle.com and type in what you have via their search bar. They’ll tell you everything you need to know and what collection program(s) can take your recyclable goods.  

Bottom line: You have the power to change the industry standards.

  Recycling saves energy, space in landfills, and ultimately helps our earth. The most important thing though is the more we recycle, the more opportunities companies will have to create packaging out of PCR plastics and other materials. The future of packaging within the beauty industry is in our hands.   If you have questions about collections within your state or are wondering how to recycle a certain item, visit Terracycle.com. Many beauty brands like Acure,  Burt’s Bees, and Paula’s Choice have their very own programs and incentives!

Happy Earth Day! In honor of the annual event, Us Weekly’s Stylish is rounding up some popular eco-friendly beauty products loved by the stars themselves.   Best of Beauty: These Are the Top Hair, Makeup and Skincare Products of 2020 … So Far.   Ashley Graham, Zendaya, and Jessica Alba. are just a few of the A-listers who love to get a feel for the best beauty products on the market — especially those brands that are devoted to making sure protecting the environment is a top priority.   One of the easiest ways in which we can all work together to save the planet on Earth day and beyond is by choosing makeup, skincare and haircare products that are recyclable, free of damaging toxins, and full of sustainability-sourced ingredients.   Stars Get Real About Their Natural Hair Colors After Salons Close During COVID-19 Pandemic.   Take the following beauty-loving babes, for example. Former Bachelorette JoJo Fletcher. is “obsessed” with Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-In Conditioner, which uses 100 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials in its packaging. Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness. is hopelessly devoted to Biossance, an EWG-verified brand focused on sustainability and clean formulas.   As part of Us Weekly’s “What’s in My Bag”. series, Lily Aldridge. and Ali Wong. revealed that they always carry eco-friendly essentials on their person. The former Victoria’s Secret Angel swears by Weleda Skin Food, a NATRUE certified moisturizer formulated using a plant-based formula.   And the comedian is big into Rosebud Salve, a multipurpose, cult-favorite must-have that contains just four ingredients. The balm was formulated in 1892 and is packaged in a cool vintage-y tin. It’s also recyclable, that is, if you’re able to part with the pretty packaging in the first place.   Wigging Out! Stars Are Mixing Up Their Hair Looks With Wigs.   Keep scrolling to find out what eco-friendly products celebs are loving and why to determine which one you should scoop up in honor of the holiday!

Teri Hatcher

Desperate Housewives alum Teri Hatcher starts her daily skincare routine by applying a few drops of The Healing Sap from Orveda. ($150). "I just use a few drops and rub this in well. It feels so good I love this product” she tells Us. The luxury vegan skincare line is 100% recyclable and vegan.

Jessica Alba

On a virtual episode. of The Tonight Show on April 2, the Honest Beauty founder revealed that she uses her brand’s Beauty Prime & Perfect Mask .($20) “every morning.” The beauty line is known for its natural and organic products, which are held to an intense six-step standard.

JoJo Fletcher

At a press event. for the brand in January, the former Bachelorette told Us that she’s in love with Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-In Conditioner. ($37). “I love all of the products in the light moisture collection because that works really well for me,” she said. “But I will use the leave-in all the time.”   The haircare brand uses 100 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials in its packaging, as well as naturally derived ingredients whenever possible.

Ashley Graham

The supermodel took to her Instagram Story. last summer to profess her love for aluminum-free and non-toxic Type: A Deodorant. The brand is carbon-free certified by CarbonFund and it uses recyclable mailers to cut down on waste.

Lily Aldridge

In January 2020, the former Victoria’s Secret Angel told Us that she always keeps Weleda Skin Food. ($19) in her bag. The NATRUE certified moisturizer is beloved for the way it smooths even the roughest skin and is safe for the environment. The brand recently partnered with Terracycle. to help recycle product empties.

Ali Wong

The comedian opened up her purse. in June 2019 to tell Us that she always has the multipurpose must-have Rosebud Salve. ($7) on hand. The vegan balm is packaged in a recyclable tin container that can be replaced with a DIY Formula if you feel like getting a little hands-on.

Hilary Duff

The Disney Channel alum is practically the queen of testing clean beauty products. One of her favorites. is Tata Harper Elixir Vitae 2.0., a $450 wrinkle-fighting serum. The majority of the luxury skincare line’s products are housed in glass to make it easy to recycle product empties when it comes time to say goodbye.

Zendaya

The 23-year-old walks fans through her nighttime skincare routine. on her website so they can copy it at home! One of her favorites is The Body Shop Vitamin E Serum-in-Oil .($27). The top-rated formula contains ingredients sourced from Community Trade. so consumers can identify exactly where product ingredients come from and the brand can make a positive impact worldwide.

Olivia Wilde

In a video for Harper’s Bazaar., the Booksmart director revealed that True Botanicals Moisture Lock Overnight Mask. ($75) is one of her go-to skincare products. The hydration-boosting formula comes in glass packaging that can easily be recycled. The brand also features a MADE SAFE seal, which, according to the brand’s website ,  certifies products are made “without 5,000+ toxic chemicals known to harm human and environmental health.”

Jonathan Van Ness

In a video interview. with Byrdie, the Queer Eye star said he swears by Biossance Squalane Vitamin C Rose Oil. ($72). The brand ambassador said, “This oil right here, she is my friend, she is my confidant, she soothes me.” The EWG-verified brand is a plant-based skincare line focused on sustainability and clean formulas.

Kourtney Kardashian

For an everyday glow, the mom of three loves Pai Skincare Rosehip Oil. ($44). The plant-based multitasking blend is vegan and has a Soil Association certification, which means the brand sources ingredients that are grown to organic standards.

Kat Graham

The Vampire Diaries alum told Harper’s Bazaar . that she uses the multipurpose Caudalie Divine Dry Oil. ($49) before going to sleep. The brand is a part of the "1% for the Planet" network and it’s working to reach its goal of planting 8 million trees in 8 countries by 2021.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum  ($185) is an essential part of the Goop founder’s skincare routine, according to her interview with Vogue. The pricey, non-toxic formula contains organic, sustainability-harvested ingredients formulated to help skin looks its absolute best.

