You might already be taking steps to reduce the waste your household produces… But there are those few areas where waste just seems to be unavoidable. The truth is, you probably just haven’t been exposed to the alternatives. Dental care can be one of those high waste areas, so let’s tackle it right now!
Consider all the toothbrushes, tubes of toothpaste, and containers of floss that a single person throws out every year – including the plastic packaging that these products come in. Then scale it up to the amount of people living in your country and you quickly realize that dental care is a significant contributor to our global waste problem.
The good news is: the solutions are here, and they are readily available! Below are easy to implement alternatives that will drastically reduce the waste footprint of your oral care routine.
The Problem With Conventional Toothpaste
Regular toothpaste tubes contain a mix of plastics and aluminum, which makes them unsuitable for recycling. Thankfully, dental care companies are starting to feel the push from consumers asking for more sustainable alternatives. In response, Colgate rolled out a new recyclable toothpaste tube in early 2020. The tube has been under development for years and is available through Colgate’s new Smile For Good toothpaste. The paste itself contains fewer ingredients than most conventional toothpastes and is certified vegan.
Problem solved? Not completely… Current recycling technologies generally depend on a stream of relatively clean plastic. So for the empty tube to actually stay out of a landfill, you will have to cut it open and clean out any residual toothpaste. Even so, the tube can get pulled out from the recycling stream by unknowing workers who mistake it for a regular, unrecyclable tube.
Crushing It Sustainably
A low-waste alternative is toothpaste tablets. These are dry pills that are crushed in between your teeth and turn into a foamy toothpaste in your mouth. Several different brands of toothpaste tablets are available on the market, including Crush & Brush which come in glass containers, disclose all their ingredients and are cruelty-free. The tablets are particularly useful for traveling: Conventional travel-sized toothpaste tubes are extremely wasteful and their regular-sized equivalents are usually not allowed in carry-on luggage on flights. The solid tablets, on the other hand, do not raise issues with airport security.
Make Your Own!
If you prefer to get creative and want to be in charge of selecting your toothpaste ingredients yourself, you can also mix your own toothpaste at home. However, be sure to run the ingredients by your dentist and use care to avoid harsh or overly abrasive materials.
Since the beneficial effects of brushing your teeth depend much more on your toothbrush and on proper brushing technique rather than on your toothpaste composition, you can get away with very simplistic toothpaste recipes. Here are a few ingredients to consider:
Coconut oil naturally has antimicrobial properties and can form a great base for your toothpaste
Baking soda combats the acidity in cavities and can act as a mild abrasive for removing scale
Spices are an easy and safe way to add flavor to your toothpaste
Do not add fluoride to your homemade toothpaste since it has to be very carefully dosed to avoid adverse effects.
Zero Waste Floss
Floss is a frustrating item based on the ratio of packaging to the amount of actual product. Luckily, there are some zero waste floss brands commercially available. Be aware though, that most of them are based on silk – which is produced by boiling silkworms alive. Among the few silk-free options are FLOSSPOT Gold (available in Canada and the US) as well as the bamboo floss by Earth’s Tribe (available in Australia).
Some people also recommend using an oral irrigator such as a WaterPik as a way to reduce your need for synthetic floss. However, I would advise to use caution. While oral irrigators have other beneficial effects for dental health, they do not serve as a full replacement for regular flossing.
Biodegradable Toothbrushes
Toothbrushes are another source of plastic commonly accepted as a necessary evil. That is far from correct since there is a large variety of biodegradable, safe and hygienic toothbrushes commercially available. I personally use and can recommend Lavish Essential’s bamboo & charcoal toothbrushes.
Be Resourceful
From interdental brushes with bamboo handles to recipes for homemade mouthwash, the internet is full of low waste alternatives to commonly used products. Most of them are very easy to implement in your daily routine – others may require a little bit of adjustment. But with the amount of options available, there are no excuses not to make waste-smart choices when it comes to dental care. The cumulative effect over a lifetime is well worth the switch.
Welcome Ellie!
Ellie Auras is a sustainability coach and waste reduction, advocate. She writes about all topics related to the sustainable lifestyle and businesses on her blog Greensplained.com. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on everything Green.
Are you curious about essential oils? If so, this is a great place to be! As an avid user of essential oils, I have been amazed by how practicing aromatherapy with oils has been able to calm and balance me at times when nothing else seemed to work. I love to diffuse essential oils and experiment with blending different oil tinctures. I will give you a little background on the history of essential oils along with a few tips about using essential oils for beginners and some recipes too!
