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We are drowning in plastic.

From beauty products to grocery bags to water bottles to our daily cup of coffee, plastic is present in every aspect of our lives. Most of these items are designed to be used once and thrown away, usually heading to the landfill.

Some of the plastic that we think can be recycled, like drink lids, straws and utensils, end up in the landfill because they're either too difficult to recycle or there's no market for the end products. Even recyclable plastic such as water bottles are becoming harder to recycle.

The most effective approach to reducing our plastic waste is to REFUSE, REDUCE, and REUSE.

In January 2019, GreenWorks spearheaded the creation of the Plastics Reduction Task Force -- a group of motivated volunteers dedicated to reducing single-use plastic in our environment. 
​
Join the plastic-free movement and break free from the plastic ties that bind us.
Donate now for a plastic-free future
Mind Your Plastic May is meant to encourage and challenge us in our journey to live plastic free. These posts are created by GreenWorks staff, Plastic Reduction Task Force volunteers, and other plastic-free advocates in Buncombe County. If you've found these posts helpful and encouraging, please consider making a donation to support this work. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
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Himalayan Salt Deoderant

5/21/2020

3 Comments

 
By Leslie Hayes

​You may be interested in switching to a natural deodorant for many reasons. You may be trying to avoid plastic packaging; maybe you’re concerned about aluminum or other chemicals in commercially available antiperspirants. Perhaps, you just have really sensitive skin.


Many people turn to DIY deodorant preparations, almost all of which contain baking soda.  However, baking soda is a base with a significantly higher pH level than our skin.  Using baking soda-based deodorants often results in a rash — sometimes first appearing after several weeks of use — which makes your armpits feel like they are on fire.  If you can tolerate deodorants made with baking soda, great.  If not, read on for a simpler solution.
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A Himalayan salt deodorant bar/stone is usually sold as a round or egg-shaped chunk of pure Himalayan salt. It is as easy to use as crystal deodorant (alum stone), while avoiding any concerns about aluminum salts.  You simply get the bar wet and then rub it onto your skin. Avoid painful scratches by rubbing the wet bar on your hands first, then rubbing your wet hands on the more delicate skin of your armpits.  You are left with a layer of salt on your skin that prevents odor-causing bacteria from forming. When I first heard about using salt as deodorant, I did not believe there was any chance it could be effective. But in my experience, it holds up to sweaty workouts and lasts all day. It works better for me than any other natural deodorant I have tried.  Note that this is not an antiperspirant; you will still sweat, the salt stone just eliminates the odor.

Some additional advantages of salt deodorant:
  • Inexpensive — one bar lasts 1-2 years
  • Convenient — no concoction to mix yourself
  • Great for travel
  • No suspicious ingredients, just pure salt 
    • it’s anti-inflammatory and may even help with eczema, acne, or psoriasis
  • 100% zero waste: available package-free at Asheville Salt Cave (or search “Himalayan salt deodorant” on Etsy or Amazon)
  • It’s beautiful!

Whatever reason you choose for switching to Himalayan salt deodorant, you are likely to pleasantly surprised. In the spirit of Mind Your Plastic May, why not give this all-natural alternative a try?
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Leslie lives in Asheville with her husband, David, and son, Lee. She is always looking for ways to approach zero waste, especially with respect to plastic. She is a member of the Plastic Reduction Task Force.


3 Comments
Megan
8/6/2020 07:53:30 pm

This is so interesting! Do you know of any locations that sell this in Asheville?

Reply
Joe Deo link
10/16/2020 10:26:01 am

Now this is one unique deodorant. Might try someday

Reply
Novique Medical Aesthetics link
3/22/2021 11:43:06 am

The most effective approach to reducing our plastic waste is to REFUSE, REDUCE, and REUSE. We must need to do this by doing it we can help reduce pollution and create a better world.

Reply



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​Asheville GreenWorks is a 501(c)3 non-profit environmental organization, governed by a Board of Directors. Established in 1973, GreenWorks mission is to inspire, equip and mobilize individuals and communities to take care of the places we love to live.
  • Hard 2 Recycle
  • Programs
    • Bee City USA Asheville >
      • Native Pollinator Plants and Nurseries
      • Pollination Celebration
      • Pollinator Garden Certification
    • Rivers & Roads >
      • Adopt-a-Street
      • Clean Streams Day
      • Cleanup Supply Stations
      • Trash Trout
      • WNC Big Sweep
    • Education
    • Urban Forestry >
      • Adopt-a-Spot
      • Cool Green Asheville
      • Food Tree Project
      • RRI
      • Tree Nursery
      • Treasured Trees >
        • Treasured Trees Calendar
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      • Composting Information
      • Flip Your Lid
      • Plastics Reduction Task Force
      • Recycling Information
      • Smash Don't Trash
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