Sacred Tones Healing

When it comes to sustainability and waste reduction, most of us tend to focus our attention on what happens in the kitchen. We might consider which foods we eat and the packaging they come in. We recycle our cans and bottles and use reusable grocery bags. We do the dishes instead of using paper plates. 

But what about everything that happens as you’re getting ready each day? The shampoo and soap you use in the shower, the creams and serums you put on your skin, the plastic toothbrush you replace every few months? Although we don’t tend to think about it quite as much, the waste from cosmetics that Americans use in their beauty and wellness routines creates billions of tons of plastic waste each year. It’s time to start considering the environmental impact of all the products in your home. Here are some tips to help you break it down. 

Switch to Bar Soap and Bar Shampoo

Ditch the bottles. In the end, they clutter your shower for a few weeks and clutter landfills for a few centuries. Switching to bar versions of your shower products has the added bonus that it can also allow you to shop locally, as independent soap and cosmetic makers are popping up all over the country. I’m a fan of Lovett Sundries shampoo bars, made locally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Opt for zero or minimal packaging for optimal environmental impact. 

Invest in Reusable Cloths

If you wear makeup and you’re using cotton balls or disposable makeup wipes to take it off each day, those little bits of waste will add up fast. Make a simple switch to reusable cloths like these Bamboo Makeup Remover Pads that can be washed after each use. It may cost more now, but when you don’t have to buy another huge bag of cotton balls next month (or ever again!), you’ll know it was worth it. 

Do Your Research

Websites like the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website rate products for safety and healthiness and can tell you exactly what’s going into your favorite concoctions. This information is readily available, so there’s no reason not to know what you’re putting on your body and down your drain. From there, you can begin to slowly transition to more sustainable products, starting with the products you use most often. 

Stick to Products Sold in Reusable Containers

This might sound a little far-fetched for the average consumer, but the truth is that more and more cosmetics companies are taking responsibility for the environmental impact of their products and switching over to more sustainable practices, such as selling products in glass containers. If you find that your favorite products are not yet offered in reusable packaging, reach out to the companies that make them with your concerns. 

Participate in Recycling Programs 

In addition to using reusable packaging, many companies now have recycling programs that allow you to send back your empty containers to be refilled. Yang + Yin Health is happy to count itself among these environmentally-friendly companies. Since our packaging is made from natural bamboo, the thought of sending these stunning, durable jars to an already overcrowded landfill makes us crazy!  

So once you’re finished every last, precious drop of Matcha Face Love or TEA-th Love, send us your bamboo jar, which will be properly sanitized for use in a future batch. If you fill out this form, we’ll even pay for shipping. As an added bonus, once we receive your bamboo jar, we’ll provide you with a discount code for your next order.

What are some of your favorite ways to reduce waste in your beauty and wellness routine? Let us know in the comments below!