History of Essential Oils
Although essential oils have been used for thousands of years, the first recorded use of oils goes as far back as the 11th century, where aromatic and medicinal oils and ointments were sold and traded across India, Persia, and Egypt and then later migrated into Greece and Rome.
Essential oils, typically named for the plant they are derived from, are extracted from the flowers, leaves, woods, and roots of fragrant and healing plants like mint and lavender. Oils can be harvested by several different methods, but the most common method of obtaining essential oils uses a distillation process to sort-of “milk” the pure oils from the glands of the plants.
Uses for Essential Oils
Essential oils are used in 3 ways:
As fragrance in cosmetics, perfumes, soaps, cleaners and detergents, and other industrial products
As flavoring in baked items, candy, meat, soft drinks, and other food and drink items
As pharmaceuticals for aromatherapy, also in some dental products and medicines
Oils for Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the practice of using our sense of smell, in this case with essential oils, to promote physical and emotional health and wellness. Dispersing oils into the air with a diffuser for inhalation, mixing a tincture for topical application in a massage oil or roller bottle, or adding several drops of essential oils to your bath water are all wonderful ways to implement aromatherapy with oils.
Essential oils are great for aromatherapy because the different fragrances stimulate the olfactory nerve in your brain. Have you ever gotten a whiff of a familiar fragrance and all of the sudden a memory or feeling you had forgotten about comes flooding back? This is because the olfactory nerve is part of the limbic system which controls memory, learning, and emotion.
Diffuser Blends
Here are a few of my favorite blends for diffusing oils at home. Just add water to your diffuser’s fill line then add pure essential oils!
When blending oils for topical application on the skin either in a roller bottle or in a massage lotion, you should use a carrier oil. Carrier oils are used to dilute pure essential oils and reduce allergic skin reactions, sensitization, and phototoxicity. They also do not evaporate easily so they stay on skin longer and allow for more absorption. Carrier oils are usually un- or lightly scented so as not to distract or change the scent you are blending. Rosehip, coconut, almond, and jojoba oils are common carrier oils, but there are several others you may use depending on your personal preference.
Dilution
The standard dilution rate varies for babies, children, and adults. A 1% dilution is recommended for children over the age of two, while a range of 2-3% dilution is suitable for use in children 2-10 and adults. This is because children have thinner, more porous skin. A good guideline to follow is to use one drop of essential oil for each teaspoon of carrier oil. When using essential oils on infants under 2 years old, I use a 0.10%-0.20% dilution rate. This figures to approximately 1-2 drops of essential oil per 1 oz (6 tsp.) Here is a great resource for best practices for using essential oils on babies and children from Nourishing Joy.
My Favorite Essential Oil Blend Recipes
I use almond or coconut oil as a carrier oil, but you may have another that you prefer. All recipes below are for blending approx. 4% dilution in a 10 oz roller bottle. (These blends can be used in a diffuser as well!)
2 tsp carrier oil 2 drops Lavender 2 drops Clary Sage 1 drop Ylang-ylang 1 drop Bergamot
(See Pin-able version at the bottom of post!)
Other Oil Remedies
Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways to enrich your life, health, and well-being. For instance, did you know lavender oil is great for dabbing on bug bites to relieve itching and swelling? Or that applying a dab of peppermint oil on each temple can relieve a headache? These and other common oil remedies can be a great alternative to pharmaceutical “fixes” which sometimes come along with a list of terrifying side effects.
DO Try This at Home!
Here are a few quick tips for you beginners:
*Some oils can be used “neat” (meaning they are safe to be applied onto the skin without a carrier oil) and some cannot.
*Test on a small area of skin for allergies
*Use only PURE essential oils
*Heed blending recommendations, especially when mixing oils for use on babies and children.
I encourage you to expand your knowledge of essential oils and have fun experimenting with your own blends!
Try the Simply Earth Essential Oils Box!
I just received my Simply Earth April Box and it is FULL of great stuff! The box contained 6 essential oil recipes for mixing and diffusing, several roller and tincture bottles, and coconut and almond oils. I love that this box has everything I need to mix the 6 included recipes and even came with pre-printed labels too!
Save $50 on Simply Earth with coupon code: AMANDAC5016
Still curious about essential oils? Check out these great essential oil resources and books for beginners!
DISCLAIMER: I am no expert!
Use caution when mixing oils, especially for use on children. Follow the recommended blending ratios. You may experience irritation, rash or allergies if used improperly.
Please consult a health professional if you experience any adverse side effects.
ANOTHER GUEST BLOG POST COMING NEXT WEEK! STAY TUNED FOR SUSTAINABLE ORAL CARE WITH ELLIE FROM GREENSPLAINED!
