7 tips for banishing microplastics

Last week I read an article that stated that still most cosmetic products contain microplastics. These tiny pieces of plastic are purposefully added to products we use every day, such as shower gels, shampoo, sunscreen, cleaning products and detergents.
A recent analysis of 7707 different cosmetic products showed that 6682 products contain microplastics! But also in 119 of the 300 investigated detergents, plastic was added. This was revealed by an Austrian survey of detergents in 2019.
The GOOD NEWS is that Saucha's soaps, which can be used both as a shower gel and as a detergent, do not contain any microplastics. In our opinion, it is absolutely unnecessary to add this for a good working product.
Even though there is still much uncertainty about the effects of microplastics on human beings, in nature, negative effects can already be seen. Animals swallow the pieces of plastic, coral reef is affected by it and microplastics can also penetrate plants through their roots. This allows microplastics to enter our food chain as well.
Recently, Majorie van Duursen, Professor of Toxicology at the Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam, stated that microplastics can also be absorbed by cells. Even immune cells, which can trigger an inflammatory response. In addition, she mentioned that microplastics can reach the brain and presumably the placenta, effecting the child in the womb. Reason enough to banish it if you ask us!
Want to know what you can do yourself to minimize the release of microplastics? I've listed some tips for you below:

Cosmetics:

1. Use organic cosmetics that don't contain microplastics. Naturally, none of Saucha's products contain microplastics. Want to check if other products contain microplastics? Here's how to recognize and avoid them:

    • Toothpaste: Polyethylene (PE) and/or Polyethylene glycol;
    • Liquid soap: Polystyrene/Acrylates copolymer;
    • Scrub products: Polyethylene (PE) and/or Polypropylene (PP).

Other microplastics include:

    • Acrylate Copolymer, Acrylate Crosspolymer (ACS)
    • Dimethicol
    • Methicone
    • Polyacrylamide
    • Polyamide, Nylon
    • Polyacrylate
    • Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
    • Polyquaternium
    • Polyethylene (PE), Polyethylene glycol, Polythylene terephthalate
    • Polypropylene (PP), Polypropylene glycol
    • Polystyrene
    • Polyurethane
    • PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone of polyvidone/ povidone)
    • Siloxane

    Clothing:

    2. Buy as little synthetic clothing as possible and choose natural materials, such as cotton, linen and wool. Other good options are viscose and lyocell.

    General tip: Buy less clothing. You can save almost 40 kg of CO2 per year by buying 6 fewer pieces of clothing! Plus, if you pick your clothes more carefully you can enjoy it for so much longer. Via this way, I regularly shop in my own closet among my old clothes from 10 years ago, which I now really like again! 

    3. Wash synthetic clothing as little as possible. You can also use a special laundry net to catch the microfibers during washing, such as the Guppyfriend. This will trap about 70% of the fibers.

    Transport:

    4. Car tires are made of rubber and plastic and as driving wears out the tires, it releases microplastics. So leave the car whenever possible (take the bike or train instead) and change your winter tires on time. 

    Groceries:

    5. Shop at the market, at a package-free store or have your empty jars filled at home.

    6. Choose large packs rather than loose-packed products

    7. Scan products with the Beat the microbeat app to discover if they contain microplastics.

     

    Many of these tips were new to me too, hope it helps. Good luck! 
    Love,
    Robin 

    P.s. Want to be certain there are no microplastics hidden in your shower gel and/or detergent? Take a look at our soaps!


    Older post Newer post

    Leave a comment

    Please note, comments must be approved before they are published