Treading lightly on this earth: a sustainable alternative to plastic
A sustainable future is at the heart of Sunday Soul. For founder Carol, becoming a mother in 2017 was the catalyst for a shift to a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. When searching for refillable storage options, Carol noticed that many personal care and cleaning items were either plastic or glass and unsuitable for children. After months of research working alongside suppliers that shared the same vision as hers, a sustainable alternative was found – aluminium.
During the time spent researching eco-friendly alternatives, Carol soon realised that not all materials are recycled equally. Unlike its counterpart plastic, aluminium is infinitely recyclable. The material truly is a closed loop, as it can be recycled back into itself. Unfortunately having plastic in the environment can lead to more problems, breaking down into microplastics and leaching chemicals from the material. In comparison, the material aluminium does not have these environmental issues.
When it comes to recycling, the main problem is incorrect disposal and the expense of recycling plastics. Only a relatively small percentage of plastic is actually recycled – it is estimated at 15% worldwide (1). A large amount of plastic is sent to landfill, taking hundreds of years to decompose or shredded into harmful microplastics. In comparison, aluminium is very easy to recycle and can be used an unlimited number of times. According to the Aluminium Association, it is one of the most recycled materials on the market. The positive news for our environment is that recycling aluminium saves more than 90% of the energy to produce new metal (2). Due to the value of aluminium, there is also an economic incentive to collect and recycle the material.
As aluminium is inherently lightweight, it consequently has a lower transportation footprint compared to plastic. This is a big advantage as transport is relatively easy and requires less fuel.
The result of these learnings? A stylish, yet sustainable alternative for your home. Sunday Soul’s range includes a Refillable Shower Bottle Set, as well as a Hand Wash and Lotion Bottle Set. Considered in design, the refillable 100% recyclable bottles with pump lids will look perfect in your bathroom, powder room, kitchen and laundry.
We invite you to explore a more mindful way of living and enjoy sustainable style with Sunday Soul. Browse the full range here
Source (1) Ecoreactor (www.ecoreactor.org)
Source (2) Forbes (www.forbes.com)