It’s well understood that opting for sustainable products benefits the environment. But does this choice mean sacrificing style? Not at all! Nowadays, eco-friendly items are undergoing significant enhancements, allowing consumers to embrace sustainable alternatives without any compromise. Canadian brand Better Basics is at the forefront of this movement.
Fashionable and eco-friendly?
An essential factor in anyone’s journey toward sustainability is assessing whether these changes can be maintained in the long run.
The fact is, there’s a special satisfaction in using products that please our senses—those that are pleasing to touch, fragrant, visually appealing in our surroundings, and genuinely effective. Discovering such eco-conscious products is truly rewarding.
Transform your space into a sanctuary
Samantha Rayner, the founder and CEO of Better Basics, is at the helm of a Vancouver-based initiative dedicated to minimizing waste while creating sustainable products that are enjoyable to use. Rayner understands the necessity of finding products that align with our expectations.
“At Better Basics, we aim to enhance your product experience and engage your senses. We strive to transform your home into a sanctuary,” Rayner states.
Better Basics offers signature refill products, including hand soap, dish soap, and cleaning sprays, along with elegant stainless steel containers available in three chic colors for the refills. This means that Better Basics products not only provide delightful scent and impressive performance but are also aesthetically pleasing.
“Our design philosophy is minimalism. We don’t believe in overwhelming packaging that shouts for attention,” Rayner shares with a laugh. By consciously reducing visual clutter in our living spaces, we can achieve a sense of serenity.
In addition to their refillable offerings, Better Basics also features beautifully designed shampoo, conditioner, cleaning brushes, and cloth bags.
#doingbetter
However, the mission of Better Basics transcends mere appearances. “Creating Better Basics is my heartfelt contribution to the world,” Rayner reveals. Following the loss of both her parents to cancer, she became committed to healthier living. Consequently, health and sustainability are central to the formulation and packaging of Better Basics products.
For instance, Rayner emphasizes the use of biodegradable ingredients like coconut surfactant, olive oil, and pure essential oils. All offerings are cruelty-free, ensuring they do not undergo animal testing and exclude sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic colors, or fragrances.
The refillable packaging minimizes plastic usage by 80% compared to standard containers and features an exterior made entirely of recycled paper. Other materials utilized in their products and packaging include recyclable aluminum tubes, bamboo, and organic cotton.
So far, Rayner estimates that the company has diverted approximately 1.2 million pieces of plastic from landfills. Looking ahead, she envisions further expansion of Better Basics’ product range and partnerships with more retailers, all part of their ongoing commitment to #doingbetter, both today and in the years to come.
· Choosing refills helps decrease plastic packaging and other materials that demand resources. When packaging is necessary, it may be more recyclable (or potentially compostable).
· Refilling allows for personalized selection of dispensers, enabling them to align with individual style.
· Often, you can purchase just the right amount you need, which can lead to savings!
· Many products are designed with sustainable sourcing and human rights considerations in mind, making them more ethical as well as eco-friendly.
· Eco-conscious items such as reusable water bottles or cloth bags can be utilized numerous times, reducing the need for single-use products.
Surprisingly, more than you might expect! While not all options are available through Better Basics, here are a few personal care and household refill products you can find—either online, at specific refill stores, or natural health retailers:
· hand soap
· dish soap
· all-purpose cleaner
· shampoo
· conditioner
· body lotion
· body wash
· laundry detergent
· washing soda
· cleaning vinegar
· essential oils
· carrier oils
Here are some suggestions to organize refillable products in a manner that enhances, rather than disrupts, your home’s décor.
· Start by minimizing. Consider if all items need to be on display, or if some can be tucked away (for instance, having soap pump containers on the counter, while keeping refills beneath the sink).
· Establish designated spots for everything, and return items to their places after use to keep clutter at bay.
· Consider investing in attractive containers for your refill products. For example, utilize stylish glass spray bottles from thrift stores; incorporate colors and patterns creatively in your guest bathrooms, while maintaining a neutral aesthetic in the kitchen to blend seamlessly with your décor.
Not every container is suitable for safe cleaning and reuse. Certain ones may retain residues from previous products. Caution is crucial, and never mix cleaning agents.
Rayner points out that a mere 9 percent of plastic waste is successfully recycled. This statistic serves as a reminder that even when we think something can be recycled, there’s no guarantee it will be.
Canadians produce over 3 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, with most of it ending up in landfills, converted to energy, or, unfortunately, in the environment, where it jeopardizes wildlife and contaminates water sources. It is vital to remain conscious of what we use and its eventual fate.
Rayner recognizes that shopping for refills in physical stores can be tricky at times. One advantage of Better Basics’ model is the convenience of having products delivered directly to your doorstep, making refill shopping more manageable for busy families. Subscription options are also available, relieving customers from having to remember to reorder. Additionally, these products can be found at various retailers for in-person shopping.
