Conducting a Personal Plastic Audit

If you know me personally, you would know that I am 100% against the use of plastic water bottles. Instead, every day I carry along side me my trusty Thermos Stainless Steel bottle. Not only is it a more eco-friendly option, but it maintains the temperature of my drink.  In fact, I am so persistent in removing the use of plastic water bottles that I have influenced my own family to make the shift as well. We no longer purchase water bottle packs. We now fill up our reusable water bottles with a water gallon dispenser.
The harsh reality is that plastic is used to package countless sorts of products besides water bottles. This is detrimental, as we should be trying to limit the presence of plastic in our lives. Thus, I have consequently decided to conduct my own personal plastic audit in an attempt to highlight the prominence of plastic in the life of an average person, such as myself, and to find opportunities in which the plastic in certain products can be replaced. This Plastic Audit will be updated as often as I find more plastic in my life.

Body Cleaning/ Shower Products:

- Body washes (such as the Method Foaming Body Wash shown on the left) often come in plastic bottles.
1. Remember that these plastic bottles can be recycled! Simply rinse out contents, ensuring to completely remove soap, and recycle into your recycling bin!
                                              OR
2. Decrease your use of plastic in this case by opting for soap bars! Soap bars save packaging and plastic! You can buy soap bars from anywhere, but be sure to be on the lookout for eco-friendly and non-animal tested soap bars, such as from The Honest Company and LUSH.

                                                             

  - Shampoos and Conditioners (such as the Burt's Bees Gud Conditioner)

  1. Just like body washes, these often come packaged in plastic. Be sure to  recycle after use.
                                                 OR
  2. Invest in a reusable container and fill this reusable container with a homemade shampoo or conditioner. Here are some links (of course you can research recipes that you find more pleasing):
http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-shampoo/
http://www.motherearthliving.com/natural-beauty/shimmer-and-shine-with-homemade-herbal-shampoos.aspx




Body Care Products:



- Lotions/Face Washes/ Moisturizers/Toners (such as the Vanilla Dee-Lite Lotion from LUSH pictured on the left)
1. Many products concerning face and skin care come packaged in plastic. BE CAREFUL, some of these containers are not always recyclable. Check the plastic number before cleaning and recycling these products.
                                                 OR
2. Invest in some reusable containers and make your own skin care products!
http://www.organicauthority.com/delicious-beauty/make-your-own-natural-lotion.html
http://www.healthychild.org/easy-steps/eco-friendly-diy-make-your-own-natural-face-masks-scrubs/
                                          (I would recommend also looking up additional recipes that best fit your
                                           liking)

Cleaning Products:

-Air Freshener
1. Rinse completely before placing into recycling bin.
                                                OR
2. Be more eco-friendly and opt for candles!

-Surface Cleaners/Window Cleaners/Multi-purpose Cleaners
1. Most are recyclable, so rinse completely prior to recycling.
                                                 OR
2. Make your own cleaning products with this amazing link:
http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2013/06/homemade-all-natural-cleaning-recipes.html