Is Aussie shampoo biodegradable? (5 qualities)

This article will explain the biodegradability aspect of Aussie shampoo. Other aspects covered would be:

Is Aussie shampoo biodegradable?
Is Aussie shampoo made with natural ingredients?
Is Aussie shampoo made with biodegradable ingredients?
Which ingredients should be avoided in a shampoo?
Is Aussie shampoo’s packaging eco-friendly?
Is Aussie shampoo a sustainable product?
Are there green alternatives to Aussie shampoo?
What are the qualities of a good shampoo?
FAQs

Is Aussie shampoo biodegradable?

Aussie shampoo is regarded as non-biodegradable due to the presence of harmful materials such as silicones and thickening agents.

When it comes to the packaging of Aussie shampoo, it again is made from conventional plastics which can not biodegrade but can definitely be recycled.

As per the production process, there is some good news. Aussie shampoo claims to manufacture its products from renewable sources of energy which is a sustainable proclivity.

However, even with these steps, there are greener alternatives that avoid the use of harmful chemicals such as silicones and thickening agents.

As regards future trends, Aussie shampoo should not contain any harmful chemicals that could damage the skin and the environment. Also, efforts must be directed towards biodegradable and reusable bottles so that the overall LCA may be reduced.

Is Aussie shampoo made with natural ingredients?

No, the company does not claim to use natural ingredients and rightfully so. The general thumb rule when it comes to environmentally conscious production is that companies which are more environmentally conscious and responsible would tend to be more open about their products eco-friendliness.

However, Aussie shampoo does claim that their shampoos are made from naturally derived ingredients but not all ingredients are naturally derived. There are multiple synthetic ingredients in a shampoo without which the shampoo would not be a shampoo that people normally use and the same is the case with Aussie hair.

Synthetic chemicals such as sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate which are known to be harmful to human skin and also marine life are present in Aussie hair shampoo products such as Aussie hair miracle repair shampoo.

The choice of synthetic and chemical-based materials exists to ensure that the utility is not compromised in any way. However, this happens at the expense of the environment.

With the rising environmental awareness, people are becoming more approached and inclined towards natural ingredients rather than synthetic ingredients because most of the natural ingredients deliver good utility while also not affecting the environment in any way.

Is Aussie shampoo made with biodegradable ingredients?

Biodegradability is a character of a substance that means how much time is required for a substance to naturally degrade which should be ideally less than a year. Natural organic substances are readily biodegradable as they provide food for decomposers such as

A product which is made of multiple ingredients has to be made using those ingredients which are natural and organic so that the product is inherently biodegradable. A product may not be considered biodegradable if some of its ingredients are non-biodegradable because it may affect how the product is degraded in nature.

In the case of Aussie shampoo, there are multiple synthetic ingredients used such as silicones, and thickening agents which are not readily biodegradable. They have not considered “non-biodegradable” as such but many of these chemicals take more than normal time to degrade and some of them are harmful to marine life, especially sulfates.

What ingredients should never be used in a shampoo?

If you are stuck with difficult ingredients on the label and can’t spend the time understanding all the ingredients and their environmental impact then the following list will make your day easier. This is the list of ingredients that should definitely not be in a shampoo:

Parabens. Can be easily identified as ending with -paraben e.g. methylparaben. Known to be harmful to corals
Phthalates. Ending with -phthalates e.g. diethyl phthalates. Known to be toxic to humans and animals
Sulfates. Ending with sulfate e.g. sodium laureth sulfate. Known to be contributors to acid rain.
“Artificial fragrances” are often listed on the ingredients which are normally made of 10-20 different chemicals and have a high environmental impact and should be avoided at all costs.

Is Aussie shampoo packaging biodegradable? If not, is it recyclable?

The packaging of Aussie shampoo products is either High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. The fact that it is synthetic plastic means that it is non-biodegradable.

Non-biodegradable plastics are very harmful to the environment hence special care should be taken to consider whether they are recyclable or not. Recyclable plastics require a responsible effort from the manufacturer and the consumer in order to reduce their environmental impact.

Aussie uses recyclable plastic and has a reuse or refill policy in which a customer may purchase a PET or HDPE bottle of Aussie shampoo at first but then when buying again he/she has the option to refill the first bottle by buying a sachet packet of shampoo and the bottle is to be properly discarded for it to be recycled.

This type of marketing is commendable and reduces environmental waste as well as improves brand image.

Is Aussie shampoo a sustainable product?

Yes. It can be considered a sustainable product due to the manufacturing technique used. Aussie claims that 100% of its production energy requirements are fulfilled from renewable energy sources which means that Aussie shampoo does not use fossil fuels during its manufacture.

The Aussie shampoo also claims that 0% of its production waste goes to landfill which is quite an excellent landmark. The waste is either recycled on plants or completely treated in a way that it becomes biodegradable or at least harmless to the environment.

Lastly, most Aussie products including shampoos are free from the chemicals mentioned above with very few exceptions and Aussie hair have a responsible packaging policy. So all in all, it can be considered a sustainable product with room for improvement.

What effects does Aussie shampoo have when used near rivers and lakes?

Now since we know that Aussie shampoo contains certain synthetic chemicals which are known to be toxic to humans and animals so that is why it is not recommended to use Aussie shampoo outdoors.

Using products that contain synthetic and toxic chemicals near freshwater bodies such as lakes and rivers can be very damaging to marine life because there is no treatment facility in between which takes the chance of proper treatment away. Only natural shampoos shall be used which have no effect on fish and other types of aquatic life.

Are there any greener alternatives?

Yes. As it happens, there are many greener alternatives. The world has progressed and finding a green alternative has never been much easier. However, the thing about greener alternatives is that they are often more expensive than conventional options.

Firstly, In the case of shampoos, cheaper products are still preferred by consumers primarily due to the fact that shampoo is a household item and is used in large quantities daily. Buying expensive products is not possible for everyone.

Secondly, people are mostly unaware of the dangers of chemical products not only in terms of environmental damage but on their own bodies as well which is why the consumer pressure has not built up as yet in this sector.

These two problems have to be solved and it seems that they are on track to be solved in the coming years.

What are the qualities of a good shampoo? (5 qualities)

If we look at the environmental impact of different chemicals discussed earlier, we can be sure that these are not to be included in a shampoo but here are some qualities of a good shampoo.

It is made using natural substances such as honey, olive oil etc.
All of its ingredients are biodegradable
Its packaging is biodegradable or at least recyclable.
It should not contain parabens, sulfates, silicones etc.
It should be reef-safe and eco-friendly.

Conclusion

It is concluded that Aussie shampoo is regarded as non-biodegradable due to the presence of harmful materials such as silicones and thickening agents.