Bottle Free!

I got to open a new shampoo bar today and it got me thinking about how things have changed in the last 3 years since I made a discovery about solid beauty products in our local pharmacy. This follows on nicely from my post the other day about the War on Plastic and has got me thinking even more about the changes we are making in the bathroom.

About three years ago I had gone into town to do some errands. While I was waiting to collect some repeat prescriptions I perused the pharmacy shelves and found myself wondering (and worrying!) about the myriad of things there and all of the packaging and where it will end up.  As I wandered I came across some colourful boxes at the end of some shelves and to my delight discovered a range of products that really appealed. Their catch phrase is #Giveupthebottle and that immediately caught my eye. It turned out to be a local company called Ethique that produces beauty products in solid form that is packaged in compostable boxes and made with natural products. They had shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, face creams and scrubs, soaps and foot care products. They had delicious smells and the idea of them really appealed.

The price was reasonable - not cheap compared to buying a bottle of shampoo at the local supermarket - however I liked that it was a New Zealand company and it showed that we can have products that bypass the need to have plastic packaging and opens the possibility for other ideas! I bought myself some Gingersnap face scrub cubes that use sugar granules as the exfoliant and felt quite pleased with my purchase at the time. I have used these since and have moved onto buying other products such as the solid shampoo and body washes. I have given them as gifts and my eldest daughter, who is an environmental warrior, has enjoyed using them.

Since that time, and the success of this local company, there has been  groundswell of companies producing solid form products in cardboard packaging to bypass plastic bottles. I admit I have tried other companies products such as the Ahhh... cosmetic company solid shampoo which is available at my local supermarket. We have also got Solid Oral Care toothpaste and refillable dental floss from in a glass jar from DoGooder- both of which our daughter tracked down and gave us for Christmas.  

The money spent on these items gives me more than just the product I take home with me. It gives me the feeling I am supporting local businesses, the sense of new discoveries eve continue to reduce the disposable plastic in my families life! Have you ever tried any products like this? Do it! It will benefit you and the world no end and I am sure that it is more cost effective than I initially thought! #Giveupthebottle!!

Note - I have no affiliation with any of these companies. I just think they are producing great products!