April 22, 2020
Eco-Conscious Lifestyle Swaps
By Caitlin Traynor
Whether you are trying to reduce your carbon footprint or shop more sustainably, we should all be making a conscious effort to maintain an eco-friendlier lifestyle. Even the smallest of lifestyle changes has little bearing on our day-to-day lives but can make a difference for the earth and the creatures we share it with and including a small selection we run through the easiest eco-swaps.
SHOP AT ZERO-WASTE SUPERMARKETS
In the UK, many zero-waste supermarkets are emerging on the scene. The concept is simple: customers are able to bring any containers from home (think mason jars, Tupperware, or glass jars) which can be then used to fill up with unpackaged products or liquids from the store. Stores ask that the containers are weighed before and after, to correctly determine how much product has been filled up so that customers pay for the contents and not the weight of the container.
With everything from nuts, quinoa, cereals to chocolate available to choose from, a weekly haul or a quick visit just to pick up a few essentials, is definitely doable at a zero-waste supermarket. If there are no zero-waste supermarkets around you, simple switches such as buying loose fruit or vegetables rather than packaged in plastic or bringing your own canvas bags to check out also can help make your grocery run eco-friendlier.
REUSABLE COTTON PADS
Swapping cotton pads to reusable ones is a simple way to add some sustainability to your skincare routine. Cotton has a high environmental impact as it uses an immense amount of water and contains many pesticides and chemicals. Reusable cotton pads are far better for your skin because they contain fewer pesticides than disposable ones. and E that gives anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory benefits.
After each use, collect the pads and place it into a mesh bag. Once the mesh bag is full, it’s as easy as throwing the bag into the washing machine and then you have a fresh bag of cotton pads ready to go.
SAY NO TO STRAWS
Getting into the habit of saying, “No plastic straws please” when ordering at a restaurant, fast-food joint, or getting take away, will make a difference.
Plastic straws end up in the ocean primarily because of human mistakes. Often, straws are left on beaches or seaside communities, littered or blown out of trash cans, transport boats and vehicles. Marine life is facing a battle against climate change, overfishing, and pollution, and making a small change like going straw-less is a critical step in creating meaningful and sustainable changes for a better future for our oceans. What would oceans be without marine life?
Do you still want to use a straw? Invest in your own metal reusable straws instead.
BAMBOO TOOTHBRUSHES
Brushing our teeth has become such a regular part of our everyday routine that we barely give it a second thought. The average person uses 300 toothbrushes in their lifetime and as plastic is not part of nature’s food chain, the toothbrushes never biodegrade and often end up in our oceans, posing a risk to our marine life.
A simple switch to bamboo toothbrushes is a fantastic way to become eco-friendlier. Bamboo trees are one of the fastest-growing plants on the earth and contain natural antibacterial properties. Bamboo is antimicrobial, meaning it does not need fertilizers or pesticides to grow, and anti-fungal meaning it is a hygienic material to build toothbrushes. In comparison to plastic, bamboo toothbrushes can take a few months or some years to biodegrade, depending on the bamboo’s soil, temperature and atmosphere conditions.
OTHER EASY OPTIONS INCLUDE:
- Swap Plastic Bags for Containers & Re-useable shopping bags.
- Swap Plastic Wraps for Beeswax Wraps
- Swap your go-to coffee cup for a refillable glass cup from home
- Swap single use for re-fillable products
- Swap Plastic Water Bottles for Re-fillable water bottles
Eco-Conscious Lifestyle Swaps
By: Caitlin Traynor
Whether you are trying to reduce your carbon footprint or shop more sustainably, we should all be making a conscious effort to maintain an eco-friendlier lifestyle. Even the smallest of lifestyle changes has little bearing on our day-to-day lives but can make a difference for the earth and the creatures we share it with and including a small selection we run through the easiest eco-swaps.
Shop at Zero-Waste Supermarkets
In the UK, many zero-waste supermarkets are emerging on the scene. The concept is simple: customers are able to bring any containers from home (think mason jars, Tupperware, or glass jars) which can be then used to fill up with unpackaged products or liquids from the store. Stores ask that the containers are weighed before and after, to correctly determine how much product has been filled up so that customers pay for the contents and not the weight of the container.
With everything from nuts, quinoa, cereals to chocolate available to choose from, a weekly haul or a quick visit just to pick up a few essentials, is definitely doable at a zero-waste supermarket. If there are no zero-waste supermarkets around you, simple switches such as buying loose fruit or vegetables rather than packaged in plastic or bringing your own canvas bags to check out also can help make your grocery run eco-friendlier.
