consumers become increasingly aware of the pollution and waste caused by single-use products, items such as plastic straws, water bottles and disposable coffee cups have become maligned. But what about our beauty routines?
A quick glance in your bathroom cabinet or make-up bag is sure to throw up a whole host of products, which are single-use, packaged in plastic, and just as likely to end up in landfill.
It is estimated that there is more than 150 million tonnes of plastic waste polluting the world’s oceans with an additional 13 million tonnes being dumped each year.
Scientists estimate by 2050 there could be more plastic, by weight, than fish in our seas.
The government is taking steps to improve this: a manufacturing ban on microbeads – tiny balls of plastic used in body scrubs, toothpaste and facial exfoliators – was introduced in 2018. But there is more to do.
So how can you make your beauty routine more sustainable in 2020? The Independent rounds up five simple beauty resolutions you can make this year to help you become a more conscientious consumer.
Ditch cotton pads and face wipes for reusable and biodegradable versions
Removing your make-up is arguably one of the most time-consuming and, let’s face it, annoying parts of a beauty routine.
When you get home from a long day at work or a heavy night out, the last thing you want to do is perform a full-on skincare routine. In this scenario, many of us turn to face wipes, which boast the ability to remove make-up and partially cleanse our faces in seconds.
But while they might be insanely convenient, the damage face wipes are inflicting on the environment is vast.
