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We knowplastic is a big problemin the personal care industry.
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Those are often steps in the right direction, but in truth, we’re just scratching the surface.
There’s still much to sort out and it’s all a bit confusing.
So, first, here is what we know about plastic packaging.
Looking for that little triangle of arrows on the bottom isn’t necessarily a slam dunk either.
(This is something some brands likeLove Beauty and Planetare addressing with new designs.)
Also a problem for sorters: small packaging.
At the end of the day, recycling is a business.
Even a nine-percent recycling rate is a lot of plastic that avoids a landfill.
What’s nine percent of that?711 million unitsof rigid plastic.
Plastic isn’t endlessly reworkable, though most plastics can only be processed once or twice.
You may notice a shift toward plastic made from natural sources designed to break down more quickly.
Yet there’s a pretty big “but” here.
And the term “biodegradable” itself unfortunately doesn’t mean much.
And, for now, looking for the word “compostable” doesn’t help either.
Right now only four percent of Americans have access to curbside composting pickup, says Szaky.
Yes, plastic pollution is a crisis.
However, it’s important to note that it’s recycled aluminum that gets all the love.
Paper has its own concerns.
And then there’s glass, a material with complex considerations.
But reusable glass came out on top in another important category the: marine litter indicator.
Glass doesn’t have the same impact seen in marine life as plastic does as it breaks down.
It’s hard out here for an environmentally-conscious consumer.
And it can be a tough call for brands when deciding which tradeoffs to make.
For all of the many factors in this conversation, that answer to that question is actually pretty simple.
First and foremost, focus on the “reduce” portion of reduce, reuse, recycle.
Strip your routine down to the basics and simply buy less stuff.
When possible, you could opt for packaging-free bar options (such asEthique’sshampoo and conditioner bars).
Buying from these brands making moves truly helps the bigger picture.
Nonprofit that runs a global disclosure system for investors and companies to manage their environmental impacts.
