A Few Words from Clare about Soap

In my U.S. Environmental History course this term, I was assigned to read "The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman (which I highly recommend). It exposed a scary truth about human invention; human beings have actually created something that will remain intact in the environment for an indefinite amount of time. The book explains that every single piece of plastic that has been created in the last fifty years, since its invention, still remains in the environment. Furthermore, there is no sign that any plastic will actually biodegrade, even after it has been reduced to small fragments. We use plastics everyday: in bags, bottles, containers, wrappers, and numerous other things. Plastics have become a fundamental material for modern life. However, I'd like to suggest is an easy and simple way to do a little to reduce your impact on the environment. Think about soap! Alan Weisman has forever changed the way I will shop for soap, and I hope I can convince you to change too. Next time you go to the store to buy body soap, read the bottle. If it doesn't say "100% natural exfolients", stop! Read the ingredients. If you see the word 'polyethylene' anywhere, do NOT buy it. This means that the exfoliating granuals in the soap are made of plastic. Yes, plastic. A scientist interviewed by Alan Weisman explains this best: "They're selling plastic meant to go right down the drain, into the sewers, into the rivers, right into the ocean. Bite-size pieces of plastic to be swallowed by little sea creatures" (147). There is no need to use soap that hurts our environment when there are alternatives that do not. It may seem small and insubstantial, but remember, those tiny bits of plastic will not ever wash away. So next time, think before you scrub!

Clare

4/09

Comments

[Suzy]

It is amazing what goes into these products and you don't even realise it. I try to be as good as I can in trying to avoid different things and lowering my carbon footprint but its very hard having to look at everything and sometimes its hard to avoid. Plastics are the worst and they are everywhere - I can't quite figure out why are local supermarkethas ban plastic bags but still wraps up their cabbages in - Yes a plastic bag. You'd thing the dodo birds would know that God gave the humble cabbage its own protective layer. I will have to read Alan Weisman's work sounds very good. Now I going to check that the handmade soap with all natural ingrediants is just that

[Michele]

That was interesting, Clare, thanks for posting. I did not know that about soap. I try to do my bit for our big blue mother, so I will definitely read the ingredients before buying.

[Caron]

Thanks Clare. I'll certainly check my soap and spread the word ;)

[Nicole]

Also whitening toothpaste has the same ingredients as the little whitening beads are made of the same thing.

My bodywash was OK, but my toothpaste has that ingredient in it as well as my facewash.

[Kath]

Well i never knew that !! Thanks Clare, soap checks from now on i think !

[Michelle]

I ran across your mom's blog while browsing the Internet and reading about one of my favorite people, your Uncle John. I'm so glad you posted this note about Alan Weisman's book! It should be required reading for everybody! I have been making handcrafted soap for the last 10 years or so after finding out not only what manufactured soap does to the environment, but what it does to your skin! Glycerin, which occurs naturally during the soapmaking process and which is good for the skin, is extracted by soap manufacturers so it an be used in different products like body lotion, creams, etc. So...while soap should naturally moisturize your skin, it instead dries it out so you have to buy a SECOND product to moisturize. Handmade soaps are by far the best product you can buy -- you can buy them at places like World Market or sometimes even your local grocery store. They're a bit pricier, but think of all the lotions and creams you won't have to buy anymore!

[Clare]

I'm glad that you all care so much about the environment. There are so many little things we can all do to help the planet! I wish stores in the United States would stop using plastic bags.

[Kath]

There having a crack down on supermarkets using plastic bags in the UK. Everyone is aiming to be rid of them by next year, as everyone now manufactuers re-usable ones. Sadly where i work has the highest percentage rate of plastic bags still being used :( A few of the clothes shops have already converted to paper bags too.

Kath

[Hollie]

Really amazing to think about. I know when I took my environmental science class, the whole issue of older style Scotchguard sprays came up - explained here: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/scotchgard-to-halt-production-of-sprays-715862.html

but basically, something else that gets everywhere whether you intended it to or not. Thanks for the info!