Merici College Green Tip #27 - Green and Clean!

Solid soap uses up to 20 times less packaging and is usually available in basic biodegradable cardboard packaging.

Continuing the theme of easy switches and actions that can be taken at home to reduce both cost and ecological impact, solid soap is an obvious choice over liquid soap.  

Why?

  • Solid soap uses up to 20 times less packaging and is usually available in basic biodegradable cardboard packaging. Choosing solid soaps over liquid soap therefore avoids a large amount of unnecessary plastic waste from being generated by households. 
  • Bar soap requires less energy and water to manufacture, as well as less energy to transport. 
  • Choosing bar soap reduces your personal chemical exposure as well as the amount of chemicals in the environment that directly impact aquatic and other life. Bar soap is made with three primary ingredients: oil/fat, water, and lye. Compare this to the list of ingredients from a bottle of body wash pictured.

With less packaging, fewer ingredients and lower transport costs, bar soap also costs less to buy. Another win for the environment and your household economy!

​If you want to go even further, shampoo and conditioner bars are also available for your hair.

 

Felicity Maher
Sustainability Officer

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