Plaine Products, a vegan, organic hair and body care products brand is unique in that it not only offers effective products with quality formulas, but also contributes to resolving the plastic waste issue through its simple, recycling and refill subscription offers. I chatted with the brand’s co-founder, Lindsey Delaplaine to hear more about how Plaine Products came to fruition, what’s in store for the brand, and how Plaine Products is not only reducing plastic waste, but also encouraging more conscious, eco-friendly purchasing habits.
Check out my interview with Lindsay below, and jump to my review of Plaine Products here, which also includes an awesome brand discount.
What was the inspiration behind Plaine Products?
For 10 years I lived in the The Bahamas doing environment education work. On a small island there’s no first world infrastructure to insulate you from the piles of plastic we are creating. You see plastic bags, bottles and flip flops on the beaches, in the water, spilling out of the landfills, along the side of the road. There’s even a place so full of plastic its called Junk Beach. The message that plastic last forever, no matter how long we use it, is much more obvious living there than it is here.
I wanted to start using less plastic in my life. I started taking action: carrying a reusable water bottle, reusable grocery bags, skipping the straw at restaurants and bars. I looked for other ways to use less plastic. But I couldn’t find any alternatives that worked for me and my hair.
As talked about moving back to the States, I realized that I might be able to solve my own problem. Even better, I might be able to help other people use less plastic in their lives. I pulled in my sister, Alison who has a design degree and strong opinions about the quality of her products. Together we spent two years working hard to making it easier for people to get quality products without having to buy single-use plastic bottles.
Why was it important to have a send-back refill and recycling program for Plaine Products?
Every piece of plastic that has ever been made still exists. Globally, we produce 300 million tons of plastic waste every year, 78% of which is NOT reclaimed or recycled. 8 million tons of plastic ends up the in ocean every year. By 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean. We’ve created a plastic problem, but unlike so many others we face, this is one we can solve.
Plaine Products exists to offer an easy solution: vegan personal care products in aluminum bottles that can be returned to be sterilized, refilled and reused. Not only does Plaine Products make it easy to reuse, but the very existence of our products creates awareness and reminds people to more carefully consider the sustainability of their choices when making a purchase. As far we know we are the only company that pays for you to send your bottles back to be cleaned, refilled, and reused.
Junk Beach in the Bahamas
What is the most rewarding part about your company?
Our customers. They write us notes, help share our story and encourage people to give us a try. It’s so wonderful when people they were so excited to find us. I love that we’re helping solve the plastic problem for people.
Do you have favorite products from the brand?
I’m in love with the rosemary mint vanilla body lotion and our new face moisturizer. Both have a light scent that don’t hang around all day and I love how they make my skin feel.
Do you have any advice for anyone starting to switch to more natural, organic hair care or body products?
Pick something and try it! Some people get overwhelmed with trying to do too much at once, we have a mantra of progress, not perfection. Not every product is going to work for every person, but there are lots of great products out there to choose from. It takes a little more time to buy something new, but it’s worth it to have less chemicals on your body and feel better about your footprint on the earth.
Are there any new products or programs in the work that you can share about?
We just added a face wash and face moisturizer, a citrus lavender body lotion, and citrus lavender body wash. I’m hoping to have a face lotion with sunscreen and a two in one shampoo and body wash for kids in the near future.
What do you hope customers will get out of purchasing and using Plaine Products?
A happy feeling of knowing they have safe, quality products that aren’t going to end up in a landfill for hundreds of years!
Thanks for sharing your insights, Lindsey! Read my review of Plaine Products here. Visit the shop to browse all the products and learn more about the brand’s recycling program.
Photo credits: Lindsey Delaplaine, Plaine Products.
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