Have you ever thought about Nail Paints this way !!!

Nail polish is a fashion statement these days, and for most it has become a necessary part of their outfit. And with creativity of the nail arts it is gaining it popularity more and more.

Global Nail Polish market size will increase to 17600 Million US$ by 2025, from 9190 Million US$ in 2018, which is ~ 1760 Million bottles per year. An average user keeps at least 8-10 shades and lovers probably do 2-3 times in a week, which means additional usage of Nail Polish Remover also.

Have you ever thought of how these nail polish are made and in the process how it is impacting the environment. Starting from the glass bottles; where sand is converted to glass releasing tonnes of Carbon-di-Oxide and then printing the labels using liquid carbon link by machine stamping process a lot of nitrogen gases are released.

Cap and brush is not a surprise yes they are made of polyethylene. Brush bristles are actually made from nylon, taklon and/or filament and the process of making these involves releasing many green house gases.

The Liquid is actually with some variety and options to choose in addition to the color and finish. Several nail polishes are like  synthetic chemical cocktails, often petro-chemical based (crude oil), butyl acetate or ethyl acetate, tosylamide-formaldehyde (carcinogen)  resin, Toulene (volatile organic compound) , benozophenone-1, Nitrocellulose etc. Some of the less expensive ones even use industrial grade of Nitrocellulose. Nitrocellulose (cellulose nitrate) cotton, is a flammable and explosive ingredient also used in making dynamite. Formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate – known as the “toxic trio” for their potential impact on human health.
Consider its impact on the environment, after removed from nails, these has to end up somewhere!! 

Choice comes here with the Eco-friendly nail polishes and some with water based nail polishes also.

Each stage from raw material to process to final goods to retail needs its own packaging and transportation leading to additional emissions.

Source : The European Organization for Packaging and The Environment

I personally prefer natural nails with no cover, with regular trimming as this is the simplest and greenest way to ensure nail health.  Rubbing the nails to each other for 2-4 minutes adds shine to nails and also promotes hair growth. Rubbing vegetable oils helps to strengthen them, but to be true a healthy meal is sufficient enough for the nails.

Choose your Option, its your Choice !!!

If not Bald then short hair will do!

Being Bald is rare when it comes to women, and now having long hairs is also quite common to men. Some men have actually made "Being Bald a Fashion"           

Maintaining hair not only cost more in terms on money but also have bigger impact on the environment. Use of Shampoo, Conditioner, Hair Oil etc. not only end up in generating plastic waste at the consumer end but,  also generates waste at each station of its end to end cycle. Raw-materials to manufacturing at every stage use of Electricity and generation of Waste happens.

Hairdressing uses high amount of water, electrical energy and Chemicals. There are posts available for reducing this impact, as a matter of fact the impact still remains.

We have not yet discussed about the accessories - starting from hair band, clips, Hair Color, Hair treatments, Spa..... where not only variety and maintenance have become basic need for user; special occasions brings lot more.

Figure from Wikipedia

Even small item like hair band impacts environment at its each stage of life cycle from creation, shipping to disposal. Continuous efforts are on for Designing the product for Environment

Considering only packaging and shipping, other than plastics, use of carton boxes also leave their carbon footprint after all they were once humble trees.

Before I rest my case, like to mention the more use of commodities, the more is ask for packaging,  the more is ask for transport, the more is ask for generation of Waste the more is impact on Environment. Choice is Yours!!!