With it being Earth Month and the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, making conscious beauty decisions is on our minds more now than ever. But things like monitoring our consumption, optimizing our usage, and working toward more sustainable habits is important year round, not just on Earth Day. Now, before you go off thinking we’re suggesting you completely abandon your old ways, hear us out: it doesn’t take drastic measures to make your beauty routine more eco-friendly. There are plenty of tiny conscious beauty tweaks you can make.   “The beauty industry is only behind the food and beverage industry as one of the world’s biggest sources of waste,” said Belinda Smith, the founder of St. Rose. “However, instead of feeling guilty or discouraged let’s do something about it. Small progress every day is a big win and we all need to do our part if we are going to steer this ship around.”   Ahead, we’re sharing a few conscious beauty changes you can make in your everyday life to work toward a more eco-friendly, sustainable routine.  

Do Your Research and Support Eco-Friendly Brands

  We’re not recommending you give up your 10-step skin-care routine, but you can look to include more eco-friendly and sustainable products. “Support eco-friendly brands with sustainable ingredients,” said Allison McNamara, founder of MARA. “You have the power with your dollar to support brands that are doing their part to make a difference.”   You can usually determine if a brand is eco-friendly by looking at its mission. “Being more mindful as consumers is the number one thing,” said Smith. “Choosing better and buying less. Looking to invest in brands that are practicing what they preach.”  

Recycle Empty Beauty Product Contains

  Instead of just throwing your empty beauty products away in the trash, recycling them properly with beauty-specific programs. Unfortunately, many beauty products cannot be recycling in regular blue bins with other cans and bottles. That’s why programs like TerraCycle exist — they allow you mail your empty, typically non-recyclable beauty products to them to be properly repurposed.   To take your efforts a step further, you can look to support brands that partner with recycling programs. Garnier, Love Beauty and Planet, and Göt2b, to name a few, are all partners with TerraCycle and reward customers in various ways for recycling their empty products.   To help your products get recycled, McNamara explained you should clean them out before tossing them. “I know when you’re in the moment it feels like a chore, but anything (beauty, food, etc) with more than 10 percent left in the component doesn’t get recycled,” said McNamara. “Do your part and rinse out your containers.”  

Trade Your Single-Use Cotton Rounds For Reusable Options

  If you use a cotton pad every time you take off your makeup or use a toner, the amount you’re throwing away can quickly add up. To reduce your waste, switch to reusable cotton pads. “Not only are single use cotton pads wasteful, many contain plastics too,” said McNamara. “Invest in a cute acrylic stand and reusable cotton rounds and clean them like you would your towels.” Try The Good Stuff Reusable Cotton Pads.  

Opt for Products Made With Biodegradable Ingredients

  Plastic waste in landfills can take hundreds of years to decompose. So, next time you’re shopping for things like a toothbrush or hair brush, try looking for biodegradable options. For example, WedBrush’s Go Green Oil Infused Brush is made from all-natural biodegradable plant starch that naturally breaks down in a landfill within five years.  

Think About Packaging

  On the list of potential packaging materials, plastic is one of the worst. Glass, on the other hand is endlessly recyclable and is a better option of the two (however, when thrown out or recycled improperly, it can take twice as long as plastic to decompose). Whenever possible, look for zero-waste packaging. This includes items like shampoo, conditioner, and soap bars by Bottle None that come in plastic-free packaging.  

Buy Refillable Beauty Products

  More brands are allowing shoppers to buy refills to their favorite products without needing to purchase an entirely new jar or bottle. For example, OUAI sells refill pouches for their shampoos which uses less plastic than rigid bottles. Outside of the shower, the new brand Gelo Hand Soaps sells refillable, highly concentrated plant-based soap pods that are housed in a 100 percent biodegradable, water-soluble film that activates when combined with water and J.R. Watkins has a hand soap refill pouch, eliminating the need to purchase a new bottle.  

Cut Back on Single-Use Everything in Beauty

  Taking it a step further than just single-use cotton rounds, consider cutting back on single-use everything. “I stopped using sheet masks and face wipes years ago originally because I realized just how wasteful and unsustainable single use beauty products are,” said McNamara.  

American baby food and baby products company Gerber is preparing to start selling organic banana mango purée in a 100% recyclable pouch this May as part of a broader effort around sustainable packaging. The single-material pouch will be accepted for recycling through a national program with TerraCycle, according to the company, which became a Nestlé subsidiary in 2007.   Although the Gerber brand has existed for more than 90 years, it recently went through a transformation, explained the company’s brand manager and sustainability lead Sina Hilbert. That meant establishing a cross-functional sustainability team to work on responsible agriculture, supply chain, and packaging.   “Our big rally cry is moving our entire portfolio to 100% recyclable or reusable by 2025,” Hilbert said.   Environment + Energy Leader caught up with Hilbert to find out how the company is pursuing recyclable packaging in the United States.   Why is Gerber focused on recyclability for packaging?   Everything from the ingredients to the packaging that we’re putting products in can affect the world. Our sustainability initiatives and strategies focus on creating a world that babies can thrive in. Packaging is a huge piece of that.   Consumers tell us what they’re looking for. Today’s consumers are adamant about a more sustainable option.   What are your plans for making Gerber’s packaging more sustainable?   One of the pieces is having a clear roadmap of different projects, from a packaging standpoint, that help us get to our 2025 goal. The launch of our new single-material pouches is a reflection of that.   We partnered with a supplier that was trying to help develop new technology in the flexible plastic space. One of the issues with multi-laminate pouches, the material we use, is how complex it is. It’s virtually impossible to recycle using traditional means.   Developing this single material actually creates value. It’s a bit easier to recycle and has value in a secondary market.   How did Gerber identify this single material for packaging?   This was driven by the identification of the supplier. Working through the trials needed to make a transition of this scale was largely done by our packaging leads across the globe. They brought the technology to us.   We have rigorous standards for any packaging structure we’re using. There was an extensive process to ensure that this was the right material, that our consumers would be able use it as they would any pouch, and that it could hold puréed baby food.   Where does the material go at the end of its life?   We are continuing our partnership with TerraCycle to get these pouches recycled. Our longer-term goal is to help create a stream so they can be recycled curbside.   One of the partnerships we have is with the Materials Recovery for the Future (MRFF) project being piloted in Pennsylvania. They’re developing a stream for single materials such as these pouches. It’s small in scale now, but we’re pushing for change, particularly in the US market, so materials like this can be recycled through traditional streams.   What has been the biggest challenge with the recyclable packaging process so far?   The biggest challenge is accessibility. I’ve spent some time in Europe and done research on where the US market is relative to other places in terms of education on what can be recycled, what can’t be, and people’s access to recycling things they think should be recycled.   There are still a lot of hurdles to jump: How do we get municipalities on board? How can we structure our recycling program in this country to be more seamless, and easier for consumers to use and understand. That’s something we still need to figure out.   Has the covid-19 pandemic affected your approach to packaging?   Fortunately, no. We still have our same strategy and goals. In times like this you take a brief pause to reassess, but nothing has strayed off course.   Do you have advice for fellow industry leaders around recyclable packaging?   I’ve learned so much about packaging structures in general. My advice would be to not get discouraged about the current market. Stay true to your ambitions for sustainable packaging, and find ways to achieve them.   Navigating difficulties — whether it’s that the technology doesn’t exist or municipalities don’t take this — we definitely wouldn’t be at the point where we are if we allowed any of those hurdles to stop us. Know that it can be done if we continue to push the industry and CPG in that direction.

Coffeemaker F. Gaviña & Sons, Inc. teamed up with international Trenton-based recycling company TerraCycle to offer coffee lovers a free, easy way to recycle coffee pods and espresso capsules.   Through the Coffee Pod Recycling Program, consumers can now send in their used single serve coffee pods and espresso capsules to be recycled for free. To participate, sign up on the TerraCycle program page at www.terracycle.com/gavina and mail in the used pods and capsules using a prepaid shipping label. Once collected, the packaging is cleaned, separated by material type, melted and remolded to make new recycled products while the residual coffee is sent to an industrial composting facility. Also, with every shipment sent to TerraCycle through the program, consumers can earn points that can be used for charitable gifts or converted to cash and donated to the non-profit, school or charitable organization of their choice.   “As coffee growers and roasters, my family built our business on a 150-year legacy and passion for coffee that runs deep and spans four generations,” said Lisette Gaviña Lopez, Executive Marketing Director at F. Gaviña & Sons, Inc. “Sustainability is at the core of every business decision we make, and as we innovate to meet the changing needs and preferences of our customers, we also look for new ways to minimize environmental impact. Through our partnership with TerraCycle we can now extend our environmental efforts beyond the shelf with a responsible recycling program for our espresso capsule and coffee pod customers.”   “At TerraCycle, we understand American’s love affair with a great cup of coffee – we share the sentiment,” said Tom Szaky, TerraCycle Founder and CEO.  “But through the Coffee Pod Recycling Program, coffee connoisseurs can enjoy their favorite pick-me-up, easily reduce waste, all without sacrificing the enjoyment of their favorite brew.”   The Coffee Pod Recycling Program is open to any interested individual, school, office, or community organization. For more information on TerraCycle’s recycling program, visit www.terracycle.com.

With it being Earth Month and the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, making conscious beauty decisions is on our minds more now than ever. But things like monitoring our consumption, optimizing our usage, and working toward more sustainable habits is important year round, not just on Earth Day. Now, before you go off thinking we’re suggesting you completely abandon your old ways, hear us out: it doesn’t take drastic measures to make your beauty routine more eco-friendly. There are plenty of tiny conscious beauty tweaks you can make.   “The beauty industry is only behind the food and beverage industry as one of the world’s biggest sources of waste,” said Belinda Smith, the founder of St. Rose. “However, instead of feeling guilty or discouraged let’s do something about it. Small progress every day is a big win and we all need to do our part if we are going to steer this ship around.”   Ahead, we’re sharing a few conscious beauty changes you can make in your everyday life to work toward a more eco-friendly, sustainable routine.  

Do Your Research and Support Eco-Friendly Brands

  We’re not recommending you give up your 10-step skin-care routine, but you can look to include more eco-friendly and sustainable products. “Support eco-friendly brands with sustainable ingredients,” said Allison McNamara, founder of MARA. “You have the power with your dollar to support brands that are doing their part to make a difference.”   You can usually determine if a brand is eco-friendly by looking at its mission. “Being more mindful as consumers is the number one thing,” said Smith. “Choosing better and buying less. Looking to invest in brands that are practicing what they preach.”  

Recycle Empty Beauty Product Contains

  Instead of just throwing your empty beauty products away in the trash, recycling them properly with beauty-specific programs. Unfortunately, many beauty products cannot be recycling in regular blue bins with other cans and bottles. That’s why programs like TerraCycle exist — they allow you mail your empty, typically non-recyclable beauty products to them to be properly repurposed.   To take your efforts a step further, you can look to support brands that partner with recycling programs. Garnier, Love Beauty and Planet, and Göt2b, to name a few, are all partners with TerraCycle and reward customers in various ways for recycling their empty products.   To help your products get recycled, McNamara explained you should clean them out before tossing them. “I know when you’re in the moment it feels like a chore, but anything (beauty, food, etc) with more than 10 percent left in the component doesn’t get recycled,” said McNamara. “Do your part and rinse out your containers.”  

Trade Your Single-Use Cotton Rounds For Reusable Options

  If you use a cotton pad every time you take off your makeup or use a toner, the amount you’re throwing away can quickly add up. To reduce your waste, switch to reusable cotton pads. “Not only are single use cotton pads wasteful, many contain plastics too,” said McNamara. “Invest in a cute acrylic stand and reusable cotton rounds and clean them like you would your towels.” Try The Good Stuff Reusable Cotton Pads.  

Opt for Products Made With Biodegradable Ingredients

  Plastic waste in landfills can take hundreds of years to decompose. So, next time you’re shopping for things like a toothbrush or hair brush, try looking for biodegradable options. For example, WedBrush’s Go Green Oil Infused Brush is made from all-natural biodegradable plant starch that naturally breaks down in a landfill within five years.  

Think About Packaging

  On the list of potential packaging materials, plastic is one of the worst. Glass, on the other hand is endlessly recyclable and is a better option of the two (however, when thrown out or recycled improperly, it can take twice as long as plastic to decompose). Whenever possible, look for zero-waste packaging. This includes items like shampoo, conditioner, and soap bars by Bottle None that come in plastic-free packaging.  

Buy Refillable Beauty Products

  More brands are allowing shoppers to buy refills to their favorite products without needing to purchase an entirely new jar or bottle. For example, OUAI sells refill pouches for their shampoos which uses less plastic than rigid bottles. Outside of the shower, the new brand Gelo Hand Soaps sells refillable, highly concentrated plant-based soap pods that are housed in a 100 percent biodegradable, water-soluble film that activates when combined with water and J.R. Watkins has a hand soap refill pouch, eliminating the need to purchase a new bottle.  

