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.”

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!

After decades of bitter fights, environmentalists seemed to be winning the war against single-use plastics in recent years, with cities around the world banning or taxing them. Then the coronavirus arrived, raising fears that reusable goods might lead to infections. The impact has been swift. From Maine to Hawaii, plastic-bag bans have been suspended or postponed. In San Francisco, reusable shopping bags — once totems of the city's vibrant commitment to sustainability — have simply been outlawed. These reversals have sparked deep concern among activists. Some fear the bans will never be reinstated; others that reusable products may be permanently tainted as “unsafe.” The good news is that activists aren’t the only ones demanding more sustainable packaging these days. So are consumers — and some of the world's biggest corporations are paying attention. Campaigns against consumer plastics date roughly to the discovery of the Pacific garbage patch in 1988. The environmental movement was soon galvanized, and single-use plastics — especially grocery bags and straws — became a focus of global activism. Much of this was misdirected. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, plastic bags and wraps amounted to only about 0.3% of all the waste generated by homes and businesses in 2010. By comparison, containers and packaging make up about 30%. Nonetheless, the proliferation of ocean plastic has worried consumers well beyond San Francisco. Last year, a survey of 6,000 people in 11 countries found that 77% perceived plastics to be the "least environmentally-friendly packaging material.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, 72% said they're buying more environmentally friendly products than they were five years ago, and 83% thought it was important for companies to design products that can be reused or recycled. Those shifting perceptions haven’t gone unnoticed by consumer brands. Over the past decade, some of the biggest have adopted ambitious sustainability agendas. In 2017, Apple Inc. rolled out an aggressive strategy to embrace sustainable paper and cardboard, which resulted in a 30% reduction in plastic use in iPhone 7 packaging. The next year, nearly 300 global organizations, including companies such as Nestle SA, Mondelez International Inc. and Colgate-Palmolive Co., pledged to eliminate unnecessary plastic packaging entirely. Some of those commitments may not amount to much. But the broader trend is unmistakable. For example, last May, 5,000 U.S. households gained access to a zero-waste e-commerce site called Loop. It offers brand-name products packaged in custom-designed glass and metal containers, which the company will deliver to your doorstep in reusable tote bags. Once you’re done with them, Loop will collect all the packaging for washing and refilling. Tom Szaky, the chief executive officer of TerraCycle, the company behind the site, told me that the experience isn't all that different from throwing stuff out; it asks almost nothing of the consumer. Loop isn’t making much money to start. But its animating idea — that reuse should be as easy as throwing something away — is powerful enough that some very big consumer-goods companies are now designing packaging specifically for the site. Want Clorox wipes delivered in a reusable metal container? Loop has them. Want the same experience with Haagen-Dazs ice cream or Pantene shampoo? Loop has those too, along with products from 400 other brands. It also has a waiting list of would-be shoppers that's about "100,000 long," Szaky says. Later this year, the company will start offering pick-up-and-return services at retail outlets around the world. "Manufacturers are promising recyclability and reusability," Szaky told me during a Zoom session, "and we're the easiest way to do it." Loop may or may not be successful in the long-term. But the fact is, consumers everywhere are expressing a clear preference for sustainability — and brands are increasingly responsive. Whatever happens with plastic-bag bans, it’s highly likely that this dynamic will ensure that single-use plastics continue to fade from the marketplace. The coronavirus, for all of its challenges, won't change that hopeful trend.

