to local charities or organizations . Office furniture , supplies and equipment , food , unwanted testers , robes and sheets — anything you replace can be donated to those in need .
Wondering what to do with all those extra amenities such as shampoos and conditioners ? Your local homeless shelter , domestic violence shelter , food pantry or community nonprofit would be grateful to receive them .
Another option is to send extra toiletries to our troops deployed overseas through Operation : Care and Comfort . Since 2003 , OCC has distributed more than 1,000,000 pounds of donated toiletries !
Nix Disposables
Limiting the use of disposable items is a significant step toward sustainability . Did you know that a cotton ball takes about 17 ounces of water — about the volume of a large water bottle — to grow ? This doesn ’ t even include the processing , which uses more . Even disposable products that many believe are eco-friendly contribute to waste production .
Luckily , there are many reusable options for traditionally disposable
amenities . Reusable cleansing cloths can save over two thousand cotton balls a year and can be easily tossed in a washable bag at the end of the day with other towels and linens . You can even consider replacing disposable razors with bamboo or wood razors , and affordable reusable combs can be purchased in place of plastic .
Proper Disposable is Key
Personal care and beauty products may seem safe enough for everyday use , but they often require special disposal . Never pour hazardous
materials down the sink or dispose of them with the regular trash . Those materials can harm customers , employees and the environment by directly impacting the quality of the groundwater . Acetone and aerosols must be disposed of properly to avoid expensive penalties and harm to the environment . Another hazardous material , disinfectants , can be easily swapped for non-toxic industrialstrength products that are ecofriendly . And the next time you ’ re about to toss out those old batteries , considering donating them ( see tip above ).
Purchase Refillable Supplies
Shampoos , conditioners , lotions , and cleaning supplies — there are endless ways to incorporate biodegradable , organic , and bulk options into your spa and guest room offerings . There ’ s also the added bonus that these brands use packaging made of 100 % recycled material that you can transfer to glass pumps . Using these refillable options will reduce the waste from the small amenity bottles that can sit in landfills for years . n
THE TAKEAWAY : Addressing sustainability and incorporating eco-friendly practices into your spa ’ s operations doesn ’ t have to be complicated
or expensive . Remember : Sustainability is a practice , and every step we make in that direction contributes to a greener world .
DANIELLE CONTE is the founder of Conscious Coconut--the producer of hand-pressed , small-batch , fair trade , organic coconut oil that gives back .
APRIL 2021 ■ PULSE 47