Cut Back on Single-Use Everything in Beauty

  Taking it a step further than just single-use cotton rounds, consider cutting back on single-use everything. “I stopped using sheet masks and face wipes years ago originally because I realized just how wasteful and unsustainable single use beauty products are,” said McNamara.

All that hand washing we’re doing brings two concerns to mind: Can we find better soap? And what’s going to happen with all this plastic from hand wash bottles? A new launch from Japanese beauty behemoth Kao is answering both with MyKirei by Kao, which encompasses nourishing shampoo, conditioner and hand wash, just in time for Earth Day. “MyKirei by Kao is a true representation of Kao and its global commitment to ESG, which stands for environmental, societal and governance,” says Karen Frank, President, Kao USA. “This is filling a white space for us and it is setting a standard in the industry and world that sustainability is not just reducing the carbon footprint. It is about serving self with products that exceed expectations, it is about giving back to society and helping the world be more beautiful. We want to leave behind nothing but beauty. Our competitors talk about sustainability as it pertains to recycling plastic and reducing water. We too want to do this; however, we want to provide a more holistic approach that allows you to simplify without sacrifice.”   The first MyKirei by Kao collection COURTESY OF MYKIREI BY KAO   That’s why all of the MyKirei by Kao products come in their innovative new “air bottle.” The game changing bottles use up to 50% less plastic than traditional bottles. The air bottles are literally filled with air to provide its structure, allowing them to stand upright, and the design purposely allows for complete evacuation of product, so you can use up every last drop—no waste! (Most competitors leave up to 15% of product residual in the packaging.) Plus, it’s water-tight to prevent contamination. “In the US, we know the refill is a hard sell and we will be offering refills within this portfolio, but we wanted to figure out a better way to empower the consumer to cut down on waste and that’s how the air bottle was born,” Frank says. “It allows the consumer to do their part in preserving the world without sacrifice. Many brands on the market now offer recyclable packaging, but how many consumers actually go through the trouble to recycle it? Not many—91% of plastic is not being recycled and 80% of what is sitting in landfills should have been recycled, but it wasn’t. Our bottles do the work for you so you can feel confident that you are respecting the world as soon as you bring them into your home.”   Aptly named, the literal translation of “Kirei” from Japanese to English is “beauty.” “The Japanese have great respect for the beauty of the world in its natural state, the beauty of respecting one another, and the beauty of caring for society and the world,” Frank says. “MyKirei by Kao allows you to incorporate this lifestyle into your every day through these products.” The line embodies a Japanese philosophy of sustainability and simplicity. “If you’ve ever travelled to Japan, you have already experienced the meaning of Kirei without even knowing that’s what it was called,” explains Frank. “If you’ve noticed how remarkably clean Tokyo is or have experienced white glove cab service or extreme hospitality and caring, that is truly Kirei. The way the Japanese showcase that caring for ourselves, our society and the world around us makes it more beautiful is exactly what the line embodies. And that is Kirei.”   MyKirei by Kao shampoo and conditioner COURTESY OF MYKIREI BY KAO   The collection is vegan, plant-based and cruelty-free and intentionally launching with just three products—shampoo, conditioner and hand wash—to keep it streamlined and cut down on clutter. “These three items are everyday essentials that can be used by everyone in the family,” Frank says. “Hand wash is of the utmost importance in Kirei and something that should be at every sink. Kao believes that good hand washing is the key to keeping society healthy, hence why Kao invests so much in education at the grammar school level in educating Japanese children on the importance of hand wash. We are seeing this now with the coronavirus.” All three products feature universal formulas so that they can be used by the entire family. “They’re for everyone so you can pare down on clutter and waste, keep your shower neat and simple, and add the beauty of simplicity to your home,” Frank says. “In Japan, the term Kirei is often described as creating beauty by pairing things back or by subtracting. By taking unnecessary things away, you can enjoy what really works. It’s similar to Marie Kondo’s movement with Kon Mari but it pertains to products.” They all spotlight authentic Japanese ingredients like tsubaki, rice water and yuzu, which have been used for centuries in Japan to promote wellness, health and beauty, giving the products deeper meaning.   MyKirei by Kao partnered with TerraCycle, which is the only way the products can be recycled. Customers can send their empties to TerraCycle free of charge and Kao is incentivizing consumers to do so by offering a donation in their name to a charity of their choice for every bottle recycled. TerraCycle is able to repurpose 100% of the packaging and upcycle the materials so there is no waste. In Japan they have a similar program where they collect all the empty packages and upcycle them into oversized building blocks that are then donated to schools and children's hospitals.   MyKirei by Kao hand soap COURTESY OF MYKIREI BY KAO   It’s all part of Kao’s recent sustainability pledge, which they’ve taken a holistic approach to. “If we all used safer products that work effectively, helped society with innovations that span all the way to children and the elderly, and reduced our footprint in the world, the world would be more beautiful and a better place to live,” Frank says. “Based on the concerning climate changes and the fact that consumers are not recycling, we had to go to the heart of the problem, which is reducing plastic. But we don’t stop there—we put a lot of thought into the societal values of making sure the packages are legible in the shower if you are visually impaired with Braille on the pumps. You will see many more environmental and societal innovations coming from Kao because those are the acts of caring that drives their innovations and technology.”   MyKirei by Kao marks the first time the company is launching a new brand in the US. Every brand in the US portfolio has either been acquired—Jergens, John Frieda Hair Care, Oribe and Goldwell, to name a few—or brought to the US from Japan, like Biore. This is just the first installment for the brand, which is launching exclusively on Amazon. “MyKirei by Kao is of the utmost importance for the company because it is the first brand where the Kao brand mark will be moved to the front of the package,” Frank says. “The next launch will be this summer and will be all about conserving water and instilling the culture of cleanliness into the next generation. Every launch will have a new way to help you live more Kirei, while telling a different story each time. Our launch next month is just the start. We plan to extend into other lifestyle categories that can make your life more Kirei.”

