In some ways, the pandemic has been good for the environment. Heavy industries slowed down and there have been fewer cars on the road. But environmentalists have also sounded the alarm about the increased use of single-use plastics, as more people buy disposable items out of concern for their safety.
In the home, this has meant more plastic water bottles, hand sanitisers and wipes, packaged foods and the ubiquitous disposable face mask.
While the recycling movement has gone from strength to strength, picking up converts along the way, studies show that most people are still unaware of the amount of plastic waste they generate in their bathrooms.
With a wooden toothbrush, you won't even be able to tell the difference while brushing, but it has such a big environmental impact
Sukriti Verma,
co-founder of Shift Eco
According to Recycle Now, while 90 per cent of packaging is recycled in kitchens in the UK, only 50 per cent is being recycled in the bathroom and, consequently, accounts for 30 to 40 per cent of total landfill waste.
It is time, then, to turn to alternative and eco-friendly personal-care products – from shampoo and toothpaste to deodorants. Thankfully, to help us with this, a number of brands and websites have sprung up in the UAE to cater to those looking for sustainable products that are good for the environment as well as overall well-being.
Eco-friendly shops in the UAE
Sukriti Verma and Namrata Budhraja launched Shift Eco, a website that sells eco-friendly products in the UAE, in October 2020, after they discovered how easy it was to make small changes that have a big environmental impact.
“It all started when Namrata picked up a wooden toothbrush from a supermarket,” Verma recalls. "Then we started thinking if this were such an easy change to make, why aren’t more people doing this?"
The problem, they found, was availability, or the lack thereof.
“There was no place where you could find plant-friendly products. And if we did find them, a lot of them were extremely expensive or of poor quality,” says Verma. Also, she adds, many of them were greenwashed.
“Greenwashing is basically false claims companies make about their eco-friendly products, while in reality they aren’t, from production techniques to ingredients and packaging,” says Verma. “It’s a huge problem.”
Shift Eco now stocks more than 1,000 products, spanning personal care, home care, baby products, accessories and food.
Pallavi Santhapuram, a civil engineer who founded the Eco Loop online shop four years ago, made the shift to a more eco-friendly lifestyle after studying environmental design for green buildings.
“When I was trying to change my habits, I couldn’t find much in terms of products to help me make the shift,” she says. “That’s what made me start sourcing these products, first for myself, then my friends. Once I realised there was a demand, the website was born.”
The products on Eco Loop touch every aspect of your life, she says, from kitchen products to organic cotton bags and storybooks for kids about eco-friendly warriors, made from recycled paper.
Making your bathroom plastic-free is easier than you think, says Verma. “First look at some of the products you use every day and consider the alternatives,” she says. “Then, you can slowly start working your way to all the products in the home.”
Oral care
The most obvious and easy change to make, says Verma, is the toothbrush. “We go through so many toothbrushes in a year and most of the products on shop shelves are made of plastic. With a wooden one, you won’t even be able to tell the difference while brushing, but it has such a big environmental impact,” she says.
A plastic toothbrush will take up to 400 years to decompose, according to a research by Tap Warehouse, the UK retailer of bathroom sinks, taps and accessories.
Santhapuram says plastics from toothbrushes often end up in landfill because they are too thin and tiny, and not economically viable to recycle. “Sometimes they get stuck in the machines. So they are often ignored and just left in landfill where they will be for hundreds of years. Bamboo toothbrushes, on the other hand, can be easily composted in your backyard.”
Most toothpaste brands also use plastic packaging. Verma suggests shifting to toothpaste tablets that come in cardboard packaging. “They are as natural as they get, use much less water to produce and work exactly the same way as your regular toothpaste in a tube.”
Deodorants
Another personal care staple is deodorant, many of which contain harmful gas propellants or come in plastic packaging. Look instead to deodorant creams that come in glass jars, which are reusable and refillable or can be repurposed after use.
Shift Eco also sells deodorants that come in compostable paper packaging.