Ellie Auras is a sustainability coach and waste reduction, advocate. She writes about all topics related to the sustainable lifestyle and businesses on her blog Greensplained.com. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on everything Green.
Beach vacations and travel may not be an option with social distancing, but we can still get outside and get some fresh air and vitamin D. Regular sun exposure is the simplest and most natural way to get vitamin D. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin D for an adult is 800-1000 IU. Doctors recommend a diet rich in vitamin D foods along with 5-15 minutes of unprotected midday sun several times per week; more if you have darker skin or live further from the equator where the sun’s rays are not as strong. Forty percent of people are deficient in vitamin D.
Chemical vs Mineral Sunscreen
Chemical Sunscreen
Chemical UV filter sunscreens contain toxins such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and octocrylene to aid in absorbing the sun’s rays safely but are then absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. These chemicals can also be inadvertently passed to babies through the breastmilk of nursing mothers. Potential side effects of these toxins in chemical sunscreens include neurological, hormonal and reproductive problems or inflammation in the brain causing cognitive impairment.
Mineral Sunscreen
Mineral sunscreen reflects the sun’s UV rays instead of absorbing them like chemical sunscreen. The active ingredient in mineral sunscreen is usually titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Mineral sunscreens are considered safer than the toxin-filled chemical sunscreens but can leave a residue on the skin, making it feel sticky.
BEWARE of products advertised as “pure” and “natural”!
The terminology and symbols on the ingredient panel of sunscreen and other health and beauty products can be difficult to translate. Some products may be advertised as “Natural” or “Pure” but can still contain toxic ingredients. There is little to no regulation on the labeling of products this way. Learn ways to decode these labels by educating yourself on labeling terms and symbols or using an app like EWG‘s Healthy Living app.
My Top 4 Mineral Sunscreen Picks:
*Kiss My Face Kids Defense Continuous Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50
*Supergoop 100% Mineral Sunscreen Mist, SPF 30
*ATTITUDE Mineral Baby and Kids Sunscreen Lotion, Fragrance-free, SPF 30
*Love Sun Body Natural Mineral Sunscreen, Fragrance-free, SPF 50
For other safe, toxin-free sunscreens, check out EWG’s 2019 Guide to Sunscreens. And watch for the 2020 Edition coming soon!
Choose wisely!
Just because we are practicing social distancing doesn’t mean we can’t get out in the fresh air! But don’t forget to protect yourself and your little ones from the sun AND from harsh toxins and chemicals by choosing a clean, mineral-based sunscreen. I have filled you in on my favorites and I would love to hear what your favorites are too! Share your favorites in the comments!
Hands up those who have thrown away food because it’s become too ripe or about to expire. (Actually, I raise my hand.) Unfortunately, this is a common habit. Every day tons of food is thrown in the trash. To avoid this, just buy smart. Maybe buying food only when the fridge or pantry is almost empty, or keeping leftovers for dinner or lunch the next day. Even storing food in the freezer can be an excellent remedy if we cannot eat them in a short time. But what if we follow these suggestions and still have food expiring before we can eat it?
My personal tip is to use this food for DIY recipe, or better, in this case, a ZERO-WASTE face Mask!
Zero-Waste Face Mask: Benefits
Banana
Banana is a valid ingredient for DIY face masks. It is full of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins A and C. It reduces inflammations such as acne and eczema and helps to hydrate the skin.
Honey
Honey represents also another MUST in face masks! It is a natural antibacterial. For this reason, it’s great for acne treatment and prevention. It is also moisturizing and soothing, so let’s add a teaspoon of honey in your recipe, your skin will thank you!
What you will need
a half-ripe banana (the one that has been lying in your fruit bowl for days and you’re thinking of throwing it away because now it has turned black! hehe…)
1 teaspoon honey
If you want to create a face mask with a scrubbing action as well, I recommend adding 1 teaspoon of oatmeal. It’s a gentle exfoliator also suitable for sensitive skin.
Procedure and application
The procedure is really easy! Mix half banana and honey until you get a homogenous mixture. If necessary, use a hand blender to avoid annoying big pieces of banana. If you want to add an exfoliating effect, also add a teaspoon of oatmeal.
After cleaning the face, apply the mixture and leave on for 5 minutes. Remove with warm water, pat face dry, and apply a moisturizing cream to start your day!
If you enjoy this content, you can check out my blog for more recipes.
Click HERE to get a mini-guide from C6 Beauty with DIY beauty recipes using items from your pantry!
