Looking to further reduce your plastic waste? Here’s where to find plastic-free toothpaste, lip balm, and insect repellent.
In support of Free the Ocean’s mission to clean up the ocean and reduce plastic use, each month we feature a selection from their plastic-free shop. We do not earn a commission from these links.
We have a profoundly perplexing plastic pollution problem. Consider these statistics from the World Economic Forum:
Of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated in the U.S. in 2021, only 5% to 6%—or about two million tons—was recycled.
About 98% of single-use plastic products are made from fossil fuels.
Globally, we produce about 400 million tons of plastic waste yearly.
Between 75 and 199 million tons of plastic are currently in our oceans.
You are likely familiar with the scope of the problem. Maybe you’ve switched to a reusable water bottle or have gone even further with a zero waste lifestyle. But even for the most plastic-averse among us, there are a number of products for which it is hard to find plastic-free options that do the job.
In these instances, we like to turn to Free The Ocean’s plastic-free shop. The items have been vetted by the site, and every purchase funds the removal of plastic from the ocean. It could be argued that shopping here doubles your impact.
About the trickier zero waste items to shop for—and the ones featured below—Free The Ocean founder Mimi Ausland says, “All of these products typically come in plastic packaging and/or contain toxic ingredients harmful to you and the planet. And, of course, ours contain none of the above!”
The beauty and personal care industry has a plastic problem—and finding sustainable workarounds for these kinds of products has proven challenging. But not for everyone! Blue Heron Botanicals makes high-quality, small-batch products using 100% home-compostable, recyclable, or reusable packaging. As in, no more plastic tubes for lip balms.
Their Lip Therapy balms are ultra-rich lip conditioners formulated to keep lips hydrated with a creamy blend of botanical butter and oils, perfect everyday beauty.
Bonus! A baby sea turtle is saved for every balm purchased.
Shop: Blue Heron Botanicals Lip Therapy Balms