“You’ll be surprised that a small stick can last you up to three to four months, meaning that the packaging is being maximised, unlike other deodorants, where the actual product is so proportionately less given the size of the packaging,” says Verma.
In the shower
Ditch the plastic container, even if it claims to have been recycled, and look at shampoo bars instead, recommends Verma.
“Shampoo bars are a lot more concentrated and will last longer than regular liquid shampoo in bottles. Average bottles of shampoo last up to 25 to 35 washes, while one bar lasts for up to 50 to 70 washes. So they are much more economical.”
Many of the shampoo bars on Shift Eco are made in the UAE, so you’re also supporting local business while reducing your environmental footprint, she adds.
The same goes for shower gels, most of which comes in plastic packaging.
Soap bars are another way to go and last much longer than liquid refills, says Santhapuram, whose Eco Loop sells natural sponge loofahs, made from vegetables.
“Many of the plastic varieties are made using synthetic fibres that contain microplastics and are harmful to the environment,” she says. Awareness is growing for environmentally friendly products, but old habits will take time to change, she adds.
“People are so used to picking up stuff at the supermarket without thinking about their long-term effects."
Face care
In 2017, a photograph of a sea horse tugging along a discarded plastic cotton swab by National Geographic photographer Justin Hofman went viral. The photo was a stark reminder of the state of our oceans, and also our joint responsibilities. Cotton balls, a major part of skincare routines, are also filling up landfills.
One option is to switch to cotton swabs made with sustainably grown bamboo or wood.
“Cotton is one of the most pesticide-filled crops,” says Santhapuram, who suggests the use of reusable pads made of bamboo fibre mixed with cotton. “You can just throw them into the washing machine and use them again.”
When it comes to make-up, Verma suggests picking brands that actively encourage recycling. “Brands such as Mac Cosmetics will let you return used containers and give you a discount for your next purchase,” she says.
Otherwise, go natural, says Santhapuram.
“Ultimately make-up [can] harm your skin because all these products have a lot of chemicals," she says. "And they all have an expiry date, which means you have to throw them away even before you finish using them.”
Santhapuram uses home-made products for her face, recipes for which she’s perfected over the years.
“I use dried orange peels, powder them and use them as scrubs. It works great as an exfoliator and removes tans, too. For disinfecting the skin, I use chickpea flour mixed with yogurt and a pinch of turmeric. It’s also great for acne.
“To soften the skin, absorb excessive oil and improve overall complexion, I use fuller’s earth, which is easily available.”
Feminine hygiene
Women use an average of four sanitary napkins a day during their periods, says Verma. “That’s approximately 20 pads a month, which is staggering considering they will stay in the environment for 500 years.”
She suggests picking brands that are largely plastic-free or turning to reusable menstrual cups. “Many of them are made from 100 per cent medical grade silicone, with no chemicals or plastics,” she says.
The bottom line
The biggest misconception about plastic-free or sustainable products, Santhapuram says, is that they are expensive.
“They’re not expensive. Yes, the price is a bit higher than what’s largely available but that’s because plastic is really cheap,” she points out. “But if we all prioritise good-quality natural products rather than just buying more products, the prices will also come down.”
- A version of this story was first published in April 2021
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Marital status: Single
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at Mount Maunganui
England 353
Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4-88
New Zealand 144-4
Williamson 51, S Curran 2-28
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
Story of 2017-18 so far and schedule to come
Roll of Honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia rugby season?