Earth-Friendly Boredom Busters to Celebrate 50 Years of Earth Day!    It’s the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and this year’s theme is Climate Action. We can use every day to teach the importance of conservation to help make our world greener, brighter, and healthier. We’re all in a worldwide crisis, but we still can’t stop seeing the bigger picture here. As we stay home, safely social distance, and flatten the curve, I have some fun toys to keep kids busy, but also lend to reducing our carbon footprint. At this year’s New York Toy Fair, the majority of my appointments this year were discussing how toys were going to change a lot from production to the way it’s marketed—less waste, even higher quality, and more thoughtful packaging. As with all Green Toys™ products, the Cargo Plane, Fire Plane, and Shape Sorter Truck are made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic with no BPA, phthalates, or PVC and are responsibly packaged with recycled and recyclable materials printed with eco-friendly inks. Eco-Friendly Plastics that Encourage Eco-Mindful Play Green Toys are my go-to toys! They are well made, made in the USA, and are just so much fun! With cool varieties like tea sets, haulers, and even themed book sets—there are plenty of ways to pretend, play, and reduce your carbon footprint! At Target, you can get an additional 20% off via the Target Circle app right now! Walmart is also sharing 35% for toys by Green Toys all month long! More about these great products on my blog! Fellow Disney fans also note—they’re coming out with Disney Green Toys soon—I can’t wait!!! You can find them on Amazon, too!       MGAE geniuses behind Little Tikes, L.O.L. Surprise, and more amazing toy lines promise to deliver products that are more mindful of an eco-friendly world. In 2019, L.O.L. Surprise collectors could turn in their packaging waste to TerraCycle, and continues this initiative today. Isaac Larian, CEO of MGAE promises that "Beginning 2021, the entire L.O.L Surprise! packaging line will be completely degradable."       Little Tikes will now be launching a Go Green line of products that have that same Little Tikes high quality, high playability we love, but will also reduce the company’s carbon footprint. MGAE’s answer to this crisis of toy waste is their new patent-pending compound that breaks down plastic in landfill conditions. Larian also adds that "Beginning 2025, MGAE will only manufacture products that will degrade when disposed of properly."       Currently, MGAE is working to provide PPE for COVID-19 support via its Operation Pac-Man initiative. This company does so many wonderful things for its community and fans!             Little Tikes Go Green! Playhouse encourages pretend play and teaches children the power of energy conservation and environmental awareness by means of a water bottle sunlight, real garden, and even a water collection barrel. Amazon         LOL Surprise Lights may be the last series with the iconic ball. The latest leaks of the newest series features new eco-friendly packaging, and less waste. Find products by MGAE on Amazon, Walmart, and Target.   Mattel/Fisher-Price is taking the eco-initiative and turning their widely popular baby toy line into a stepping stone to lowering their carbon footprint. Not only are they using sustainable products but they’re using really cool materials!       Fisher-Price Baby’s First Blocks bundle and the iconic Fisher-Price® Rock-a-Stack® have been produced using sugarcane-based plastics! They hope to produce 100% recycled, recyclable or bio-based materials in both its products and packaging by 2030. Mattel has also donated their production line to producing masks and more PPE to help support the frontline employees during the COVID-19 crisis.       Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack & Baby's First Blocks Bundle is not available yet with the new material, but this would be the sets that you can see being transformed into 100% eco-friendly toy!         ZURU is a company that knows how to party, and they just announced something to definitely celebrate! Their widely popular Bunch O Balloons starting in 2021 will be 100% certified recycled plastic with TerraCycle. How cool is that?       You can also reuse a lot of their packaging like 5 Surprise for example, the segments can be turned into little display shelves for toys thus reducing the carbon footprint! Find their whole line of toys and party products on Amazon, Walmart, and Target!       Bunch O Balloons Slingshot (3 Bunches of Bunch O Balloons) is great to keep kids busy outside. Who knows how long we have during this shelter in place? Why not get wet and have a blast while sheltering in place? Find this awesome set on Amazon! Hasbro already has pledged to reduce their carbon footprint by removing plastics from their packaging. They also teamed up with TerraCycle to accept donations of well-loved toys and games. The toys are then transformed into the beautification of outdoor play spaces like park benches, and flowerpots. Hasbro hopes to phase out plastics from their packaging entirely by 2022.       You can find Hasbro products on Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Be sure to add in Play-Doh, plenty of board games into your Boredom Busters collection.

Eco-Friendly Plush

            Wild Republic announced in 2019 that they would be producing a 100% eco-friendly plush called, Eco-kins Ecokins are made of 100% recycled materials —plastic bottles to be exact, which is an amazing technology. They are very soft, and come in a variety of wild animals and mythical creature. Swipe to see some fun rubber duckies too- a peacock, skunk, and unicorn add a lot of storytelling during bath time and pool time. We love their rubber duckies! Find Wild Republic products on Amazon like this cute Stuffed Leopard.       Headstart Toys is known for making awesome toys - a lot of our favorite toys are by Headstart, so when they announced that they would be creating a fully sustainable plush toy line, I was not surprised.   Re-softables are super cuddly and totally eco-conscious. Did you ever think that your bottle of water can turn into a super cuddly and cute plush toy? Re-softables are revolutionizing the plush world with a 100% recycled line of plush toys - cuddly mini koalas, unicorns, kitties, pups to medium and large plush that are comforting to children and good for our beautiful world. Each Re-softables has a recycle symbol on its tush and what looks like to be the lid had been turned into a tag shaped as the recycle symbol. The fur is very soft, the colors are earthy yet bright, and would be perfect for Easter or any other occasion. Headstart Toys is also changing the way they produce their other toys lines and this is a very big step in the right direction.         Hairdooz are a fun and exciting new doll line that encourages pretend-play with the packaging and the doll! You just simply recycle the outer wrapping, plastic ties, and used sticker sheet and keep the rest. Perfect boredom buster! Find Hairdooz and other toys by Headstart on Amazon, Walmart, Target, and even at Five Below!   Aurora World makes 100% eco-friendly plush. With their licenses spanning from Dr. Seuss's The Lorax to Breyer to the adorable show on Netflix Yoo-Hoo, Aurora World quickly captures the essence of cuteness! They are known for their adorable plush that can be found on shelves from Zoo and Aquarium gift shops to flower shops to the toy shelves into your kid’s heart.   They made efforts starting in 2018 to reduce their carbon footprint by making small changes to their plush toy line. Now their plush will be 100% sustainable even down to the eco-friendly recycled biopolymer pellets inside the plush! I love their Shoulderkins and licensed plush! Find Aurora toys at Walmart and Amazon like this adorable Turtle Shoulderkins on Amazon!    

