5 Ways Every Aussie Can Improve Their Environmental Footprint

If you’ve ever watched a David Attenborough documentary or taken a deep dive into climate change, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about the devastating impact human consumption is having on our planet.

And while the problem may seem impossibly big and unsolvable overnight, it really is those small, everyday efforts we can consistently make as individuals that will contribute to change.

So, if you’ve already tackled plastic straws and takeaway cups, it’s now time to turn to your beauty routine.

Nobody is perfect, nor should anyone expect to be, but by making small adjustments that soon become habits, we’ll be one step closer to reducing our individual environmental footprint.

#1 Get savvier with recycling

Recycling has always been a good thing and bathroom items shouldn’t be exempt. Read the labels of the products you’re buying so you know exactly which parts of them can be recycled (and into which bin), and look for the phrase ‘made from recyclable materials’, too. This means that rather than creating packaging (which can therefore create more waste), the brand you’re choosing has used already-made materials, giving them a second life.

For Garnier in particular, the brand has partnered with NGO’s Plastics for Change, to not only help reuse the plastics that have ended up in landfill but provide waste pickers with a stable income. In 2019, Garnier’s use of recycled plastic saved 3,670 tons of virgin plastic and by 2025 all packaging will be recyclable, reusable or compostable.

#2 Give your beauty products a second life

You could also consider ditching the bin entirely and repurpose your product packaging instead. There are plenty of crafty ideas out there, and you’d be surprised by what you can make from your tubs and bottles.

Brooke Styles even turned her Garnier Hair Food tub into a pot plant! With a quick wash and a lick of paint, it became the perfect home for a cactus.

@brookestyless

#3 Buy in bulk where you can

The bigger the size, the less frequently you’ll have to repurchase your favourite beauty products and in turn, the less packaging you’ll be throwing into your bins. If it’s an everyday item like Garnier’s Micellar Cleansing Water, consider purchasing the 700ml, but still keep your empty on-the-go sizes to refill as you need. No waste and less plastic purchased. Win-win.

#4 Participate in beach clean-ups

Whether you go solo or with a few friends, you can clean up your local beach any time, simply by taking an empty bag with you. Considering a lot of our waste ends up in our oceans and shores, you’ll be doing a good deed while enjoying the sunshine and sea air. You can even track your progress through Ocean Conservancy’s ‘Clean Swell’ app. The team at Garnier collected 6.8 tonnes of plastic in 2019 by doing just this.

#5 Support brands with transparent sustainability commitments

Never underestimate the power your choices have as an individual. After all, big businesses can’t operate without your support and in turn, your support for those with sustainability initiatives in place will go a long way.

Garnier has already made some great green beauty commitments and has a clear plan for the future. You can even read the full sustainability progress report on the website. Now that’s transparency.

What are some of the ways you like to reduce your own environmental footprint? Have you tried any of the above?

34 Member Comments

Sootyhere 4 Jan 2021 11:02 PM

Inspiration to recycle. Thanks

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Normap 16 Dec 2020 9:44 PM

I think we should all recycle as much as we can.

anakiee 23 Sep 2020 4:05 AM

I love this article. Not only did it reinforce the fact that I'm doing the right things and have been for years, but it gave me more information about selecting the right products as well as the packaging. I like the idea of repurposing packaging also. Craft can be a great way to de-stress while making something personal. The attached articles were a great idea for more information. Thanx BH. 'S

Angage 22 Sep 2020 9:27 AM

I always buy body wash,body moisturiser,shampoo and conditioner in bigger size packs.

Bartsky 20 Sep 2020 11:42 PM

Great article. It's good to see more beauty companies using recyclable plastic bottles

Dance 20 Sep 2020 7:38 PM

It's amazing what a difference you can make just by being thoughtful about this sort of thing.

Sally10 20 Sep 2020 4:50 PM

Some good tips here.

Elunia 20 Sep 2020 4:05 PM

I love to find a new purpose of items and I have been reusing a lot of my face cream, etc jars for years. Bulk buys is also good. What I really hate it having an items wrapped in plastic which is then placed in a box, then wrapped in plastic again....

Jodes71 19 Sep 2020 10:30 PM

We need to look after our planet. Reduce, reuse and recycle

Susmat 19 Sep 2020 6:25 PM

All good ideas; recycling is so important

sootyblack_14 19 Sep 2020 11:10 AM

Great tips and great places to start....

Chrystalage 18 Sep 2020 11:24 PM

I bought some bulk foods recently. I'm not too keen on doing that at the moment due to the virus but the shop is taking safety very seriously and had provided a lot of single use scoops and spoons. It took me ages to go around the shop and scoop up my foods, as it's the first time I've been to this particular store. I used to buy in bulk many years ago but then it seemed to disappear. Some of the supermarkets still have a few bulk foods in the way of nuts, see and grains but I won't buy from them as I don't trust the hygiene.

Getting back to the recent shop, I really enjoyed "slow shopping" and I felt good about only using a few paper bags which I was able to recycle. I don't think the prices were particularly comparable to pre-packed foods, however, the quality was excellent. I bought some dried mango (no sulphur) for my husband and he said it was the best he ever had.

Shop A Everyday 18 Sep 2020 11:14 PM

So many companies are helping now, its great

Normap 18 Sep 2020 6:35 PM

There are so many conflicting views on climate change that I for one worry about which is correct. I do recycle all the things that I can and try to do what should be done.

Miramarmari 17 Sep 2020 6:33 PM

Love recycling and repurposing! Great article

Pinkalicious 17 Sep 2020 3:41 AM

great job

Bellefleur 16 Sep 2020 11:45 PM

Recycling, re-purposing, reusing and composting are major things in my household -it is so easy to do once you get into it and we all know that every little contribution helps.

Lisa359 16 Sep 2020 4:26 PM

Garnier are great, they are making an effort, which is more than you can say for many companies.

clearcrystalwater 16 Sep 2020 1:36 PM

I've improved over time and am better at this kind of thing than I used to be - I used to be quite flippant about water and recycling cardboard and the likes but I must admit I've always felt protective about bees and their survival and other critters so I've always been very good with using organic-based products in my garden so as not to harm the eco-system.

misfortune8 16 Sep 2020 2:44 AM

I recycle everything that can be recycled. I also like to use machine-washable makeup wipes.

ray_jay 15 Sep 2020 11:30 PM

Fantastic article. I always recycle and watch what I buy.

Wn0873 15 Sep 2020 7:33 PM

Don't forget that a lot of otherwise not recyclable packaging can be recycled through Terracycle.

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clearcrystalwater 15 Sep 2020 1:07 PM

Great ideas! We have solar panels and any excess electricity gets put into the grid. It's something I wish we'd done earlier!!

onlyoni 15 Sep 2020 8:49 AM

I'm very conscious of being environmentally aware in regards to recycling, re-using and re-purposing because I've been doing it for so long.

elmorules 15 Sep 2020 7:52 AM

I like to find homes for any thing I know longer need and don't use. I recycle and reuse where I can. I would love to be able to buy in bulk. Farmers markets are the best.

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