Becoming eco-beautiful

Our household has been reflecting a lot recently on our environmental impact. Images on the news and on social media frequently highlight the negative effect the human race has had, and is continuing to have on our poor planet. It's getting harder to ignore the problem, which I feel is a good thing. If we are to help our environment recover at all from the state we've brought it to, then we all need to take action now.

My family is making changes to do our bit, and so these habits are being carried with gusto into practices at Beso HQ.
I decided with all this thinking going on, I'd dig up a bit of information to share with you about the beauty industry and the environment and check that I was on track with my wee business in my efforts to become cleaner and greener. 

My research has revealed some jaw dropping facts. Let's start with cosmetic garbage. Process this:

• Wet wipes are a huge contributing factor towards beauty waste. Most are made from synthetic fibres which do not break down and end up clogging our landfills instead. They are now considered the fastest growing cause of pollution on beaches
• ​In 2008 the beauty industry created 120.8 billion units of packaging, 40% of which was rigid plastic
• The cardboard that envelops perfumes, serums and moisturisers contributes to the loss of 18 million acres of forest each year
• If this continues, by 2050 there will be 12 billion tonnes of plastic in landfills, equivalent to 35,000 Empire State Buildings
  
  

And how about chemicals leaking into our eco-system? Let’s see:

• According to US researchers “one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins and hormone disruptors.” (www.davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals-avoid/ - check this link out for a list of the dozen harmful chemicals which are probably lurking in your bathroom cabinet). So when we’ve finished beautifying ourselves, we have to assume that a lot of this runs off into our eco-systems, especially our waterways. We can’t pretend this doesn’t pose a risk to our environment.
• And those pesky wet-wipes again. While they’re sitting in our landfills and floating in our oceans they’re releasing the synthetic fragrances, alcohol and chlorine in which they are soaked. ​More chemicals leeching into our eco-systems​

Now, let’s discuss a topical ingredient: palm oil.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, the chemical found in so many of our beauty products, the one responsible for producing the luscious lathery bubbles that we love so much. This nasty “has been linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, organ toxicity and skin irritation (https://www.livestrong.com/article/174367-dangers-of-sodium-lauryl-sulfate/)
Now that isn’t great news for our skin, but there’s another issue. This ingredient is derived from palm oil, 90% of which is extracted from trees in Malaysia and Indonesia. This is causing mass deforestation and destruction of habitats of endangered species such as tigers and orangutans. And while there are sustainable palm oil options, it’s hard to be sure you are making a responsible choice when the ingredient itself is disguised under a different name.

This is a lot to take in. But we have to think about it. All of it. Looking good, enjoying the luxuries presented so temptingly to us by the beauty industry, should not mean that our planet has to suffer.

​Which brings us back to Beso.  My research has made me question the eco-practices I use in my growing one-woman beauty business. And you know what? I’m not doing too badly at all. In fact, I’m quite proud of my efforts as a beauty eco-warrior. Here’s what I’m doing to help the environment so that my customers have the choice to do the same:

• Firstly, forget baby wipes. Use our makeup remover and face cleanser instead. You can use this with cotton pads or these beautiful reusable crocheted pads from Miss Lily. I love mine! https://www.facebook.com/commerce/products/1699170420172883/
• You may not realise this but all our containers are either recyclable or refillable. Contact me for more information about our refill scheme
• My products are made with natural ingredients so there’s no fear of flushing harmful chemicals into our environment when you choose Beso. Even the cleaning products I choose are eco-friendly and biodegradable.​
• Greasy waste might not be a chemical hazard, but it still poses a problem when it gets into our drains and hardens, blocking our waterways. So I make sure that any waste oils are disposed of responsibly.
• Beso packaging is kept to a minimum. With no extra boxes, bags, plastic wrap, I keep it simple and avoid over wrapping. Special packaging for gifts, hampers etc are enviro-friendly, such as beeswax wraps, woven baskets, hemp bags, plant based biodegradable cellophane and reusable cloth ribbon
• When it comes to postage, I use NZ post pre-paid bags which can be dropped into Countdown for soft plastic recycling
  
  

Typical packaging used around a commercial face lotion. 

Not here at Beso though! Beso products come in reusable and refillable containers without the extra rubbish to deal with
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(image sourced from  https://www.stylist.co.uk/beautybeauty-products-eco-conscious-packaging183786)

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​I’m committed to making Beso the best it can be, but choose to adopt practices that mean I can also commit to protecting the environment. I’m doing the hard work to ensure my company is as eco friendly as possible so that you know you are making a clean green choice when you shop Beso for your beauty needs.





Sources
https://www.stylist.co.uk/beauty/beauty-products-eco-conscious-packaging/183786
https://www.byrdie.com.au/sustainability-cosmetics--5a81da776369a
https://www.livestrong.com/article/174367-dangers-of-sodium-lauryl-sulfate/
www.davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals-avoid/​