We’re All About Sustainable Makeup
In recent years, there has been an organic shift in the beauty industry towards embracing sustainability and eco-consciousness. As we become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of our purchases, there’s a growing demand for beauty products that not only enhance our appearance but also minimise our harm to the planet.
This shift has given rise to the concept of sustainable beauty, which encompasses practices aimed at reducing waste, conserving resources, and promoting ethical production. One of the pillars of sustainable beauty is the use of certified organic, natural, and refillable makeup, often packaged in eco-friendly materials such as bamboo.
Certified organic makeup
is crafted from ingredients that are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers, ensuring that they are free from harmful chemicals and are environmentally friendly. Natural makeup takes this a step further by utilising plant-based ingredients that are gentle on the skin and biodegradable, reducing the accumulation of toxins in our waterways and soil.
Refillable makeup
another cornerstone of sustainable beauty, offers a solution to the problem of single-use packaging. Instead of disposing of empty containers after use, refillable makeup allows you to replenish your favourite products with minimal waste. By investing in refillable options, we not only reduce our carbon footprint but also save money in the long run.
Bamboo packaging
has emerged as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic containers. Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource that requires minimal water and no pesticides to grow, making it an environmentally friendly choice for packaging materials. Additionally, bamboo is biodegradable, meaning it can decompose naturally without causing harm to the environment. The significance of choosing eco-friendly beauty products extends beyond personal health and well-being.
By opting for certified organic, natural, and refillable makeup in bamboo packaging, we can contribute to the preservation of our planet’s delicate ecosystems. Every purchase is an opportunity to support brands like zao essence of nature, who prioritise sustainability and promote positive change in the beauty industry.
How can I live more consciously?
Living more consciously can mean different things to different people. But here are some general strategies we can all use to become more aware and present in our daily lives:
- Practice mindfulness: This can involve setting aside a little time each day for quiet reflection and paying attention to our thoughts and feelings in the present moment. Pay attention to the way you are feeling, and try to identify any negative thoughts or beliefs that may be holding you back. Try to be mindful of your impact on our natural environment and how you can minimise or improve on it.
- Practice gratitude: Make a habit of regularly expressing gratitude for the good things in your life, both big and small.
- Prioritise your physical and mental health: Take care of your body and mind by doing some form of breath practice, hydrating, getting regular exercise and stretching, eating well, and getting enough sleep.
- Connect with others: Spend time with the people you care about, and try to build strong, supportive relationships.
- Take time for yourself: Set aside time each day for activities that bring you joy and help you relax, such as reading, writing, or doing a hobby.
We believe living more consciously involves being more present in the moment and taking the time to reflect on our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It may take some effort and practice to develop these habits, but they can help us to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
The Art of Conscious Living
When Maslow first created his Hierarchy of Needs, he outlined the tiny tip of Self Actualization at the top. Unfortunately, we need to get more people to be aware of our impact on our planet. We, as a species, continue to produce and consume at a rate that is unsustainable to the long-term preservation of our earth.
By becoming more conscious of our impact on our environment, reducing our consumption levels, and strongly encouraging businesses to change the way they currently operate, we can start to undo some of the damage we are now doing.
Conscious Living Starts at Home
Take a good look at your surroundings! What can you do without or donate or recycle to someone who can use it more than you do.
During the Covid-19 hard lockdowns, neighbours shared tools, gadgets, kitchen appliances, supplies, etc., as they could not get to the shops.
Facebook Marketplace became the place to buy and sell second-hand furniture, goods, and appliances.
If you need something specific, does it matter if you get it second-hand? Or if you don’t currently use something in your home, can someone else make better use of it.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
The first step in becoming more aware of our impact on the environment is to see what we throw away. You can eliminate basic things like buying bottled water if you have a reusable water or juice bottle handy. Instantly, you’ll minimise the plastic reaching our oceans. Installing a water filtering system in your home ensures you have clean and fresh water on tap to refill your bottles. Eliminate plastic bags and replace them with reusable bags when you go grocery shopping. Confidently deny the plastic coffee cup and plastic straw by bringing your own. Reusable mugs are super versatile for hot and cold drinks and often you get a discount for bringing your own.
Energy and Water Consumption
Do a detailed assessment of your home. What are you spending on electricity each month? Did you know that by changing up some minor aspects of your home, you can reduce that radically? Energy-saving light bulbs, sensors on your lights, which switch off when you leave the room, and energy-efficient appliances can all make a difference.
Water is fast becoming a very scarce resource. You can implement a water capturing system in your garden. Installing or converting gutters so that the water runoff lands up in a Jojo tank can water your garden for months from the seasonal rainfall. Live in an apartment? Get the community involved and do the same.
Only when you make conscious decisions about your consumption habits will you start to see a difference in your shopping habits. Vote with your wallet, and support sustainable businesses with a conscious conscience.
Recycling is not a sustainable solution.