Reusable Cotton Pads
Swapping cotton pads to reusable ones is a simple way to add some sustainability to your skincare routine. Cotton has a high environmental impact as it uses an immense amount of water and contains many pesticides and chemicals. Reusable cotton pads are far better for your skin because they contain fewer pesticides than disposable ones.
After each use, collect the pads and place it into a mesh bag. Once the mesh bag is full, it’s as easy as throwing the bag into the washing machine and then you have a fresh bag of cotton pads ready to go.
Say No to Straws
Getting into the habit of saying, “No plastic straws please” when ordering at a restaurant, fast-food joint, or getting take away, will make a difference.
Plastic straws end up in the ocean primarily because of human mistakes. Often, straws are left on beaches or seaside communities, littered or blown out of trash cans, transport boats and vehicles. Marine life is facing a battle against climate change, overfishing, and pollution, and making a small change like going straw-less is a critical step in creating meaningful and sustainable changes for a better future for our oceans. What would oceans be without marine life?
Do you still want to use a straw? Invest in your own metal reusable straws instead.
Bamboo Toothbrushes
Brushing our teeth has become such a regular part of our everyday routine that we barely give it a second thought. The average person uses 300 toothbrushes in their lifetime and as plastic is not part of nature’s food chain, the toothbrushes never biodegrade and often end up in our oceans, posing a risk to our marine life.
A simple switch to bamboo toothbrushes is a fantastic way to become eco-friendlier. Bamboo trees are one of the fastest-growing plants on the earth and contain natural antibacterial properties. Bamboo is antimicrobial, meaning it does not need fertilizers or pesticides to grow, and anti-fungal meaning it is a hygienic material to build toothbrushes. In comparison to plastic, bamboo toothbrushes can take a few months or some years to biodegrade, depending on the bamboo’s soil, temperature and atmosphere conditions.
OTHER EASY OPTIONS INCLUDE:
- Swap Plastic Bags for Containers & Re-useable shopping bags.
- Swap Plastic Wraps for Beeswax Wraps
- Swap your go-to coffee cup for a refillable glass cup from home
- Swap single use for re-fillable products
- Swap Plastic Water Bottles for Re-fillable water bottles
If you were to advise a London guide, what would be on your list?
Well, As I grew up in Notting Hill, it will always have my heart and if I was recommending spots in London, a wander around Notting Hill would be high up on my list. From there it would be all the best shopping destinations, the iconic private members club, Annabels, Harrods and Liberty’s for any cute and unique gifts. I would always pop into 111CRYO at Harrods for the Cryo Facial and treatment for the ultimate recharge. Sometimes the city is great, but the beautiful secrets of the English countryside is something that should be experienced.
Your In-Flight Essentials?
I don’t have a routine per say and I am certainly not as thorough as Naomi Campbell but I would apply the Meso Infusion Lip Duo and I would always wipe my phone down with anti-bacterial wipes, in fact I do this every day, the bacteria build up is no good for the skin.
In terms of Industry, where do you see the hair industry going?
Well Instagram has changed so much and has impacted the way we consume and learn within the industry, especially with so many creatives, but I still find that a massive amount of people come to the professionals to share the knowledge on how to carry out or complete a desired look, more than ever there is power behind ‘how-to’ videos.
A very valid point and in terms of 2020?
In terms of what we are to see in 2020, things are going to be super creative and we will see a wider awareness for people doing their own thing and it will be expressive and artistic. People will move away from the overtly glamorous looks and will create looks they can tailor to their everyday. As it’s currently Award Season which is the busiest time of the year leading up to the Met Ball, hairstyles are certainly more elaborate, and everyone loves an up do. I would say the most timeless look has to be the blunt bob, it comes around year on year, but it is effortless and timeless.
Outside of hair, what other industries are you into?
I am hugely into Interiors and I would describe my style as 60s/70s glamour, think elaborate and dramatic but I often fantasise about 80s Dallas and Joan Collins and I have to reign myself in. I also love Baking; it is the ultimate way to relax and I find that it is my meditation and therapy. If I’m in the USA I would bake a lot of cookies as everyone is obsessed with then over here and in the UK, I would bake more traditional styles like a lemon tart or an apple tart – it allows for me to be creative outside of my job.
Finally, the best advice you have ever received?
It would have to be from my grandfather, he would often say to me “it’s not how well you’re doing but how well people think you’re doing”. I haven’t successfully implemented it however you can look to Instagram today and people see our work and are blown away by it, but we can be so hard on ourselves and not appreciate our own work ourselves.