Toys with an Eco-Friendly Message

  Jay at Play is launching Super Cuties a new toy line featuring adorable babies with superpowers! Not only are these toys just adorable, but they will also convey important messages about environmental awareness. Their plans are to focus on saving humankind from villains all while saving the planet, and spreading awareness of how important kids' roles are in saving the environment too! Plus, these dolls are just so adorable and perfect for pretend play that they would make great teaching tools!   Playbrites use very little packaging to draw the consumer in! This toy has multiple functions as its a night light, a mini disco light, and a buildable toy that can be mixed and matched with other Playbrites!   Boxy Girls are a fun collectible doll line that promotes pretend play! The packaging is so beautiful that I actually keep everything it comes with, I just recycle any plastic pieces which are just ties to keep the doll in place. Boxy Babies will also be coming out later this year with larger packaging, and dolls that are bigger to hold. The packaging is encouraged to be kept as it turns into a high chair for the baby. Find Jay at Play products on Amazon, Walmart, and Target.  

Sustainable Wooden Toys

    HABA is the industry leader in sustainability as they have spread environmental awareness with their toys for many years. They only work with wood suppliers that are PEFC* certified, and only use beech and birch woods from sustainable forestry. HABA cares from their core—their environment awareness starts with their employees to the very hands of the child playing with their awesome toys.   *PEFC = Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification       Bonita Garden is a peg stacking toy that is not only fun to play with but also really beautiful!      Zooing Around Large Playset is a large playset with animals and even a zookeeper to encourage open-ended play. The whole package is the playset!     Le Toy Van is a firm believer that is “wood is good,” Le Toy Van is reducing our overall carbon footprint by creating thoughtful toys made from re-purposed Rubberwood trees that have reached the end of their life. Their products run the gamut from busy toys to tactile toys that facilitate pretend play and expand the imagination! Dollhouses with intricate details, toys for a baby that rattle and shake, and all made from sustainable wood!   Find Le Toy Van products on their website and on Amazon - like this adorable Daisylane Holiday Camper Van. Toys With Less Waste and More Play   LEGO is the perfect boredom buster, and they are also the pinnacle of sustainability as they are all compatible with each other, and have been a generational toy—sanitize and hand them down to the next kid. LEGO’s functionality, durability, and overall fun factor hold their value as the industry’s top toys for sustainability. There is a great selection on Amazon, Walmart, and Target.   Check out the latest Star Wars LEGO sets that are perfect for display and play!    

LEGO Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Resistance Y-Wing Starfighter

  The Mandalorian and The Child Razorcrest LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian The Razor Crest 75292 Building Kit, New 2020, Amazon Exclusive (1,023 Pieces)       Basic Fun! Toys has a great line of Tonka trucks that will encourage kids to dig in the dirt and get to know Mother Nature more closely. You can find them on Amazon, Walmart, and Target.         Check out the Metal Movers Tonka trucks line that is perfect for pushing rocks and bits of grass - making way for some pretty flowers!     Playmonster has a lot of toys that I found to be very eco-conscious - not only are they big on fun, but they are big on being thoughtful with their toys! Playmonster's Fuzzikins are adorable figures that are flocked and can be decorated over and over again with the included washable markers. All you have to do is rinse them off, wipe clean, dry, and enjoy again. Fuzzikins encourages imaginative play, so even the packaging is used to create an adorable world for the Fuzzikins. My Fairy Garden encourages kids to want to garden, and each set includes everything you need to create a magical world for the fairies. Kids can learn about the wonders of plant life and the importance of water conservation. The My Fairy Garden Nature Cottage includes a water collecting barrel that connects to a simple piping system and it collects the dripping water to re-use!     Fuzzikins Cottontail Cottage uses the entire package for play! Cut out extra characters, color the figures and wash for extended play, and more! Find this set on Amazon!   My Fairy Garden has a wide selection of sets! One in particular that I love is one we just unboxed which included a piping system to collect the water that drained from the soil. This is a great way to teach water conservation! If you're looking for something smaller, but still teaches about gardening and gives the a great starter for eco-conscious homeschooling lesson, then check out the Unicorn Garden Paradise on Amazon. Find Playmonster products on their website, Amazon, Walmart, and Target.   Skyrocket encourages fans of their Blume dolls line to reuse the packaging for gardening! The packaging container is not only for great shelf display, but can be used as a home for the doll, and even used as a flowerpot. You can find exclusive sets on Amazon with extra pieces for more fun!     Blume dolls are adorable dolls that live in flowerpots! The company encourages kids to use the package as the doll's home. You can also use it as a neat flower pot! Amazon Baby Pop is my favorite toy! This toy has about zero waste, recycle the wrapper, and used sticker sheets, and then you can keep everything! Blume House is a full playset that is just magical from top to bottom! Again there is very little waste with this toy! The same premise and concept of environmental awareness is encouraged. Find Blume Dolls and Blume Baby Pop on Amazon, Walmart, and Target.     Just Play Products' encourages pretend play and brings kids (and even parents, too!) into a world of joy and imagination! Their line of Ryan's World toys blows me away! Ryan's World safes, in particular, are a full-on playset with a unique storage system. This set encourages open-ended play where they can unbox surprises that can be used for hours of pretend play. You throw away the wrapping, and keep the rest! The new Ryan's Mystery Playdate Ultra Mystery Box is a full playset once opened leaving very little waste.   Just Play also makes Hairdorables, a really neat line of dolls with big hair and positive attitudes. Their latest Scented Series got a packaging revamp where the collector keeps the container to store their doll and accessories. You just have to recycle the blind bags and sticker sheets, and keep the rest! Find Just Play products on Amazon, Walmart, and Target.   IMC Toys makes adorable babies and other cool products. Their Cry Babies are very popular, and the miniature versions, Cry Babies Magic Tears, actually has great play value and minimal waste once unboxes.       The Cry Babies bottle houses and pet houses are adorable figures that cry when they are fed. Each of the bottle houses includes accessories for a fun unboxing experience. You just discard the wrapper and used the sticker sheet, and keep everything else! Get the 3-pack on Amazon for the ultimate in boredom busting! Find Cry Babies on Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Do you have any more suggestions on how to bust boredom in a more eco-friendly way? Let me know in the comments below! Sharing is caring, too!  