***SO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR FIRST GUEST BLOGGER!!! ***
I am proud to introduce Gabi, the owner of C6 Beauty, a Düsseldorf based blog dedicated to the art of zero waste and natural beauty. Before dedicating herself to being a blogger, she spent many years studying chemistry and also obtained a doctorate. It was through this education and scientific knowledge that she became passionate about creating her own homemade products. She loves to study what’s behind every single ingredient and discover its benefits, and is always happy to share what she’s learned!
Welcome, Gabi! Thanks for the wonderful, natural face mask recipe!
Sacred Chocolate is certified organic, certified vegan, certified kosher, carbon balanced and produced in a 100% renewable energy factory in California.
When I started to transition products in our home to more natural options, I found all of the logos and terms on the back of cleaning and personal care products to be extremely confusing! I had purchased a “natural” deodorant online that was advertised as aluminum-free. Much to my surprise, when I scanned the barcode on the new deodorant before using, I discovered this “natural” deodorant contains triclosan. Triclosan is a harmful toxin added to many deodorants, soaps, detergents, and toothpastes. It is used for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Triclosan has been linked to endocrine and thyroid malfunction, reproductive toxicity, weakening of the immune system, and can cause allergies, asthma, and eczema in young children when exposed at an early age. Needless to say, I chucked this “natural” deodorant and opted for a cleaner one. But I learned an important lesson, just because something says 100% organic does NOT mean it is 100% non-toxic.
Natural, Organic, Vegan, and Clean Products: Definitions
Familiarizing yourself with the proper terminology can help you avoid mistakes like I made above when purchasing your own non-toxic replacement products. These terms have different meanings and are not interchangeable…a product that is 100% vegan is not necessarily clean and toxin-free.
When a product is labeled as organic, this means the plant or animal was grown or raised without the use of chemicals, hormones, and antibiotics. Organic beauty products and cleaners are only required to have a very small percentage of an organic ingredient to be “organic”.
The vegan logo certifies products do not contain animal extracts or by-products in both the ingredients and the manufacturing process, but there are no legal regulations on products labeled as vegan. These products may still contain toxins such as artificial fragrances.
Products labeled as “natural” follow along the same lines as organic in the sense that there is only a marginal amount of naturally-sourced, plant-based, or mineral ingredients. Natural products could also have a shorter shelf life since they do not contain toxic synthetic preservatives.
Finally, there are “clean” products. Clean products will generally be free of sulfates, silicone, phthalates, parabens, pesticides, petroleum and petroleum derivatives, and artificial dyes and fragrances. In my opinion, clean products are the best choices to make when replacing toxic beauty and hygiene products.
Deciphering Product Labels
Labels can be deceiving with tons of logos and symbols. It can be difficult to know what the meanings of all of these are. Ingredients are typically listed from highest concentration to lowest. Translating some of the names of these ingredients can be mind-boggling. Luckily we live in the age of Google. If you are questioning a product or its ingredients, look it up! There is so much information literally at your fingertips.
Logos to Look For
The Soil Association Organic Logo – This logo certifies a product is sourced and manufactured using sustainable and organically-farmed ingredients. It also means the product is not tested on animals and is free from harsh chemicals, as well as, artificial dyes and fragrances. You will see this label on products produced and sold in the UK.
The Public Health and Safety Organization founded NSF International in the 1960s. NSF is an independent organization and has developed rigorous product standards including 140 currently active public health statutes. The NSF symbol, which is internationally recognized, can be found on all kinds of products from small appliances and personal care products to food and drink and so much more.
Takeaways
Labels can be confusing. Be wary of products marked as “natural” or “organic” because, again, there are no real regulations regarding the labeling of these products. Products labeled as organic or natural may still contain toxins like triclosan and artificial fragrances. Also, pay close attention when purchasing products online unless it is a product you have used and trust. Research your products before buying if you are unsure to avoid wasting money on products you will not use.
I also recommend using an app [yes, again] to help scan products to easily decode beauty and cleaning product labels. I cannot stress enough how easy an app like EWG‘s Healthy Living or INCI‘s Think Dirty will make your product choices and your life!
***SO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR FIRST GUEST BLOGGER!!! ***
I am proud to introduce Gabi, the owner of C6 Beauty, a Düsseldorf based blog dedicated to the art of zero waste and natural beauty. Before dedicating herself to being a blogger, she spent many years studying chemistry and also obtained a doctorate. It was through this education and scientific knowledge that she became passionate about creating her own homemade products. She loves to study what’s behind every single ingredient and discover its benefits, and is always happy to share what she’s learned!
Welcome Gabi and watch for her post later this week!
