Did you know that the average European produces 31 kilos of plastic waste every year? No less than 93% of this is single-use plastic: plastic that immediately ends up in the trash after use. Consider, for example, the containers that must keep your strawberries and grapes beautiful. Of all the plastic we use every day, we throw away 50% after just 20 minutes. Shocking, right?
That has to be better! They also think that May is plastic-free . The challenge? Drastically reduce your plastic use for a month. Will you participate? I certainly do!
Don't know where to start? These tips will help you on your way!
Drink tap water
Do you still buy bottled water? Then switch to tap water this month. That is certainly no worse than bottled water, good for the environment and kind to your wallet! Give it a try.
Tips: do you have critical housemates who claim that tap water is less tasty? Then fill a glass bottle with tap water and store in the refrigerator. Bet no one can taste a difference anymore?
Away with microbeads!
You've probably heard of microbeads: tiny plastic particles in cosmetic products that 'clean' your teeth, face or body. The big problem? The particles are so small that they slip through water treatment systems and end up in our waterways (and in the stomachs of fish). So they inevitably end up on your plate. Choose cosmetics without microbeads. SELF is 100% natural – no plastic particles included! – and you can therefore apply it with a clear conscience. We are very proud of the zero waste logo we received from 'Beat The Microbeads', an organization that is committed to combating plastic pollution.
Tip: Do the bathroom check. Check the ingredients list of all your care products. Do you see polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or polymethyl methacrylate listed? Get rid of it!
Avoid disposable
A cucumber in a plastic jacket, a plastic bag at the checkout, individually wrapped cookies... It's crazy how much plastic ends up in our shopping cart. Of course, everything starts with what YOU choose. The next time you go to the supermarket, try to consciously look for a plastic-free alternative. Do you think you'll succeed?
Recycleer
Banning plastic completely is not possible. After a lot of research, we also opted for pots made from healthy plastic for our products. Recycling plastic still requires less water than glass recycling. Our packaging contains polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PE is a plastic that does not burden the environment heavily. Both substances are approved for cosmetics and food and contain no traces of phthalates or softeners. This means you can be sure that no harmful substances end up in the product! But of course we also count on you to recycle your used plastics correctly. Our vials can be placed in the PMD bag. So don't forget! Since last year, many municipalities have allowed all plastic packaging to go in 'the new blue bag'. Wondering whether your municipality is already on board? You will discover it here.
Reuse
Give plastic a second life instead of throwing it away mercilessly. Bring your old stuff to the thrift store or let your creativity run wild and make something beautiful out of it! Many SELF lovers use their empty jars to store jewelry, as a 'tooth box' for their offspring... You can read more about it in this blog.
Do you have more tips to reduce your plastic consumption? Did you start working with empty packaging? Let me know! Collaboration works!
love,
Team SELF
