Is Your Bathroom Polluting Our Oceans?
Makes you really wonder when we make such a strong statement, right? But really, have you ever stopped and thought why do they keep saying that we are responsible for polluting the oceans? You are not even throwing garbage in the rivers, seas, and oceans. Then how do you become responsible for it?
Source:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/beauty-personal-care-industry-plastic
The beauty and personal care industry, at large, will always tell you how a bodywash is going to help your skin feel more moisturised, how a hair conditioner means nourished hair, and also why a sunscreen is so important even when you’re indoors. But, what they won’t tell you is that these products, unless specifically mentioned otherwise, contain components of the top 3 ingredients that are slowly destroying our oceans everyday. According to Future
Agenda, by 2050 our oceans will have more plastic than fish, and a large part of this will be caused by urban sewage that is either washed off or deliberately dumped into the water bodies. Everytime you shower, cleanse your face, or even wash off your makeup, you’re dumping some more toxins into the oceans. How, you ask? The water from your bathroom hits the drains which are connected to canals or rivers which ultimately connect with the seas or the oceans.
So, what can you do to SOS (save our seas, and oceans!)? Let’s keep it simple so that you can simply do it everyday.
#1 Make knowledge your best friend
Understand the ingredients, the processes, and the problems. Waste water hitting the oceans is a problem but it isn’t the biggest problem. Untreated waste water full of toxins is the larger issue. Some waste is compostable in soil, some is soluble and harmless in water. This waste is good waste. To avoid generating bad waste look out for ingredients like parabens, microplastic beads and Oxybenzon in your sunscreens and shampoos, and say a forever bye-bye in case they belong in your bathroom and vanity.
Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/environment/for-the-first-time-study-confirms-presence-of-microplastics-in-indian-cosmetics-60365
Source: https://montereybayaquarium.tumblr.com/post/150321244203/how-much-plastic-is-in-our-seafood-is-there
#2 Give your bathroom an ecological facelift
By that, we don’t mean add plants and succulents. Go ahead and do it if you please but more importantly check what your cleansers, soaps, and other products contain. If they reflect any toxic chemicals that end up in the oceans, you are contributing to destroying them. Switching to vegan beauty and personal care is generally a safe bet as they are made of natural ingredients that release treatable, compostable or recyclable waste.
Source: https://www.cuteness.com/13723624/15-dogs-practicing-self-care
#3 Solve the packaging problem
If your brand is not transparent about what they are doing with their packaging, know that it is a problem. The beauty and personal care industry depends heavily on packaging. Even “eco-friendly” packaging sometimes consists of microbeads of plastic that are not visibly identifiable. Unless the brand takes their empties back or leaves you with a waste management solution, refuse to accept products in packages that are going to end up in the oceans. Pick naked products or refillables instead. That way, the brands too will be forced to alter their processes.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CPL3SU1pCj-/
As a consumer, consuming consciously is your biggest right and your superpower. You consume several products on a daily basis and ignoring what is in them is the biggest environmental mistake you’re making. Being aware of the ingredients you are consuming will not only make you a conscious consumer but also save your body from harmful and toxic chemicals and the environment of the waste these chemicals generate. Use your superpower to protect the oceans and the planet!
Source: http://gifsoutloud.com/is-your-brand-using-your-audio-superpower/
June is a big month for global environmental conversation with the World Environment Day(June 5) and World Oceans Day (June 8) just around the corner. But we, as a brand, celebrate it every single day, and as a consumer and as an earthling, you should too!
