Are you using reusable soap?

Jennifer Chait — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:59:22 +0000

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 a mess of bar soap, but is fine with a pump. We bought two plain old glass soap pumps and refill them when needed. Our pumps have lasted for years and through three moves, so they’re soild (and I think we only paid like $5 for each.) You can use a refillable bottle and refill it with bulk hand soap from the co-op intead of buying new bulk bottles too, which can lower your trash impact even more.

If you want to take reusable soap one step further you should know that many natural grocers and co-ops carry shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and more in their bulk health care area. For very little money you can buy refillable bottles and fill them up when needed. It’s cheaper and greener. Most of the times places that sell bulk soap offer natrual and organic soaps too, so fewer toxins.