It's Plastic Free July! This global movement holds a special place in the heart of planet-loving activists. It's a time of year that urges all of us to take a second look at our consumption habits and find fresh ways to swap out wasteful, single-use packaging for more eco-friendly alternatives. While Plastic Free July lasts just 31 summer days, you can shake up your shower and skincare routine for a full-time commitment to plastic reduction.
Fortunately, these 10 earth-friendly Indies are masters of living a less wasteful lifestyle all year round. Check out how they've pioneered creative alternatives to plastic so you can build new, sustainable habits that last a lifetime!
1. Mirage Shampoo Tabs, by Mirage Waterless (New York)
Maker: Lauren Leavitt
Shampoo bottles can be one of the biggest offenders when it comes to making the shift to a plastic-free lifestyle. Level up your shower routine with these zero-waste shampoo tabs from Mirage Waterless. Bring one into the shower with you, add a few drops of water, and rub between the palms of your hands to work up a foaming, ultra-cleansing paste. What an easy way to banish plastics from the bathroom!
Make the switch to sustainable showering! This cardboard tube includes 30 single-wash shampoo tabs.
2. Rad Balm: Plant Butter Multi-Purpose Skin + Hair Lotion Bar, by Allison's Artisan Goods (California)
Maker: Ali Ritto Almstedt
Harness the awe-inspiring power of plants! This Rad Balm from Allison's Artisan Goods is a multi-hyphenate skincare maven: this bad boy works as a massage bar, skin salve, and beard balm. It can tame frustrating flyaways and moisturize cracked, uncomfortable heels and elbows. Plus, it arrives at your door in a reusable metal tin so you can nab all of these benefits and be eco-friendly at the same time!
3. Lavender Tea Tree Deodorant, by Good Flower Farm (Tennessee)
Maker: Rachel Carpenter
Reduce the use of plastics in your bathroom cabinet! Good Flower Farms packs this Lavender Tea Tree Deodorant into a biodegradable, paperboard tube. You can stop the stink while also banishing the yuck—this all-natural deodorant is free of icky additives like aluminum and baking soda.
Bonus: it typically ships with a plastic sticker to hold together the tube and lid, but you can opt to order a stickerless option for a fully plastic-free experience.
Keep yourself smelling sweet while reducing your plastic usage one paperboard tube at a time.
4. Hand & Body Cream Lotion, by Bubbly Moon Naturals (New York)
Maker: Marshalla Ramos-Inde
Are you reaching for a plastic tube when it's time to moisturize dry skin? Make the change to this glass-jarred Hand & Body Cream Lotion! The skincare experts at Bubbly Moon Naturals infuse this handy hydrating cream with sunflower, hempseed, and jojoba for purely softening nourishment!
Soothe dry skin and kick out plastic pollution with this hand and body cream.
5. Beard Balm, by ButterMEssentials (New York)
Maker: Negesti Pinnock
Keep your facial hair looking fresh with this Beard Balm from ButterMEssentials. Rub between your hands to soften it up and great ready to rock a sharp, sophisticated style. Made with shea butter, seed, and fruit oils, you can also use it to polish off twists, brands, and locks. It comes in a convenient tin so you can keep plastics out of your grooming routine.
Keep your beard in tip-top shape with this ultra-moisturizing, plastic-free pomade.
6. Mint Your Feet, by Kosmatology (Connecticut)
Maker: Janis Covey
Tired of dealing with dry, overworked feet? This Mint Your Feet balm and scrub combo packs a powerful one-two punch. Start by exfoliating your feet with the skin-softening salt scrub. Finish things off with a generous application of peppermint and eucalyptus balm. The pair fits right into your journey to cut back on plastics: Kosmatology opts for a cardboard tube and glass jar to reduce reliance on wasteful materials.
Be sweet to your feet and the planet with this foot-pampering duo.
7. Secret Garden Candle, by Harik Candle Company (Rhode Island)
Maker: Savannah Harik
Snag a much-needed moment of me-time with vegan and toxin-free Secret Garden candles from Harik Candle Company! Sweet rose petals wander whimsically with carnation and rich ylang ylang for a lush sensory stroll through the flowers. It not only comes in a stylish glass jar, but Harik Candle Company packages your order using minimal, compostable materials for an all-around eco-friendly experience.
8. Citrus Rose Lip Balm, by October Fields (Maine)
Maker: Sloane Rogers
Keep your lips ready for a summer romance with a healthful dose of flower-infused Citrus Rose Lip Balm from October Fields. Pucker up to cocoa butter, sweet almond, and rosehip oil—while kissing wasteful plastic packaging goodbye. To apply, simply push up on the base of this compostable cardboard Eco-Tube™ for an ultra-soft pout your honey can't refuse.
9. Ocean Air Candle, by Keystone Inspired (Washington D.C.)
Maker: Brittany McGaughan
Transform your home into a relaxing sanctuary of selfcare with the sweet, sea-soaked scents of the Keystone Inspired Coastal Collection. Ocean Air swirls with notes of sun-emblazoned driftwood and calm, refreshing sea salt. It travels from Keystone Inspired to your place in a glass jar, packed with 100% recycled shipping materials.
Plus, it's topped with seed paper, that when planted, blooms into bright and colorful pops of wildflowers. Feel good about your purchase now and for many years to come!
Immerse yourself in the sweet waft of the ocean breeze, and kick back to watch the flowers grow!
10. Gamblin' Man—Cologne Scented Solid Beard Wash Bar, by Whiskey ‘N Hardtack (Pennsylvania)
Maker: Holly Warren
Say buh-bye to bottles with this Gamblin' Man Solid Beard Wash Bar! Whiskey ‘N Hardtack loads this reusable, eco-friendly tin with a lathering, conditioning, and luxuriously cleansing beard wash that outlasts two (yes, TWO) entire bottles of your traditional liquid beard wash. Simply slide the solid bar down your dampened beard for ultra-soft and touchable facial hair—all without the wasteful packaging!
Get your beard in gear while saving the planet one step at a time!
Questions for discussion and sharing
It might be Plastic Free July, but what are your top tips for reducing your reliance on plastics all year round? Do you have any favorite brands that give back to earth-friendly charities? Let us know in the comments!
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