As more consumers look to reduce their environmental impact, Melanie McVean, co-founder of Australia’s favourite natural deodorant, No Pong, shares her top five tips on eco-friendly swaps in the bathroom that don’t need to be costly, time consuming or difficult.
1. Reduce plastic
From 2018 to 2019, a total of 3.5 million tonnes of plastics were consumed in Australia.
As mass-consumption increased, so did the amount of waste pollution, wreaking havoc on our beautiful beaches and water canals. Body washes, shampoos and conditioners, and face washes, to name a few, are all single-use, plastic packaging.
If you want to minimise your consumption of plastic, consider using a bar of soap, shampoo or face wash instead. Swap out your disposable plastic razor for an electric one, and your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one – it’ll save you money and save the planet in the long run.
2. Green products
Natural beauty and personal care products have grown in popularity and the plethora of options available for make-up, moisturisers, body wash and more, makes switching that much easier.
Ensuring you consider which products are being used on sensitive parts of your body such as eyes, lips, or even armpits is always important, and when you’re putting in so much effort into eating well and living a healthy lifestyle, it doesn’t make sense to use products filled with chemicals, parabens, and other questionable ingredients.
No Pong deodorants are made from all-natural ingredients that work together, neutralising odour rather than blocking pores, and is designed to absorb sweat while allowing your skin to breathe.
3. ‘Someone’s trash is another person’s treasure’
Instead of buying new, see where you can upcycle or repurpose someone else’s trash. Online resale marketplaces are treasure mines of reusable materials that can add a splash of something new to your bathroom.
Whether you’re looking to switch over to low-flow fixtures to minimise your water use, or even spruce up your bathroom look, opting for second-hand goods can do your pocket and the planet some good!
4. Put a pause on the power
Anything that uses heat requires significant power, so why not towel or air dry your hair, and cut back on using appliances like hairdryers, straighteners, or curlers. Your locks will thank you for the break too!
In a similar vein, air dry your towels to save the extra 30 minutes in the dryer.
5. Install a recycling bin
We all say we do it, and we all have the right intentions, but recycling can be easier said than done.
Convenience is everything, so by placing a recycling bin in your bathroom, you might find yourself making small adjustments with a big impact. If you’re not sold on switching from single-use plastics or aerosol cans, consider a dedicated recycling bin (once you’ve cleaned out and emptied the contents!) to put your empties into.
If you’re looking to make a few environmentally-friendly changes and take on a greener year, start with your bathroom and work your way up. Remember, change takes time and it only takes one step at a time.
Find out more about Melanie and No Pong.
This article was originally published on A Girl In Progress.
