So, your shampoo bottle just finished? What are you planning to do with it? I know you’ll toss it in the bin and you’re done with it. I wish I had the right to arrest you. Honestly, it’s not a joke. Humans fail to understand the harm we induce on nature through our careless attitude. That’s not how it should be. Global warming is something that we should not ignore. Beauty is an important aspect but we need to aim towards a sustainable existence. We should ensure that our cosmetic routine does not harm the real beauty that is nature. And in winters, it’s even more visible.
Some Facts to Ponder
The scale of harm that we subconsciously cause cannot be measured. There is already too much going around us. According to research by the leading cosmetic brand Garnier, 56% of Britishers don’t feel the need to recycle the bathroom products. As you would’ve guessed, ‘tossing in the bin’ routine is pretty popular. Surely, it deserves the praise!! Hang on! Let me entertain you with some more facts. The cosmetic industry produces over 120 billion packaging units every year. A large part of this waste consists of plastic and you already know how good plastic is for the environment. With random waste littered everywhere, preventing environmental hazards becomes a problem. Well, there is always a solution. Let me tell you how you should recycle.
Find a Recycling Spot
Every place has its own set of rules that decide what you can recycle and what you cannot. You should check that from the local government. There might be certain restrictions. So, you’ll have to make sure that everything falls in place. Also, do some research and find a market that accepts products to recycle. You’ll probably have to interact with the responsible authority and dump your waste at a designated spot. These are eventually sold to companies that do the actual recycling.
Check the Labels Carefully
The product labels can tell you a lot about the potential to recycle. If you have paper or cardboard boxes that’s a sure sign that they are recyclable. There won’t be much problem with it. Well, to be sure about it, look for a triangular icon on the package you’re planning to recycle. You’ll notice it the arrows. I’m sure you have seen that before. It’s not hard to notice. If you’re not sure what’s that called, it’s the Mobius Loop. Sounds fancy but it’s pretty useful. Also, there are certain clues that you need to keep an eye on. I’m talking about the numbers. If the container is made of plastic, it probably has a number mentioned at the bottom. Experts say that 1 or 2 denote it’s recyclable plastic. Number 3 means PVC and it’s hard to recycle. So, pay attention to the labels before you decide to recycle. Also, pay attention to the material because that’s important.
Plastic Bottles
After you’ve gone through the labels, you need to figure out what products you want to recycle. Well, most plastic bottles are fit for the recycling industries. These include shampoos, skin lotions, hand wash, and conditioners. Well, before you decide to recycle make sure you clean and empty them completely. Also, don’t remove the lid and don’t dump it until it’s finished. For instance, if you have some shampoo left in the bottle, do not squeeze it out in the sink. Instead, finish it and then pack your bin for recycling.
Aerosols and Cellophane
The most common aerosols include the deodorants and hair sprays in your stock. These can simply be used and kept as a collection. Ideally, you can take the empty can and flash some catchy paint to reuse it as a decorative at your home. Make sure the cans are empty before you decide to reuse them. Well, it’s a different story with cellophane. Most of your new beauty products come wrapped in the cellophane sheet. Sadly, these cannot be recycled and you’ll have to dump them.
Glass Jars
These are pretty easy to recycle. Just make sure they are emptied and you wash it with hot water to remove any traces of chemicals. Once you do that, you can use it as a decorative or keep it as a portable bottle to store your shampoo. Honestly, there is a lot you can do. It just depends on you what you’re aiming for. If you want to hand it over to a recycling program that’s pretty good too.
It’s not just limited to that, a lot of brands run their own recycling programs. For example, leading cosmetic brand Kiehl offers a free sample for every 10 products you return to the company. Similarly, MAC runs a back to MAC scheme where you get a free lipstick for every 6 packages you return to the company. So, plenty of companies are stepping into the recycling game. It’s high time that you should be considering the same. Pamper yourself this winter with some concern about the environment too.