Why we're saving (not recycling) thousands of plastic bottles
Recycled plastic is not the answer
It’s now well-documented just how big our plastic waste problem is. A recent poll showed that the UK will throw away 520 million shampoo bottles every year.
This can be a huge problem for plastic shampoo bottles, as Brits admit to throwing an estimated 30% of recyclable items into their general waste bin.
And even when plastic is placed in the recycling bin, a significant portion of it still ends up either in landfill or incinerated. Creating pollution in the environment.
According to The Big Plastic Count’s latest research, a shocking 58% of our plastic waste incinerated. Burning plastic is very toxic.
According to The Big Plastic Count’s latest research, a shocking 58% of our plastic waste incinerated. Burning plastic is very toxic.
So even when consumers think they're doing the right thing, our plastic recycling facilities aren't effectively dealing with the problem.
On paper, recycling should be the solution to plastic waste. But in environmental terms, the best thing to do with a plastic bottle is to either refuse it or to reuse it.
The beginning of Hairy Jayne going plastic free
It was over 10 years ago that our customers started asking for plastic free alternatives. The shampoo and conditioner bottles we were using at the time were recyclable amber PET plastic.
When I then began to learn more about the huge problem plastic waste creates, I decided to make the switch to solid shampoo and conditioner bars, and to package them in cardboard boxes.
To help with this, I ran a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2013. I then launched our now best selling and award winning shampoo and conditioner bars at the end of that year.
The full range of our liquid conditioners became refillable when we opened our zero waste refill shop in Bristol in 2019.
To be able to offer refills to our online customers, we then started doing refills in biodegradable packaging for online orders.
Sadly we've now closed our refill store post-Covid, but are proud to still offer the biodegradable refill pouches on our online store today.
The pouches are made from a bio-plastic that will disintegrate in 2-5 years into environmentally benign matter and come packaged in a recyclable cardboard box.
This means that our customers only have to buy a refillable bottle once to refill time and time again.
At least 20,000 bottles saved
Research shows it takes about 1 ton of plastic to make 20,000 plastic bottles.
We’ve worked out that we've saved well over 20,000 bottles since Hairy Jayne went plastic free, through offering our conditioner and shampoo bars and refillable hair care online to customers.
And this amount is just from our online sales. We also sell at events around the UK, through various marketplaces and to several refill shops around the UK.
It also doesn’t include the other refillable and plastic free alternatives that we have that aren’t shampoo or conditioner.
So it's very likely we've actually saved way more than 20,000!
I’m proud to have saved so much plastic from going to landfill over the years. Especially as Hairy Jayne is such a tiny business, run solely by me (Jayne!).
And it isn't just plastic
Not only do we love saving plastic at Hairy Jayne, water is a factor in what we do, too.
Our shampoo and conditioner bars contain no water, and our shampoo concentrate has a heavily reduced water content of only 30%. Traditional shampoos are typically around 80-90% water.
Our shampoo and conditioner bars contain no water, and our shampoo concentrate has a heavily reduced water content of only 30%. Traditional shampoos are typically around 80-90% water.
Traditional shampoo was originally made in bottles with a high water content so that they were big and more eye-catching on retail shelves.
But it’s become apparent to consumers that the high water content means a higher carbon footprint – and in turn more packaging and more weight being shipped.
And why ship water from the manufacturer to the customer when there’s plenty of water in their shower!?
Our mission is to constantly improve our products so that they do as little harm to the planet as possible, while creating really good hair care that smells really good, too.
Where to find our refills and plastic free hair care
The easiest place to find our refills and plastic free hair care is online through our website where we have the entire range in one place.
We have very easy-to-use refill options for your favourite hair care products, so that you can reuse your existing bottles and pumps or lids to reduce your environmental footprint. We also sell other hair refreshers and natural soap bars online.
Everything is posted in completely plastic free packaging, straight to your door.
We're also stocked in a few select stores dotted around the UK. Many stock our solid bars, and some have our liquid conditioners on tap at their refill station.
Check our stockist page for the most up-to-date list of locations carrying Hairy Jayne plastic free hair care.
It's a good idea to check ahead with them to see what they have in stock before making the journey there with your bottle.
They will be more than happy to welcome you in joining the mission to create a more sustainable future. The more of us that make the effort to reduce plastic in the home, at least in the bathroom to begin with, the more 'normal' it will become.
Wrapping it up (sustainably!)
The urgency and need to switch to sustainable, plastic free alternatives in our lives, and in our hair care routines, is clear.
By making conscious choices and choosing to refuse or refill, you will significantly reduce your plastic footprint over time, and ultimately contribute to a healthier planet and greener future for everyone.