Buying bottled water every day because the manufacturer tells you it is made from recycled plastic and recycled after use is just not good enough.
The abundance of plastic landing up in the oceans and landfills is more than our planet can withstand.
The option to recycle, is last on the REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE list for a reason. Not everything can and will be recycled! As a collective we have to reduce consumption first and foremost.
Plastic, glass, and paper are categorised into what can and cannot be recycled, here is a short breakdown to help you sort your waste:
Glass:
YES – Glass bottles, wine bottles, jam jars, sauce and spice bottles and plain drinking glasses
NO – Cups and saucers, ovenware, ceramics, mirror glass, fluorescent tubes, light bulbs, windscreens, car lights, window panes.
Cans:
YES: Beverage cans, food cans, aerosol cans and paint cans
Paper and Cardboard:
YES: Office paper, cardboard, newspapers, magazines, books, long-life cartons
NO: Plasticized or laminated paper, photographs, wax, greaseproof paper, carbon paper, adhesive tape, tissues, and serviettes.
Plastic:
YES: Cooldrink and water bottles, cleaning product bottles, milk bottles, yogurt pots, margarine and ice cream tubs, soft plastic bags, bubble wrap, cling wrap, crackly shopping bags, chunky polystyrene, plastic garden chairs, buckets, and flowerpots.
NO: Black plastic bags, black ridged trays, white polystyrene trays, containers, cups, plastic trays made from PET, plastic contaminated with oil, glue, or paint, chip packets and many biscuit wrappers.
Other items:
YES: Used printer cartridges, large batteries, e.g. those from gate motors, alarm systems, aluminium foil, e.g. pie plates, some yoghurt seals, foil food wrap, used cooking oil for manufacturing bio fuel, old X-Rays.
NO: Cassette and video tapes, domestic batteries such as torch batteries, rubber, vinyl, items made from mixed plastics and/or other materials, e.g. toothbrushes, pens, some toys.
As a consumer, look for the number on the container. Almost all recycling centres accept plastics #1 #2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and some #7’s. The containers that your fruit or favourite on-the-go sandwich comes in, is not currently recyclable in South Africa. Rather opt to buy your fruit unpackaged and put it in a reusable bag.
There is also a sustainable trend towards refillable shopping in SA. Some Spar stores have a liquid refill outside their stores where you can refill essentials like dishwashing liquid, cream cleaner and fabric softener. Just take your container and only pay for what you dispense. If you haven’t tried one, pack a few jars and reusable bags in and head over to experience a truly waste free shopping experience.
For more information visit www.plasticrecyclingsa.co.za
For a map of recycling locations visit Recycling and waste sites | Glass Paper Plastic Garden Rubble Refuse (sst.org.za)
3 Easy Steps To Become a More Conscious Consumer
Convenience is often the downfall of our decisions. It is far easier to buy that unhealthy take-out from the drive-thru than prepare a healthy meal at home. The same applies to making decisions about our consumption habits.
Every choice we make impacts our planet. Choices that impact animals, plant life, and of course, the dreaded landfills.
We have outlined some simple steps you can take to make yourself more aware of the impact of your choices.
1. Water consumption and wastage
Do you leave the tap running while you brush your teeth? Run a long bath when a quick shower will do? The Day Zero drama that Cape Town experienced not too long ago was one of the most significant impacts on the province. Hotels removed bath plugs from hotel bathrooms, and they placed buckets in the showers to catch water for cleaning and flushing toilets.
Being more aware of how you water your garden at home, planting water-saving plants and shrubbery, and even getting a pool cover to limit evaporation in summer can all significantly impact your household spend and wastage of water.
2. Being a conscious shopper
By doing a little bit of research, you’ll understand what it takes to produce the food we eat. Not only do some plants take an excess of water to grow (take avocado’s for instance), but when we selfishly want to have those Avo’s out of season, we increase the carbon footprint by importing them from seasonal countries.
When we choose to shop local, shop fresh, and shop seasonally, the change is enormous. As creatures of habit, humans like to consume the same thing. So by opening up your world to seasonal foods, spices, and herbs, you can expand your pallet and try new things. Removing your expectation to buy products that are not available or in season will reduce the demand. When we stop buying the products, retailers will stop buying them.
3. Buy second hand and recycled goods
Facebook marketplace, gumtree and other online stores are the best invention for saving on our intense desire to own things. Ideally, we can reduce our consumption by buying less. Alternatively, pop onto the second-hand circuit and find what you are looking for at a fraction of the price.
With the volume of people downsizing and emigrating, finding great products online that are in excellent condition but second-hand is the perfect way to reduce consumption.
In summary, the concept of reduce, reuse and then recycle can come into play with every decision we make. All of these options will reduce our overall impact on the environment. Before you whip out your wallet, first take a moment to ask yourself if you need it, if you can find it closer, cheaper, or second-hand.