After decades of bitter fights, environmentalists seemed to be winning the war against single-use plastics in recent years, with cities around the world banning or taxing them. Then the coronavirus arrived, raising fears that reusable goods might lead to infections. The impact has been swift. From Maine to Hawaii, plastic-bag bans have been suspended or postponed. In San Francisco, reusable shopping bags — once totems of the city's vibrant commitment to sustainability — have simply been outlawed. These reversals have sparked deep concern among activists. Some fear the bans will never be reinstated; others that reusable products may be permanently tainted as “unsafe.” The good news is that activists aren’t the only ones demanding more sustainable packaging these days. So are consumers — and some of the world's biggest corporations are paying attention. Campaigns against consumer plastics date roughly to the discovery of the Pacific garbage patch in 1988. The environmental movement was soon galvanized, and single-use plastics — especially grocery bags and straws — became a focus of global activism. Much of this was misdirected. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, plastic bags and wraps amounted to only about 0.3% of all the waste generated by homes and businesses in 2010. By comparison, containers and packaging make up about 30%. Nonetheless, the proliferation of ocean plastic has worried consumers well beyond San Francisco. Last year, a survey of 6,000 people in 11 countries found that 77% perceived plastics to be the "least environmentally-friendly packaging material.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, 72% said they're buying more environmentally friendly products than they were five years ago, and 83% thought it was important for companies to design products that can be reused or recycled. Those shifting perceptions haven’t gone unnoticed by consumer brands. Over the past decade, some of the biggest have adopted ambitious sustainability agendas. In 2017, Apple Inc. rolled out an aggressive strategy to embrace sustainable paper and cardboard, which resulted in a 30% reduction in plastic use in iPhone 7 packaging. The next year, nearly 300 global organizations, including companies such as Nestle SA, Mondelez International Inc. and Colgate-Palmolive Co., pledged to eliminate unnecessary plastic packaging entirely. Some of those commitments may not amount to much. But the broader trend is unmistakable. For example, last May, 5,000 U.S. households gained access to a zero-waste e-commerce site called Loop. It offers brand-name products packaged in custom-designed glass and metal containers, which the company will deliver to your doorstep in reusable tote bags. Once you’re done with them, Loop will collect all the packaging for washing and refilling. Tom Szaky, the chief executive officer of TerraCycle, the company behind the site, told me that the experience isn't all that different from throwing stuff out; it asks almost nothing of the consumer. Loop isn’t making much money to start. But its animating idea — that reuse should be as easy as throwing something away — is powerful enough that some very big consumer-goods companies are now designing packaging specifically for the site. Want Clorox wipes delivered in a reusable metal container? Loop has them. Want the same experience with Haagen-Dazs ice cream or Pantene shampoo? Loop has those too, along with products from 400 other brands. It also has a waiting list of would-be shoppers that's about "100,000 long," Szaky says. Later this year, the company will start offering pick-up-and-return services at retail outlets around the world. "Manufacturers are promising recyclability and reusability," Szaky told me during a Zoom session, "and we're the easiest way to do it." Loop may or may not be successful in the long-term. But the fact is, consumers everywhere are expressing a clear preference for sustainability — and brands are increasingly responsive. Whatever happens with plastic-bag bans, it’s highly likely that this dynamic will ensure that single-use plastics continue to fade from the marketplace. The coronavirus, for all of its challenges, won't change that hopeful trend.

After decades of bitter fights, environmentalists seemed to be winning the war against single-use plastics in recent years, with cities around the world banning or taxing them. Then the coronavirus arrived, raising fears that reusable goods might lead to infections. The impact has been swift. From Maine to Hawaii, plastic-bag bans have been suspended or postponed. In San Francisco, reusable shopping bags — once totems of the city's vibrant commitment to sustainability — have simply been outlawed. These reversals have sparked deep concern among activists. Some fear the bans will never be reinstated; others that reusable products may be permanently tainted as “unsafe.” The good news is that activists aren’t the only ones demanding more sustainable packaging these days. So are consumers — and some of the world's biggest corporations are paying attention. Campaigns against consumer plastics date roughly to the discovery of the Pacific garbage patch in 1988. The environmental movement was soon galvanized, and single-use plastics — especially grocery bags and straws — became a focus of global activism. Much of this was misdirected. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, plastic bags and wraps amounted to only about 0.3% of all the waste generated by homes and businesses in 2010. By comparison, containers and packaging make up about 30%. Nonetheless, the proliferation of ocean plastic has worried consumers well beyond San Francisco. Last year, a survey of 6,000 people in 11 countries found that 77% perceived plastics to be the "least environmentally-friendly packaging material.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, 72% said they're buying more environmentally friendly products than they were five years ago, and 83% thought it was important for companies to design products that can be reused or recycled. Those shifting perceptions haven’t gone unnoticed by consumer brands. Over the past decade, some of the biggest have adopted ambitious sustainability agendas. In 2017, Apple Inc. rolled out an aggressive strategy to embrace sustainable paper and cardboard, which resulted in a 30% reduction in plastic use in iPhone 7 packaging. The next year, nearly 300 global organizations, including companies such as Nestle SA, Mondelez International Inc. and Colgate-Palmolive Co., pledged to eliminate unnecessary plastic packaging entirely. Some of those commitments may not amount to much. But the broader trend is unmistakable. For example, last May, 5,000 U.S. households gained access to a zero-waste e-commerce site called Loop. It offers brand-name products packaged in custom-designed glass and metal containers, which the company will deliver to your doorstep in reusable tote bags. Once you’re done with them, Loop will collect all the packaging for washing and refilling. Tom Szaky, the chief executive officer of TerraCycle, the company behind the site, told me that the experience isn't all that different from throwing stuff out; it asks almost nothing of the consumer. Loop isn’t making much money to start. But its animating idea — that reuse should be as easy as throwing something away — is powerful enough that some very big consumer-goods companies are now designing packaging specifically for the site. Want Clorox wipes delivered in a reusable metal container? Loop has them. Want the same experience with Haagen-Dazs ice cream or Pantene shampoo? Loop has those too, along with products from 400 other brands. It also has a waiting list of would-be shoppers that's about "100,000 long," Szaky says. Later this year, the company will start offering pick-up-and-return services at retail outlets around the world. "Manufacturers are promising recyclability and reusability," Szaky told me during a Zoom session, "and we're the easiest way to do it." Loop may or may not be successful in the long-term. But the fact is, consumers everywhere are expressing a clear preference for sustainability — and brands are increasingly responsive. Whatever happens with plastic-bag bans, it’s highly likely that this dynamic will ensure that single-use plastics continue to fade from the marketplace. The coronavirus, for all of its challenges, won't change that hopeful trend.