Plastic pumps of hand soap are an eco-baddie. Not only are you continually buying new soap containers, but not all parts of the pump are always recyclable. For example, said pump. These sorts of containers also have labels, packaging at times, and cost you ongoing money.

Better choices for hand soap for the kitchen or bath include:
Unpackaged soap bought at the co-op or farmers market. No packaging, no waste, but a little messy at times, especially with kids, but still a better choice than plastic pumps.
[image via stock.xchng]
Refillable soap pumps. This is what we use at my house. My son makes …read more

 I got an email today with a recipe for a DIY Eco Chic soap.    I think this would be great for making personalized gifts for this coming Christmas season.
Materials:
Herbs, oatmeal, coffee, spirulina, clay, or charcoal
1 pound (16 ounces)Bramble Berry ‘melt and pour’ soap, organic base
1 ounce essential oil (we used lavender and eucalyptus)
Soap mold (or Tupperware, or anything you find like an empty yogurt
container, old tofu container, empty soy milk container, etc.)
Rubbing Alcohol
1. Prep your herbs and make sure they are the right size for gentle exfoliation. Sharp herbs may be too abrasive on the skin.
2. Cut the ‘melt and …read more