Week One
Chapstick is something that I use, a lot. I have a chapstick for pretty much every jacket pocket and every backpack compartment. My lips get chapped very easily and having something to keep them healthy and sooth that pain is important to me. I apply chapstick at least very hour, sometimes more frequently than that. Each tube lasts between two to four months, because I alternate between so many tubes it takes a while to get through each of them completely. I also tend to lose them due to how small they are. After I finish using a chapstick I’ll toss it into the recycling bin, even though I’m not sure if the type of plastic it’s made of can be recycled.
Despite the lack of any numbers on the tubes of chapstick that could signify the kind of plastic they are made from, after some research online it became apparent that they are most likely made from polypropylene. Also known as plastic number five, it is often used in the creation of yogurt cups, medicine bottles, ketchup bottles, and kitchenware. Polypropylene is a microwave-safe plastic because it is heat resistant and won’t warp in the microwave. This plastic is accepted by most curbside recycling programs. The most commonplace environmentally friendly alternative to plastic tubes is actually cardboard, however there are also chapstick container made out of wood. As someone who has always mainly focused on the cruelty-free aspect of my purchases, I never really noticed how much more there was to be aware of. After some research I came across Juniperseed Mercantile, a chapstick brand that is vegan, cruelty free, and environmentally friendly. The chapstick sold by Juniperseed Mercantile is three times the size of a normal tube and even the shipping materials are plastic free. I think once I finish and recycle my current chapsticks, I’ll be turning to greener alternatives.
Week Two
I use this CeraVe lotion every morning. My skin is incredibly dry, especially during winter, so sometimes I’ll end up using it twice a day. This particular brand of lotion doesn’t irritate my skin or leave behind an oily or greasy sheen, and it completely moisturizes my skin. My need for facial lotion is on par with my need for chapstick, I hate the feeling of dry skin and do everything I can to avoid it. I alternate between brands of lotion often, depending on recommendations from my friends and family. Although this is the first time I’ve used a CeraVe product, the bottle seems to contain a lot of lotion and isn’t a quarter of the way empty yet. I have had this bottle for maybe three weeks at this point. After using the bottle I plan on recycling it due to it’s plastic components.
When lifted, the bottle reveals a number four on its underside. Number four plastic is also called low-density polyethylene. This kind of plastic is used for the creation of containers, dispensing bottles, wash bottles, tubing, plastic bags for computer components, and various molded laboratory equipment. Low-density polyethylene is most commonly found in plastic bags. Although I assumed this plastic is recyclable, further research revealed low-density polyethylene isn’t accepted in curbside or other recycling programs. As far as packaging goes, I think the most environmentally friendly alternative to number four plastic is glass. Glass containers prevent leakage and are very sturdy, while at the same time are environmentally friendly and easily recyclable. During my research of environmentally friendly alternatives to lotion packaging, I found out that not all lotions are environmentally friendly themselves. It’s important to be conscious of the substances you are washing down the drain and into the sewer systems, and I have been neglecting that aspect of my purchase decisions. However, Cocokind is a brand of facial moisturizer with no more than five natural ingredients and mostly glass packaging. I will continue to investigate healthier lotion brands.
Week Three
After looking around my dorm and taking note of disposable plastic items I use during the week, I have found that the most prevalent plastic items I use are multi-use and last a very long time between purchase dates. Many of them are related to makeup and skincare due to the fact that those products are important to me. Much like the CeraVe lotion from my last post, this setting spray is something I use daily. This spray is used after makeup application to ensure that nothing smears or becomes too oily over the course of the day. I have had this particular bottle of setting spray for about four months now, and I expect to have it for at least another month before I need to buy another bottle. After I use up all of the contents of this bottle, I will recycle it.
The spray bottle of the bottle indicates that the plastic used in its creation is number seven plastic. Type seven plastic is composed of a multitude of plastics (such as acrylic, polycarbonate, polyactic fibers, nylon, and fiberglass) but is dangerous because it can contain Bisphenol A. BPA is a highly toxic plastic and its chemicals can leach from the container into the substance within. Number seven plastic is often used when making bottles, sports equipment, medical devices, CD’s, and technological parts. Although this plastic is often used for packaging food and drinks, it is unsafe to consume anything that has been in contact with it, especially if the container has been heated with the substance inside. This makes me unsure about my setting spray, something I put onto my face everyday. Does it contain BPA toxins? Number seven plastic is hard to recycle and most curbside recycling programs won’t accept it. Although I am really upset to discover the use of number seven plastic in something that I come into such close contact with, the Urban Decay setting spray formula is not something I have encountered with any other sprays and I am loathe to give it up. Although I can’t find any eco friendly packaging for setting spray, there are many setting powders in metal, glass, or wood packaging. I am not partial to setting powder right now, but I’m also not a huge fan of being poisoned, so I may be making a change.