Want to go plastic-free? Try shampoo and soap bars
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Shampoo and soap bottles are yet another single-use plastic product that won't break down. Alternatives to this pollution aren't always obvious, so I've tried and tested a few options so you don't have to!
Image credit: Boring Soap via Flickr
Shampoo and soap bars can be bought either loose or in cardboard packaging. This means all you're buying is the product and not a worthless bit of single-use plastic with it. According to National Geographic, nine million tonnes of plastic get thrown into the ocean every year, which breaks down to one garbage truck full of plastic being dumped into the sea every minute.
Are shampoo bars as good?
I have to admit I was sceptical when buying my first shampoo bar. I had questions about how this tiny dry bar could foam up and clean my hair to the same extent as a liquid shampoo in a bottle. The results were pleasantly surprising. Not only did the bar foam up, but the size also did not even deplete. I bought my shampoo bar from Lush, who have a wide range of bars for different hair types, but there are many more options available as well.
Image Credit: Matilda Martin
The one thing I would say is that the foam does not spread as easily as a liquid shampoo so it is best to massage the bar against your scalp and ends to really generate an even spread. All in all, I'd say it took me less than a minute longer in the shower than I would normally take, so it really wasn't a problem.
After using the bar, it should be left in a tin with the lid off to allow it to dry- this will prevent it from going mushy and will make it last longer!
Cost
Although I did pay £8 for my shampoo bar, slightly more than I would spend on a bottle of my favourite shampoo, Lush explains how "these highly-concentrated handfuls... do the job of three 250g bottles of liquid shampoo"
This means you're both saving money and the planet. Try your shampoo bar today - I guarantee you'll never look back!
Lead image credit: Boring Soap via Flickr