Without a doubt, the excessive consumption of plastics is one of the main problems we have to face when it comes to protecting the environment around us. That's why, at Maminat, we want to emphasize the importance of saying 'goodbye to plastic' forever, or at least significantly reducing plastic consumption.

Although more and more people are aware of reducing their consumption, the truth is that global plastic production has increased exponentially from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million in 2015, according to data provided by National Geographic.

In 2015, only 9% of plastics were recycled, 12% incinerated, and 79% ended up being abandoned in landfills or in the environment.

Although recycling is very important for the reuse of raw materials, and therefore for the circular economy, the truth is that it is better to reduce our consumption than to consume it and then recycle it.

Types of plastic present in our daily lives

We know that saying 'goodbye to plastic' is very complicated. We live surrounded by plastic constantly: in product packaging, food packaging, clothing...

Specifically, there are three types of plastics that we can find just by opening our eyes. At Maminat, we mention the most common ones:

• Polyethylene (PE): They are often present in plastic bags, abrasive products, and even in the microbeads of cosmetics, so often used for exfoliants, shower gels, or toothpaste.
• Polyester (PET): This is the plastic found in containers, bottles, and clothing, among others.
• Polypropylene (PP): These may be the most difficult to avoid. They are present in appliances, vehicle components, and even in the furniture we usually use for the garden.

Most plastic is used for manufacturing packaging, i.e., for single-use products. Hence, it is very important to try to avoid consuming all products that come in plastic packaging: whether it's food, clothing, or cosmetics.

Tips to reduce plastic consumption in our daily lives

After learning this data, you are probably interested in starting to reduce plastic consumption in your daily life, and at Maminat, we want to help you achieve it. That's why we have prepared a small list of tips to gradually say 'goodbye to plastic'.

1. Use water filters. In addition to the economic and time cost of going to the supermarket in search of water, it also poses a real environmental problem due to the large amount of plastic generated. Whenever possible, it is preferable to get water from a public drinking water source. If not possible, you can always buy a water filter to drink directly from the tap.
2. Do not use plastic bags. More and more stores are choosing to offer paper bags instead of plastic. However, if you want to be safe, we advise you to always carry a cloth bag or a large tote bag to put your purchases in. And avoid wasting small plastic bags for buying fruit or vegetables!
3. Avoid cosmetics with plastic microparticles. Although natural cosmetics are increasingly on the rise, many traditional cosmetic brands still use plastic microparticles in their formulations. Always opt for products that do not have plastic microparticles, such as those we offer at Maminat, natural and organic cosmetics.
4. Opt for solid cosmetics or in reusable containers. If you have already chosen natural cosmetics over traditional ones, congratulations! Now it's time to go a step further and decide to opt for solid cosmetics, like Maminat's solid conditioner, or in glass containers. At Maminat, we offer very competitive prices so you can take care of yourself and the environment without affecting your pocket.
5. Reject plastic packaging. Small plastic packets for cookies, coffee capsules, plastic over-packaging, plastic containers for detergents, pasta, cosmetics... say goodbye to them! Whenever possible, opt to buy products that have no packaging or whose packaging is made of glass so you can give it a second life. Opting for bulk purchases is also an option to consider to avoid plastic packaging.
6. Recycle everything you consume. It is always better to reduce than to recycle, but if you cannot do without certain things, remember the importance of recycling. Plastic containers should always be placed in the yellow bin, and other plastics in a clean point. Recycle and promote the circular economy!

What do we do at Maminat to reduce plastic consumption?

At Maminat, we care deeply about the environment. Therefore, our fight against plastic consumption is constant, not only in the daily lives of all of us who make up the Maminat team, but also in our business, which is even more complicated.

Although it is a significant cost for Maminat to package all our cosmetics in glass containers (more expensive than plastic containers) and offer them at a competitive price, the truth is that we couldn't be happier to promote cosmetics in reusable containers!

Thanks to this, we have managed to reduce plastic consumption on our planet a little more! However, opting for glass, wood, or aluminum containers instead of plastic is not the only thing Maminat does to say 'goodbye to plastic'.

The labels of all our products are made with mineral paper, thus avoiding the use of unnecessary plastic. Does this mean they come off easily? Not at all! They are waterproof, grease-resistant, and more durable than usual.

None of our products come over-packaged. Your order will arrive at your shipping address in a single recycled cardboard box, with no trace of plastic in it.

In Spain, 50% of packaging ends up in landfills. Helping to prevent this from happening is the responsibility of companies and also yours. At Maminat, we have already done our part, now it's your turn!