Leatherback turtles are laying more eggs than they have in two decades on now-empty beaches in Thailand.   Sparrows are flocking back to gardens in Britain. Goats are roaming the streets of Wales.   L.A. can see the mountains again. India can see the Himalayas for the first time in 30 years.   If it wasn’t clear before the coronavirus pandemic forced billions of us to stay at home, it’s clear now. Human activity is crippling the planet and the planet can recover…if given the chance.   But there are also some things that haven’t changed: there are still mountains of plastic floating in the oceans. In fact, microplastics were recently found for first time in Antarctic ice where krill source food. That’s how profoundly our plastic habit has poisoned the earth and its ecosystems.   Right now, many of us are thinking more deeply than ever about our impact, on our shared home and on one another. We don’t know what the world is going to look like when we come out on the other side of this, but we have a chance to make it better.   The simplest, most direct impact we can have on the health of our future, right now, is to change our daily habits. Consider the weight of the plastic waste you’re leaving in your wake, every single day, and make small, sustainable changes to reduce that.   With the support of the #LifeafterPlastic revolution-leading folks at Alpine Provisions, we’ve taken our hugely popular Planet Over Plastic Challenge and freshened it up for Earth Day 2020 with new ideas that are doable from home.   We’ve kept our classic avoid-plastic tips: genuinely helpful, practical little things we can all do, with shout outs for some of our fave eco companies doing it right—not because they paid us, or even know we mentioned ’em here, but because we genuinely love what they’re doing to help rescue this precious planet of ours from drowning in plastic.   Take one tip a day to stay inspired, informed, and empowered. Share the challenge with your friends, family, colleagues. Start a Planet Over Plastic group (virtually, of course) to keep each other pumped and accountable.   Even if you only manage to accomplish 1 of these 31 things, you’ll have made a difference, and contributed to a better world for us all to enjoy again, just as soon as we can.  

What products should you choose to compose a more responsible toiletry bag? How to avoid single-use plastic? What are the pitfalls to avoid ? I used my own experience to answer these questions that we all ask! 5 years ago we decided to pay more attention to our daily consumption. We started to eat less meat (because we were big carnivores) and to pay more attention to our races in general . When we left to live in Montreal , we further slowed down our consumption of meat, but for the rest it was "complicated" because all of our landmarks were shaken up, we no longer knew what to buy and where ... When we returned to Paris, start 2018, I was aware that it was not enough . So I decided to go further in this process and do everything to avoid consuming single-use plastic while traveling but also at home.

Is it complicated to zero in on waste?

Some people do not dare to start because they think that "it's complicated", that "it takes more time" or that "it costs more" ... etc We were among these people, so I think we are well placed to testify that no: zero waste is not that complicated , that it does not take more time and above all that in the long term it costs less ! Example: The average price of a disposable toothbrush is 2.5 €. The Caliquo rechargeable toothbrush is € 2.95 and refills cost € 1.25 per unit. Result after a year: if you change your head three times, rather than buying 3 toothbrushes, you are a winner! Finally,it is generally more practical when traveling because liquid products are replaced by solid products . This means that: no more hassle of liquid spilled in your bag / suitcase and above all more restriction of 100ml for cabin baggage.

Why did I choose to speak on this subject?

This is the first blog post where I speak on the subject of more responsible consumption and I hope there will be others. I am not an expert, I am far from perfect, but it is a subject that fascinates me and where I constantly learn new things . To start, I chose to tackle our hygiene and beauty products and therefore our toiletry bag. For some products we are not on zero waste at 100% because we would have to take everything in bulk and sometimes it does not exist for hygienic reasons. But I mainly selected products with packaging in paper, cardboard or reusable plastic. The goal is of course to avoid single-use plastic packaging. Promised my ideas are: easy, fast and economical ! All the products I'm talking about here have been bought and tested by us for several months, even several years for some. For those who follow us on Instagram, you have surely seen our stories “Ecology passer”. It is through them that I shared our new purchases and especially gathered your advice which helped me a lot. So I chose to do this article in the continuity of these stories. I hope that you will discover things thanks to this article and especially I hope to learn new things thanks to you!

Presentation of the products to compose a greener toiletry bag

1. the soap

On the soap side, we alternate between Marseille soap from Corvette and “Nile” soap from Sloe . The first time, we bought the Nil soap in its reusable aluminum box so now we just buy the refill.

The Corvette

Marseille Soap La Corvette has been produced since 1894 at Savonnerie du Midi in Marseille , using the traditional cooking method of cooking with cauldrons. The Corvette is one of the 4 traditional Marseille soap manufacturers members of the UPSM "Union of Marseille Soap Professionals". Economical, ecological and very effective, Marseille soap is used both for personal hygiene (skin, hair and teeth) but it can also be used to clean dishes or detach your clothes while traveling. It is therefore a great multi-use product, essential at home and / or in your toiletry bag ! ☞ Find all the tips on the Corvette blog: www.la-corvette.com . As for Sloe, it is a small brand that we discovered in December 2019 during a Christmas concept store. It was there that we met the founders:  Fanny and Bertrand . They are sparkling and have a real desire to change things and I admire them very much for that! Besides, I love how they define their brand: “Sloe is for everyone who is aware of the climate emergency but who does not always know where to start. […] In short, Sloe is for all those who want to stay clean without dirtying the planet ”!

Why we recommend the brands Corvette and Sloe

Sloe uses the cold saponification method , a  unique, ecological, artisanal and ancestral production  which guarantees the best possible conservation of the properties of the vegetable oils used. And Corvette , makes real Marseille soap according to the traditional method in cauldrons (hot saponification) , based on vegetable oils without perfume, coloring or preservative.

2. shampoo

As for shampoo, I currently have a treatment for eczema, given by the doctor, which requires me to use a shampoo bought in pharmacies. Hi the stressed chick, ah ah! But here are the ones that friends have tested and advised me:

• the solid shampoo "Elbe" Sloe
• the  solid shampoo with almond milk to Breathe
• and if you want a smaller format there is the travel version at Pachamamaï

I'm thinking of testing Sloe's after confinement, so I can give you a return before summer!

