Think green, think environment, think your skin

We live in a convenient disposable world where wipes have been produced to make our life easier, but have you ever thought what happens to these when you dispose of them?

Wipes are flushed into sewage systems in huge numbers with alarming results. Wipes are not biodegradable and are designed to be much more durable than toilet paper. They are made of non-woven fabric and fibres which are bonded together without weaving them. The fibres consist of synthetic polymers such as polyester, polypropylene and polyethylene and to a lesser extent wood pulp, plant based viscose and cotton.

Alarmingly Water UK found that wipes made up 93% of the material causing 300,000 blockages in Britain’s sewers annually. They collect in wads that cause pumping station clogs which combine with fat, grease and oil go onto form FATBERGS that have blocked sewer pipes from London, Belfast, New York and Melbourne.

Notwithstanding that they are also detrimental to the skin by making it dryer, causing congestion and skin irritation (look at Skin Barrier Function).

So what is the alternative to washing our faces? 

Use a flannel that can be washed rather than disposed. Or use washable cleansing pads from www.lovetheplanet.co.uk. They can be washed and used many times.