According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), humans produce about 300 million tons of plastic annually. Nearly 80% consists of marine debris for approximately 14 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans.
Plastic takes hundreds of years to degrade and break down into smaller fragments known as microplastics. Marine life is being affected by the plastic particles as they accidentally strangle either into bigger plastics or ingest microplastics, causing them to end in our food chain.
Improper discard of plastics by humans has led to significant harm to oceans and the environment. The only solution is to dispose of it properly or find replacements.
Many bathroom products add up to plastic pollution. You can easily make some changes to your bathroom and reduce the use of plastic. Here’s a list of a few alternatives to create a plastic-free bathroom.
Bamboo Toothbrush
Bamboo is an excellent alternative to plastic and beneficial for the environment as it produces more oxygen than plants. Several plastic toothbrushes become a part of landfills every year in America, making about 50 million pounds. Replace your traditional toothbrush with the green alternative of a toothbrush made of sustainable bamboo that lasts longer and is an eco-friendly choice.
Organic Bath Products
Many skin and bath care producing companies use microbeads in their products for cleaning and scrubbing the skin. These beads are microplastics that enter the sewage system, eventually flowing into the sea, endangering marine life. Choose wisely and invest in organic products for bathing and skincare as no plastic is used to produce them; they are natural, harmless, and eco-friendly.
Dry Shampoo Bars
Since shampoos come in plastic packaging, another way to cut plastic from your bathroom is to use shampoo bars. Many local businesses produce dry shampoo bars with plastic-free packaging for a sustainable option that lasts up to 50 hair washes. To get the most out of using a shampoo bar, try getting a rust-resistant container like stainless steel or bamboo that will also keep the bar clean without wasting extra.
Loofah
Another necessary change you can make to create a plastic-free bathroom is by replacing a sea sponge or plastic loofah. You can grow organic loofah in your garden. Natural loofahs are more rough, strong, and abrasive; they are of practical use for scrubbing and cleaning. Moreover, if you take good care of them, loofahs can last for around 6 months.
Plastic pollution is the leading cause of marine pollution and has adverse effects on humans and wildlife. Scientists estimate that about 5 trillion plastic pieces are a part of our oceans, an amount that can circle the Earth approximately 400 times.
Small steps to bring change in our lifestyle can lead to more prominent solutions. Finding replacements and alternatives for plastic in your bathroom can reduce waste and help save the environment.
