I have been absent from this page for a while, but I am now determined to start posting regularly again, and what better day to start back up than Earth Day 2019! Earth day was first celebrated in 1970 on April 22 and is now celebrated each year with events hosted around the globe. One particular event that is worth highlighting is the signing of the Paris Agreement on Earth Day 2016. The Paris Agreements long term goal was to limit the increase in global temperature to no greater than 1.5 °C by focusing on mitigating greenhouse-gas emissions. Sadly many nations are well short of meeting their commitments and targets, however, interestingly the tide may be turning with a prominent mining company in Australia recently threatening to pull out of the Minerals Council if it does not support the Paris Agreement targets.
Now for this blog I don't want to get bogged down on the issues of greenhouse gases or climate change, but I did want to highlight a great new product that can help the average person live a more sustainable lifestyle on a day to day basis. So lets talk about Biork .... no not Bjork, Biork, marketed as the worlds first ecological crystal stick deodorant. There has been a recent push to steer away from traditional deodorants for a range of reasons, including environmental impacts, health, and economics. Despite claims on many sites across the internet about traditional deodorants that contain aluminium chloride causing cancer, these claims are not fully supported by scientific research with many studies showing conflicting results. Despite this, the environmental impact of deodorant cannot be ignored. The vast majority of deodorants in the market come in non-recyclable packaging, in particular plastic. The longevity of the average deodorant is also very short lived meaning the average person will go through several of these deodorants a year, all ending up in landfill. This is where Biork really sets itself a part. Not only is the packaging completely recyclable/natural, made from cork, but the crystal stick itself is extremely long-lived, outlasting the average deodorant by an order of magnitude. Furthermore, the product itself is not tested on animals unlike many mainstream cosmetics/deodorants. Another great initiative by the company that produces Biork, is the promotion of Upcycling. The cork packaging is great for re-using rather than just re-cycling, and the company provides some handy tips, such as using them as plant pots, and for storage particularly for small, loose items. I have personally used a range of natural, eco-friendly deodorants, and can honestly say I have had mixed results with many of them, including many causing a worse odour than if I wore nothing at all. I have had no such issues with Biork and would readily recommend this product to anyone looking for a more eco-friendly solution. I understand sometimes cost can be an issue for people when transitioning to new products, and the upfront cost of Biork is higher than most other deodorants on the market, however, it lasts far longer and will pay itself off in no time. Alternatively, there are a range of other options on the market, including many sites providing cheap DIY deodorant recipes (largely using ingredients such as coconut oil, bicarb soda etc. although I am yet to try any of these). So this Earth Day, why not make a commitment to start reducing your use of plastic on a daily basis by transitioning to a more eco-friendly deodorant!
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AuthorMy name is Garry and I am extremely passionate about the environment. I have completed my BSc. Conservation and Wildlife Biology with First Class Honours and have worked in the Environment sector since 2009. Archives
October 2019
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Photos used under Creative Commons from Local Food Initiative, mitchell haindfield, everyoneisgone, Montgomery County Planning Commission, Takashi(aes256), ilyayakubovich.com