Written by: Jackie Edwards
Traveling light is always a priority. But often this leads to purchasing duplicate products in travel size. While convenient, this drastically increases the amount of waste you generate. However, according to The Make-Up Institute there’s been an increase in eco-consciousness in the beauty product market. As consumers, we should take advantage of products that have sustainability in mind and change our travel habits for the better. Here’s how.
Readjust your old habits
If you’ve not traveled in some time, you may have forgotten the habits you picked up while traveling. Have you ever bought a travel-sized product, used it for your trip and then forgotten about it when you came home? Only to find it again a year after its expiration date, leaving you no choice but to toss it? Don’t worry; everyone has done it. There’s no shame in it but you can learn from your mistakes and break bad habits.
Make use of what's available
The number one sustainability tip is to use what you already have. It’s easy to get excited by a zero-waste lifestyle and jump to buying a whole new routine. However, this will cause you to forget about your unused products and not use them in their entirety. If you have a product that you are using at home but it's in a large plastic packaging unfit for traveling, you can always decant it into a smaller container. It would be best to buy travel containers that don’t utilise plastic, like a small glass jar.
Utilise a wide range of options
Zero-waste or eco-friendly packaging has become an extremely popular option in the beauty community. There are many brands offering a zero-waste option with travel-size containers galore to choose from. There really is no excuse anymore! Another option to consider and that’s proven to be a popular choice is multi-purpose products that are great for travel. The fewer items you have to pack, the less space you need. You’ll find body wash that doubles up as shampoo, two in one shampoo and conditioner, sunscreen with a tint that doubles as a light foundation and a myriad of other useful beauty products that have dual or more purposes.
Waste-free is the way to go
Have you ever heard the saying “you’re paying for the packaging” and felt immensely frustrated? Well, it’s true. Companies tend to spend 10-40% of the retail price on packaging. If you’re traveling, you don’t need fancy packaging and you certainly don’t need anything that comes with extra waste. So, why not go the cost-effective route and save the environment while you’re at it!
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About the Author
Jackie Edwards is a bit of an eco-spod and loves finding out about the latest green beauty products and environmentally savvy ways to look at skincare. In her former life, she worked in Environmental Health but now works as a freelancer. Jackie is a passionate advocate of self care and volunteers at various mental health charities.
Feature image by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels