POLLUTION

With new health and cleanliness standards there are more products being used than ever before. Many companies and manufacturers are trying to work harder to minimize the impact that these products are making. A new rush of sustainability practices and biodegradability are making way to a new green world. We have already seen this with paper straws and bamboo cutlery, but taking this change into the home is the biggest way we will be able to see change in our environments. 

This was a lot of information that may seem scary. I mean most of these products are necessities and it is hard to avoid using them. Even some environmental scientists  admit that they still use their favorite products with suspicious ingredients (Sheikh, 2023). The best thing to do is to gradually shift to safer products and healthier foods. Here are a few steps you can take to reduce your daily impact on the environment. 

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First, read the labels of the products that you are buying. Avoid purchasing products that contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment and your own personal health. The FDA had a list of chemicals that are either banned or that you should avoid for safety reasons. Here are some off of that list that you should be aware of, but I recommend doing further research. Diethanolamine (DEA), formaldehydes, and isobutane are some of the chemicals that should cause you to put the product down that you are thinking about purchasing. 

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Second, use less! The most prominent issue when it comes to pollution it not always exactly what you are using, but how much of it you are using. Consumption and accumulation are ultimately the most detrimental factors to our environment. Consider using less water and being in the shower for less time. Also consider simplifying your routine to just the core products or versatile products. For example I own a lipstick that also doubles as a blush so I do not need to purchase both products. 

Third, ask yourself these questions to help you decide which products to eliminate out of your routine. These questions come from the sustainability project which I will link below if you would like to read the whole article. 

1. What is the purpose of this product?

2. Does this product serve its purpose well?

3. How often do I use this product? Will I be able to finish it before the expiration date?

Personal Care Products come in a vide variety of things that we use in our daily lives. While it may seem hard to take care of the environment just by ourselves, these simple steps can actually make such a big difference in the world. The goal is to just start. You do not have to throw away everything you own now, but make small gradual changes in order to get the process started. If we all begin this way, our environment will thank us.