Eco Habits

How Your Habits Affect Our Environment

Reduce, reuse, recycle - we've all heard it a thousand times.  But what do these words really mean in daily practice, and what impact can they truly have on the health of our planet? 

Reduce

This is simple in concept, hard to put into real practice.  Everything we buy - food, cleaning products, clothing - arrives in some kind of packaging.  How often do you stop to think about what that packaging is made of, or how long it will sit in a landfill?  You can choose paper, glass, and cardboard over plastic and styrofoam.  You can choose packaging that breaks down quickly instead of lasting for centuries.  There are even plant-based plastics now, made from corn or sugar - we haven't dug into the full research on how much better these really are, but we believe in supporting better options as they emerge.  At ASC Soapworks, we weigh these choices against health and safety every time.  No packaging is best, so many of our soaps are sold completely naked. 

When a soap needs identification or an ingredient list, we wrap it as simply as possible - just a small paper band, which breaks down quickly once it's back in the environment. 

Glass would be ideal over plastic, but it isn't the safest choice for a wet shower floor.  So when we do need plastic, we look for U.S.-made options with post-consumer recycled content. Buying locally matters too - it cuts down on the energy needed to get a product to your door.  

Reuse

If packaging can be reused, we reuse it. We save and reuse shipping boxes and packing materials whenever we can.  At home, we do the same - grocery bags, jars, anything with more life left in it - while trying not to let it turn into clutter (a constant balancing act).  We'll refill jars for you when you purchase liquid soaps or other refillable products.  Reusing something saves the energy and resources it takes to remake it, saves you money, and keeps it out of the landfill a little longer. 

Recycle 

It's a complicated one - plenty of what goes in the recycling bin doesn't end up recycled.  But the thinking keeps evolving.  Can materials be repurposed into something new entirely?  We're constantly amazed by the creativity people bring to turning scraps into art or something useful.  Locally, we love Resource and/or Restore for both donating and shopping secondhand.  And it goes beyond bins - walking instead of driving, taking the stairs instead of the elevator.  Small shifts that save energy, save gas, and add a little movement to your day.  Healthier choices, for a healthier planet. 

— Taralyn