Zero Waste: Aline Gubri at ENHG

The world's dangerous addiction to plastic is well-publicized, with plastic being found in the most remote regions of the Antarctic and even in the Marianna Trench. In April, the ENHG had the privilege of a lecture from Aline Gubri, a specialist in the zero-waste lifestyle. 

Aline holds a Master's Degree in Sustainable Development from La Sorbonne University (Paris), and has consulted on zero waste and sustainable practices in the United States, France and around the world. Her 2017 book "Zero Plastic Zero Toxic" has sold over 14,000 copies, and is a practical guide to reducing waste and getting over our addiction to plastic to reduce our environmental impact and protect our health. 

Image from here.

Her blog Consommons Sainement (consume healthily) shares advice and tips on responsible consumption, zero waste and minimalism in a common-sense way that has attracted a community of 50,000 regular readers.

Refuse, Refuse, Refuse

The 4 principles of living a low-waste lifestyle are the 4 R's: refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle or compost. Of these, refuse is the most important, since it eliminates the need for down-stream processing altogether. Bringing a cloth bag to the store, refusing plastic food containers and utensils, and using a refillable water bottle go a long way to eliminating much of our plastic 'footprint.' 

Still, since most of the products and foods we use come in plastic packaging, it seems impossible to go any further. 

That's where Aline's tips come in. She proposed some ingenious, tried and true substitutions for store-bought products, including: 

Deodorant: Warm 6 tsp coconut oil and 4 tsp baking soda, then thicken with corn starch as needed. 

Soap: ditch the shower gel and use good, old-fashioned bar soap. 

Moisturizer: use sesame, hazelnut or avocado oil. Aloe vera gel works nicely, too. Simply apply a few drops and rub in. This also works to condition your hair, left in overnight and then washed off the next morning--with solid shampoo, of course. Shampoo bars are sold at Lush stores across the Emirates. 

To moisturize lips, feet and hands, Aline suggested Shea butter, a rich moisturizer from the shea nut. 

To clear up spots, mix a teaspoon of honey with a few drops of lemon and leave on the skin for a few minutes. 

Health Risks and Plastic

Not only is plastic clogging up waterways and natural areas around the world, it also leaches toxins into our bodies continuously. The highest-risk behaviours Aline talked about are: 

1) Canned food--tins are coated with plastic inside, so ditch canned food and go for glass bottles instead. 

2) Oil in plastic bottles. Again, opt for glass wherever possible. 

3) Using plastic at high temperatures. Never store hot food in plastic containers, and likewise never pop a plastic container of food in the microwave to heat it up. 

Aline's blog consommonssainement.com has hundreds of other tricks and tips for eliminating plastic and its toxins from your life. If French is not your preferred reading language, just use Google Translate!