Protecting Our Water One Small Step at a Time

71% of the Earth is covered by water. It makes up about 60% of our bodies. Water is one of the most plentiful resources on the planet, while simultaneously being one of the most fragile. As we continue Earth Month, we’d like to focus on the element of Water and how we can all do a better job of protecting it.

What does Sally B's do to help the Earth's waterways?

• We don’t send any toxic ingredients into our waterways. We ensure that our products you send down the drain do not harm aquatic life or their ecosystems. Microbeads are a no-no here! We use only high-quality, natural and organic ingredients from the Earth that can safely be returned there.
   
• We’re keeping plastic out of the water through the use of recyclable containers for the majority of our products, and we personally avoid purchasing plastic water bottles.
   
• We use our brand as a platform to inform others about how to be mindful of how they use water and how they consume products that can be harmful to water, animals, and humans across the globe.
   
• Recycling Program: As part of our commitment to stewardship and to keep our product containers out of the landfill, we accept all your used Sally B’s product containers. Whether you mail them back or drop them off to our store during open hours, we’ll email you a $5 gift certificate any time we get our clean, empty packaging back! To read more visit our Recycling Program page on our website here.

What are some of the biggest issues surrounding water?

1. Globally, there is a lack of safe water for all to drink and use for washing hands and bodies, foods, clothes, homes, etc.
   
   2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, while 3 billion – almost half of the world’s population – don’t have access to basic handwashing facilities. While some of this is due to a lack of infrastructure, our water system is interconnected globally, meaning that water pollution and water waste anywhere contaminates water everywhere.
   
   Consider supporting organizations whose missions are to solve the water where you live. Some of our favorites include Chattahoochee Riverkeeper in our state, along with national nonprofits like The Nature Conservancy that help protect our rivers here. You can also reduce the amount of water your own family uses by installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances and offering incentives for everyone to shorten their showers.
    
2. Limited access and quantity of safe water holds back women and children from education, empowerment, employment and reaching their potential
   
   Women are disproportionately affected by the world’s water crisis, and every two-minutes a child dies from a water-related disease. Learn more by visiting water.org. Teach your children about the lack of water in other places so that they will learn to be more mindful about their own consumption. Even if you live in a place with clean and abundant water, your actions have consequences for everyone.
    
3. Ocean and river ecosystems are disrupted by toxic chemical releases into water
   
   The release of toxic chemicals into our US water sources continues, though reduced amounts of nitrate compounds in products have significantly helped since 2008. Every day, we all passively introduce our personal care product ingredients into our environment by washing our hands, face, or body.
   
   Try to reduce your dependence on products that contain toxic chemicals. Read our “What’s Not in Our Products” blog and consult the EWG Consumer Guides to help you know which products to use and which to avoid when shopping for everything from skincare and makeup to household cleaning products.
    
4. Dangerous toxins enter our food chain because fish unwittingly eat them
   
   Research shows that one bottle of facial cleanser could contain as many as 300,000 plastic microbeads, which enter our waterways after being washed down the drain. Other chemical toxins leach onto the lingering beads and fish confuse them for fish eggs, allowing dangerous toxins to enter our food chain. Avoid any cosmetic products with microbeads!

Our water problem took decades to create, and it’s going to take just as long to solve. There’s no magic bullet that can instantly give the world access to clean water or remove all of the microplastics from the ocean. But as the old saying goes, the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. If we all pitch in in small ways, our small actions can work together to make a big difference!