Where Do I Start?

Keen to embark on a more eco-conscious lifestyle but have no idea where to start? I feel you. 

After a few years of traveling and seeing the effects of climate change quite literally on my doorstep (hello, the wildfires in Australia and the summer of 2023 floods in Auckland) I knew I wanted to make a change to my lifestyle. Who was I to complain about the devastation to our beautiful landscapes whilst doing nothing to address my own wasteful habits?

As with any lifestyle change, it pays to make small, steady improvements. After doing my research, part of me wanted to get rid of all my stuff and start from scratch. It felt like nothing I owned was sustainable- but, as the saying goes, we all have to start somewhere. 

Start with Everyday Products

I’ve found that a great place to start is by making swaps to the products in your bathroom cabinet, as these are the things you’re likely using every single day, and have to replace often. 

Check out my recommendations below. Not only are they better for our environment, but they’re also better for your overall health and well-being (and you’re supporting small Kiwi businesses!).

Deodorant:

Many deodorants on the market also function as antiperspirants, which means they contain aluminum-based compounds that temporarily block sweat pores. While this might sound appealing for the sweatier among us, sweating is important and healthy as it helps our bodies eliminate toxins.  Switching to a natural deodorant that lets you sweat (whilst neutralising odour) is a better choice for your body and the planet.

I was initially very skeptical about natural deodorant, but I've been loving Aotearoad's rose and vanilla recently. It smells amazing,  genuinely works, and comes in sturdy, compostable packaging.

I've also heard great things about B. Bold’s deodorant cream- they're definitely next on my list to try!

Oral care:

Since manual toothbrushes should generally be replaced every 3 months, switching to a bamboo toothbrush is a great way to reduce plastic waste. Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant in the world, has natural antibacterial properties, and is completely biodegradable. 

When it comes to toothpaste, most well-known brands contain microplastics, and although some toothpaste tubes can be recycled, they're often sent to landfill anyway, on account of the various types of plastic being too tricky and costly for recycling centers to separate. A great alternative is toothpaste tablets- check out these ones from Dent Tabs.

If you prefer the texture of paste, check out Maxwell & McIntyre’s sustainable solid toothpaste range. It’s made in New Zealand & comes in a little jar that you can use over and over again. Did we mention each jar lasts for 6 months, if not longer!?!

Body wash:

Ecostore, an OG  sustainable Kiwi brand, has a great range of affordable, effective body washes, produced at their net carbon-zero certified factory in Auckland. Fair & Square also have an amazing range of natural, clean & beautiful soap bars made in NZ

They're gentle on skin, and smell great- without the harsh and unnecessary ingredients. If you’re Auckland based, you can take your empty bottles back to their Freeman's Bay store to be recycled or re-filled. There are also refillery stores across the country that stock Ecostore, such as GoodFor.

Haircare:

One of the easiest ways to minimise waste in your haircare routine is to switch to solid shampoo and conditioner bars. Having tried out solid shampoo around a decade ago,

which was, to put it politely, ineffective, I'm pleased to report that solid haircare has since absolutely upped its game. 

Anihana Life's shampoo and conditioner bar is a personal favourite- smells amazing, lasts for 60-80 uses and is a huge space saver when travelling. Ethique also has some great

solid haircare options, tailored to your hair type- I swear by their Professor Curl range.

You don’t want to be dealing with gross, mushy shampoo bars, so it’s worth checking out storage options- like this soap keeper (made from upcycled floorboards!) and soap saver bag which is great for when you’re on the go.

Shaving:

Switching up my shaving routine has probably been one of the most satisfying swaps for me. 

Since investing in a stainless steel safety razor (check out this one from SustainaBLAH) gone are the days of cheap, poor quality plastic razors. 

These ones are long lasting, have a sleek design and you only have to replace the metal blades which are around the $5 mark for a 5 pack. If you're making the switch,  my one piece of advice would be to apply gentle pressure. These razors are way more effective than their plastic supermarket counterparts, so just bear that in mind & use less pressure to avoid your shower looking like a scene from Carrie.

Period care:

Switching up your period & sexual health products is a huge opportunity to reduce waste, and there's been a real boom in sustainable alternatives to these products recently.

AWWA has a great range of period underwear- they're leakproof, breathable, anti-odour and have different styles depending on the heaviness of your flow. 

Alternatively, menstrual cups like this one from The Hello Cup are comfortable, hygienic and reusable. 

Obviously, your personal care products are just that- personal- and for those who may not feel comfortable trying menstrual cups or period underwear just yet,

Clever Little does a great range of organic tampons and pads. They come in a recyclable box and are made from 100% cotton, unlike some of the big-name period care brands who often use synthetic,chemical dyed fabrics- not something you want to be putting in or one of the most delicate areas of your body.

Sexual health:

Sexual health can be a tricky one when it comes to sustainability- condoms are inherently a single-use product (for now, anyway) but these condoms from JJonny are free of nasty toxins, come with planet-friendly disposal and are vegan. Vegan condoms, you ask?! Well, to make latex smooth, most condoms contain casein, which is derived from milk. The more you know...

Whilst you’re at it (pun intended), check out Bonk lube made from organic ingredients, they offer both water and oil based options.

If you’re ready to start making swaps, check out the Bathroom & Body section on Ethically So here.

We hope you loved our latest guest blog post by Molly. It’s literally the perfect timing with it being Plastic Free July. Don’t forget to sign up to our mailing list (just below) to make sure you don’t miss any new blog posts.

Love Annie @ethicallyso

xxx