Is Dove Body Wash Biodegradable? (7 reuses of Dove Body Wash bottles) 

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The article will discuss the biodegradability of Dove Body Wash while also discussing its sustainability aspects, ingredients, packaging, recycling, and reuse options. 

Is Dove Body Wash Biodegradable?

If we explore the case of Dove Body Wash, it is claimed that it is 98% biodegradable which means that it will break down into simpler materials such as water or carbon dioxide.

Biodegradation can be explained as the breakdown that is caused by the action of microbes. It is a natural strategy that is adopted by nature to make sure that there is no waste accumulation and that the world and the environment are saved from the detrimental effects of waste accumulation.

What makes Dove biodegradable?

Since it has been established that there is a direct link between the nature of ingredients and environmental factors such as biodegradation and eco-friendliness, it is rather imperative to deliberately go through and scrutinise the materials or ingredients that are relied upon in the making of Dove Body Wash. 

As per the official websites, the following ingredients play an active and important role in the making of Dove Body Wash.

  • Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate
  • Sodium Methyl Lauroyl Taurate
  • Cocamidopropyl Betaine
  • Sodium Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
  • Sodium Benzoate
  • Fragrance (Parfum)
  • Oils 
  • Glycerin 

It is claimed that about 98% of the ingredients used in Dove Body Wash are eco-friendly and non-toxic, let alone biodegradable. 

If we explore the Material Safety Data Sheet, this is what we get because the majority of the ingredients used to make Dove Body Wash are safe for the skin and the environment. 

How green is the packaging of Dove Body Wash?

The packaging of Dove Body Wash features the use of PCR material, usually plastic which is not as good as biodegradable packaging but it indeed is the next best thing. 

Packaging is perhaps the second most important element of any consumer product because every consumer product needs to be packed and handled so that it can travel from manufacturer to consumer. 

Packaging is also a very necessary factor that can discern a product from being eco-friendly to not being eco-friendly. 

With the rise of consumerism, it has been seen and explored that packaging has contributed a lot to environmental problems because the most common material for packaging that has been used is plastic. 

Plastic is a synthetic polymer that takes hundreds of years to degrade. This means that single-use plastic can keep on creating waste and environmental problems for several years. Even 1000 years in some cases. 

Therefore, it is not only optional but rather mandatory for manufacturers to opt for green packaging that does not create such environmental problems. 

The best thing that can be done is to go for biodegradable packaging which can degrade easily and also can be opted for composting. However, if that seems too far stretched, another healthier option that can be pursued is the use of packaging made from recycled material. 

The use of recycled material or rather PCR (post-consumer-recycled) material means that non-biodegradable waste such as plastic is not added to the waste pile but rather is reused and utilised for other purposes. 

In the case of Dove Body Wash, it is seen that the packaging is done from PCR plastic which is the second best thing to do in the environmental dictionary. 

What to do with the Dove Body Wash bottle after it is empty?

After your Dove Body Wash bottle is empty, there are two healthy inclinations that you can lean your behaviour on. These include reusing and recycling. 

Reusing (7 reuses) 

Reusing simply means utilising empty bottles for other purposes. Most people make the mistake of simply throwing away plastic bottles into trash cans. It usually ends up in landfills and as we have seen, it is not a good thing to happen. 

If the waste ends up in landfills, it will remain there for hundreds of years and that will further exacerbate the waste problems that are out there. 

Instead, it can be avoided by reusing plastic bottles either simply or creatively. Some options include

  • Reusing the empty bottles to fill in other liquids like oils, and moisturisers 
  • Using plastic bottles as planters
  • Using the empty bottles for storage of materials or jewellery 
  • Using the empty bottles for decoration purposes 
  • Using plastic bottles for arts and crafts or other DIY projects 
  • Using the plastic bottles as a piggy bank
  • Using plastic bottles as pencil cases 

Recycling 

The next best and most eco-friendly thing that you can do is to have the bottles recycled. This action is also way better than simply throwing the bottles in regular trash cans. 

This can be done or achieved through a number of steps. If there are recycling bins around, you can put empty bottles in those bins. 

You can also contact the local curbside recycling programs to schedule either a drop-off or a pick-up of the empty bottles. 

However, one thing is that you need to ensure that the bottles are cleaned and there is no contamination of any sort or else the recycling facility might be compromised. 

Is it okay if Dove Body Wash goes down the drain?

Since the ingredients (at least the majority) are biodegradable, it is okay if Dove Body Wash goes down the drain. The material will degrade readily and will cause complications to the septic system and the drainage pipes. 

The drainage system eventually connects to the water bodies such as seas and oceans. As per the details mentioned in the Safety Data Sheet, there are no harmful ecological effects of Dove Body Wash on aquatic and marine life. 

Thus, in light of these details, it can be penned that it is perfectly okay if Dove Body Wash goes down the drain. 

Is Dove Body Wash Eco-friendly?

As a conclusion, it can be summed up that Dove Body Wash is indeed eco-friendly because

  • It is biodegradable
  • It is cruelty-free
  • It is certified by PETA
  • It is made from recycled plastic 
  • It avoids the use of harmful ingredients 

Conclusion 

The biodegradability of Dove Body Wash was assessed and it was concluded that Dove Body Wash is eco-friendly because it uses biodegradable materials and ingredients. 

Further, the packaging of Dove Body Wash was discussed and comments were made on how to properly utilise the empty Dove Body Wash bottles that included the aspects of reusing and recycling. 

References

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