3. the toothbrush

At first I started with the idea of buying a bamboo toothbrush then Chrystelle from the travel blog Wait & Sea made me realize that I had to be careful with bamboo objects. Some dishonest people are riding the ecology wave to make money…. So small certified ecological farms and / or fair trade are no longer sufficient to meet the great demand for bamboo and we are witnessing in particular in Asia, the deforestation of other species to make gigantic plantations ... I discussed this with Fanny , the co-founder of Sloe , for their part they selected bamboo "Moso" to make their toothbrush. Moso bamboo grows in abundance and its culture does not require water. In addition it is a bamboo which is not consumed by pandas, so the impact of its culture is less for the environment.

Which brand of toothbrush with interchangeable head should be chosen?

My choice therefore turned, on Chrystelle's advice, to the bioplastic toothbrush with the interchangeable head . So when the hairs start to do the hop face I just change my head! And what's great is that you just have to send the heads to Terracycle, who takes care of recycling them. I bought our two toothbrushes from Altermundi because it was the only "responsible" store I knew near us. Finally, I chose those of the Lamazuna brand but with hindsight, and after a discussion with our friends Chloé & Gurkan from the blog Van life goes on , I realized that I had been tricked! I paid € 7.90 for the Lamazuna toothbrush while the Caliquo brand does the same at 2.95 € . The beginner's mistake ... But at least you are warned!

4. the toothpaste

After the toothbrush, my second fail was: the toothpaste ... I bought at the same time as our toothbrushes the solid toothpaste on a wooden stick of the Lamazuna brand . The peppermint taste was frankly not bad. But the solid toothpaste on a stick was a really bad idea . Firstly: since you have to wet the head of your toothbrush to rub it on the toothpaste, the toothpaste is wet ... So after that you have to wait for it to dry before putting it in your toiletry bag. So not ideal for travelers. And secondly: after a while it falls from the stick so it becomes hell to use the little bits of toothpaste that remain. Since that day, I learned from my mistake and so I turned to a solid toothpaste in a reusable aluminum box. I chose Sloe's because they are the few to offer toothpaste lozenges and frankly I love the concept: you crunch and you rub. It's easy, it lathers just enough and you have the feeling of freshness thanks to the natural mint flavor! Perfect !

5. the deodorant

For the deodorant I use the “ Superstar ” from the Canadian brand Routine. that I had in a box during our trip to Calgary. I love its creamy texture which I find super easy to apply. Unfortunately the brand is not distributed in France… There is only one European distributor which is located in Denmark, so we will see if one day we go there, I will make myself a stock. So when it is finished I will use Sloe's “Louga” deodorant cream .

6. cotton swabs and ear picks (oriculi)

I bought a metal oriculi two years ago in supermarkets but I can't find the extra washing experience. So I bought bamboo cotton swabs at Altermundi but it was quite expensive: € 4.90 per box of 100. We finally opted for biodegradable paper cotton swabs which cost around € 2 per box. 200.

7. washable cleansing cottons

Two years ago I invested in a kit of washable cleansing squares in eucalyptus, with a washing net and a travel kit at Emma's Trends . Personally I use this kit as storage at home, but not when traveling because it is a little big knowing that I use one square per week. I take a few squares in my toiletry bag, depending on the length of my stay. Note that there is also a glove version if you prefer! To wash them, nothing simpler I rub them by hand with soap. And if they are still stained I use baking soda, it helps to re-whiten them.

8. products for making up, removing make-up and moisturizing the skin

So, friends, it's now that I'm going to need your advice! Let me explain the situation to you: I wear very little makeup and besides I think I started to wear makeup around 16 and that since my routine hasn't really changed… Basically I use a moisturizer as a base , a good-looking powder, a black pencil and a mascara. And sometimes I put on a little red lipstick to spice it up a bit. So as much to tell you that my makeup usually lasts two years! But here I use a little the same brands since I was 16, which are big brands known to all and which are far from being green… So I need your advice to know which brands of cosmetics more ecological to choose ? Same make-up removal side I have used make-up removing milk for a long time, now I use micellar water but apparently it is not great for the skin (and it is in a plastic bottle). So I was advised to buy Jojoba oil to remove my makeup . In which I can dilute a few drops of Tea Tree essential oil to disinfect the skin. What do you think ?

9. feminine protections

Adios tampons, panty liners and disposable towels! I bought a menstrual cup of the brand “BeCup” in supermarkets two years ago and frankly to try it is to adopt it. When traveling you just have to think of having a water bottle to clean it in the toilet when you have no access to a tap… But otherwise it's super practical, I no longer have the little irritations that I sometimes and above all I produce less waste. And for those who wish, you can complete the cup with washable panty liners . Otherwise, you can also invest in washable sanitary towels made of organic cotton and / or menstrual pants . I love the brand “ in my pants ”, I follow it on social networks and I find it really hot! (I did not expect to find washable sanitary napkins… Ah ah). I have never tested their products but I find that they have succeeded in modernizing female protections . It's design, while protecting your body and the planet! So it's threefold cool!

10. sun protection

It's difficult to find a solar range with refillable containers. Personally I use the EQ brand sun and after-sun range because I know that at least the cream respects corals. EQ is  certified ORGANIC by Ecocert® and labeled Cosmebio® so it allows to reconcile skin protection and ocean protection ! In addition, all of their products are PETA certified. That is to say that they do not use any components coming from animals and that the products are not tested on them. For the body I use SPF 30 sunscreen to protect my skin from the sun. And for the face I had the combistick index 50 that I had trouble spreading ... Suddenly I traded it against the golden stick SPF 50+ which I clearly prefer, because it does not make a white mark. This format is often used by surfers and I find it perfect for hiking! On the after-sun side, I use the sublimating moisturizer  which hydrates my skin well while leaving a delicious smell of coconut.

For further…

As I said above, I am not at all an expert in zero waste. I chose to do this article on "how to compose a greener toiletry bag" to help you in your research of clean and nomadic products. And above all, to avoid you making the same mistakes as me. There are no small gestures when we are more than 7 billion to do them!   Here are some sites to help you in your zero waste approach:

• Zero Waste France
• Zero Waste Home by Béa Johnson (I recommend his book)
• the workshops of the Maison du Zéro Déchet in Paris

I hope this article has helped you find the right products for your needs. If you have any advice, don't hesitate to write them in the comments , I would be happy to include them in this article! And if you see new topics to cover here, or if you have ideas on a future eco-responsible subject on which you want me to write, I'm all ears!