Western Clubs Champions League
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons
Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Dubai Exiles
Fixtures
Friday
West Asia Cup final
5pm, Bahrain (6pm UAE time), Bahrain v Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy final
3pm, The Sevens, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Sports City Eagles
Friday, April 13
UAE Premiership final
5pm, Al Ain, Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MORE ON IRAN'S PROXY WARS
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Key features of new policy
Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6
Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge
A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance, Assessment, Review and Analysis for Holistic Development) will form the standard for schools
Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
MATCH SCHEDULE
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tuesday, April 24 (10.45pm)
Liverpool v Roma
Wednesday, April 25
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid (10.45pm)
Europa League semi-final, first leg
Thursday, April 26
Arsenal v Atletico Madrid (11.05pm)
Marseille v Salzburg (11.05pm)
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor
Power: 843hp at N/A rpm
Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km
On sale: October to December
Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)
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Results
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStage%207%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Adam%20Yates%20(GBR)%20UAE%20Team%20Emirates%20%E2%80%93%203hrs%2029min%2042ses%3Cbr%3E2.%20Remco%20Evenepoel%20(BEL)%20Soudal%20Quick-Step%20%E2%80%93%2010sec%3Cbr%3E3.%20Geoffrey%20Bouchard%20(FRA)%20AG2R%20Citroen%20Team%20%E2%80%93%2042sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EGeneral%20Classification%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Remco%20Evenepoel%20(BEL)%20Soudal%20Quick-Step%3Cbr%3E2.%20Lucas%20Plapp%20(AUS)%20Ineos%20Grenaders%20%E2%80%93%2059se%3Cbr%3E3.%20Adam%20Yates%20(GBR)%20UAE%20Team%20Emirates%20%E2%80%9360sec%3Cbr%3ERed%20Jersey%20(General%20Classification)%3A%20Remco%20Evenepoel%20(BEL)%20Soudal%20Quick-Step%3Cbr%3EGreen%20Jersey%20(Points%20Classification)%3A%20Tim%20Merlier%20(BEL)%20Soudal%20Quick-Step%3Cbr%3EWhite%20Jersey%20(Young%20Rider%20Classification)%3A%20Remco%20Evenepoel%20(BEL)%20Soudal%20Quick-Step%3Cbr%3EBlack%20Jersey%20(Intermediate%20Sprint%20Classification)%3A%20Edward%20Planckaert%20(FRA)%20Alpecin-Deceuninck%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Monday's results
- UAE beat Bahrain by 51 runs
- Qatar beat Maldives by 44 runs
- Saudi Arabia beat Kuwait by seven wickets
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Tips for used car buyers
- Choose cars with GCC specifications
- Get a service history for cars less than five years old
- Don’t go cheap on the inspection
- Check for oil leaks
- Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
- Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
- Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
- Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
- If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell
Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
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MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Which products are to be taxed?
To be taxed:
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
The major Hashd factions linked to Iran:
Badr Organisation: Seen as the most militarily capable faction in the Hashd. Iraqi Shiite exiles opposed to Saddam Hussein set up the group in Tehran in the early 1980s as the Badr Corps under the supervision of the Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The militia exalts Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei but intermittently cooperated with the US military.
Saraya Al Salam (Peace Brigade): Comprised of former members of the officially defunct Mahdi Army, a militia that was commanded by Iraqi cleric Moqtada Al Sadr and fought US and Iraqi government and other forces between 2004 and 2008. As part of a political overhaul aimed as casting Mr Al Sadr as a more nationalist and less sectarian figure, the cleric formed Saraya Al Salam in 2014. The group’s relations with Iran has been volatile.
Kataeb Hezbollah: The group, which is fighting on behalf of the Bashar Al Assad government in Syria, traces its origins to attacks on US forces in Iraq in 2004 and adopts a tough stance against Washington, calling the United States “the enemy of humanity”.
Asaeb Ahl Al Haq: An offshoot of the Mahdi Army active in Syria. Asaeb Ahl Al Haq’s leader Qais al Khazali was a student of Mr Al Moqtada’s late father Mohammed Sadeq Al Sadr, a prominent Shiite cleric who was killed during Saddam Hussein’s rule.
Harakat Hezbollah Al Nujaba: Formed in 2013 to fight alongside Mr Al Assad’s loyalists in Syria before joining the Hashd. The group is seen as among the most ideological and sectarian-driven Hashd militias in Syria and is the major recruiter of foreign fighters to Syria.
Saraya Al Khorasani: The ICRG formed Saraya Al Khorasani in the mid-1990s and the group is seen as the most ideologically attached to Iran among Tehran’s satellites in Iraq.
(Source: The Wilson Centre, the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation)
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