We aren’t asking you to lose weight (except that in your Recycling bin!) and we aren’t asking you to cut down on how much you drink (we actually prefer glass bottles!) but we would love you to consider making one or more changes in the single-use plastic products you buy in 2021 please…
When we surveyed in Shrivenham and local villages, a whopping 45% of all the main concerns which villagers voiced about their impact on the environment and climate change in their day-to-day life was their plastic use and packaging.
In response, Sustainable Shrivenham is therefore picking a relevant item per month during 2021 on which to offer some information to hopefully encourage everyone to give a plastic-free version a try! To give you some ideas, we have included the invaluable feedback from contributors to our Facebook group (about some of the brands they have tried and tested) but we really want you to try products for yourselves, and if you can tell us what you think of them, so much the better! Plus, if you find one or more that you really like, for you to make a permanent switch and spread the word to your family and friends!
So, January’s product is:
Shampoo Bars
As recently as the 1940’s people would wash their hair with the same soap bar they used for general washing purposes!
Liquid shampoo was then invented, packaged in the plastic bottles with which we are all familiar.
As people become more aware of the harmful effects of some of the ingredients in their commercial shampoos and want to be more environmentally conscience, many are switching back to bars.
Modern versions are nothing like their predecessors, not always even their shapes!
Aspects to consider before buying could include:
if ingredients are natural and ethically produced,
locality of both producer and stockist,
whether any packaging is recyclable or refillable…or there isn’t any!
One of their many advantages is that they pack so small and don’t spill (very useful when we can travel from home again!) and most brands offer a range to suit the different hair types and needs.
Some natural shampoos require a transition period for your hair to adjust to producing less oils, so we recommend doing a bit of research before purchasing, and you may wish to try a couple of different brands or so to find your perfect fit (one idea is to trial different ones among household members to compare results).
Brands which our members have tried out with varying degrees of preference include:
Faith in Nature
The Solid Bar Company, Faringdon, Oxon
Lush
Rush Organics
Gruum
Soap & Soap Bars
The Oxford Soap Company
Eco
Bain & Savon, and
Ethique (but air miles as from New Zealand)
but others are available, including from supermarkets and some charity shops.
So, please do give a shampoo bar a try. Simply wet your hair or the bar itself, apply lather to hair, then rinse out. Hair Conditioner bars are also available, so maybe be bold and give one of those a go too.
Please let us know what you try out and how you get on by commenting below, and watch out for our next blog on another item!
You can find monthly updates about work on the updates page or if you would like to receive our updates by email, please use out contact us page.
