Blog
Cohesive Home Podcast: Chatting about the Zero Waste Movement
Interested in the zero waste movement? This Cohesive Home Podcast features Plaine Products, a sustainable, vegan, and non-toxic hair and body line.
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Plaine Products Accepted Into Plastic Alternative Bootcamp
We're proud to announce that we've been accepted into theTelluride Venture Accelerator Plastic Alternative Bootcamp program for Spring, 2019!The Plastic Alternative Bootcamp was created for hyper-focused companies diverting plastic from our waste streams in many different industries. TVA has worked with other companies in AI, blockchain, outdoor products, natural foods and more and they've also accepted teams around the world including Pakistan, Estonia, Poland, Canada and across the US.Alumni from the TVA program include companies like Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Dr. Brite, 6350 Natural Foods, Western Rise and more.Other companies for this particular bootcamp include: LimeLoop, a company that uses recycled billboard vinyl, we've created, lightweight, durable, and returnable shippers to reduce reliance on cardboard and plastic and get us closer to a circular economy. FinalStraw, the "world's most badass straw." Panji Bags, eco-friendly instrument hardcases using basalt, flax and paper pulp. Vessel, a tech-enabled stainless steel reusable cup service. Sana Packaging, sustainable and compliant packaging solutions for the cannabis industry made from 100% plant-based hemp plastic & 100% reclaimed ocean plastic. Plaine Products is thrilled to be a part of this innovative group!
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Proud to be Women Owned & Support Other Women Owned Businesses through the F Project
I've met a lot of inspirational women in this space of business for social good and working for the planet. I don't think it's a coincidence. It makes sense that this is where we would show up and spend our energy and time. So when I found the F Project, I immediately applied. Many of the best ideas out there are created by women-owned businesses and all of them deserve more attention. My co-founder (and sister) and I have been the beneficiary of amazing women mentors and co-workers who’ve made a difference in our lives. It’s important to us to continue learning from other women and to give back as we grow. Lifting each other up is work that is fun and important to do. What is the F Project? We are honored and proud to have Plaine Products accepted into the 2019 class of the F Project. It's a social impact initiative with a big hypothesis: If we can leverage the collective power of female founder networks incredible things can happen. The F project is committed to building a database of consumers who support female founders; to growing every member business regardless of size; to raising the profiles and influence of women leaders; and so much more. Not that it's surprising, but it is different to be running a company with female founders instead of males ones. Men are taken more seriously in business, while it's often assumed women are "just working a side hustle." Male founded companies receive funding after their first round nearly 35% of the time. For female founders, it’s only 2% of the time. I think it has something to do with who is in the room making decisions as to how products are valued. We've been told a few times that a vegan personal care company that pays to have its bottles come back for reuse isn't innovative enough, mostly by men. Despite this feedback, we have grown every month for two years straight. We've been profitable for over a year and have diverted over 50,000 plastic bottles from the waste stream. We think that makes us serious and innovative. Why Do Women Owned Businesses Matter? Much of the world is designed by men, for themselves. For instance, this article points out that crash test dummies are designed based on the size of the average man, so the data they yield doesn't help to make your average women safer. Not only that, women moving their seat closer to the steering wheel means they are out of "normal driving position" and thus are more likely to encounter serious injury in a collision. People design products for their own lives. We're a perfect example. I wanted to use less plastic in my life and wanted to make it easy for others to do the same. My sister wanted to make sure the products were safe, toxin-free and effective. Those were the priorities that mattered to us and the basis for Plaine Products. People are often curious how and why we started Plaine Products when nothing else like it existed. As far as we know we were the first to take responsibility for our packaging, paying to have customers send back their empty bottles so we could wash and reuse them. But to us, taking responsibility for the entirety of a product, and designing it with reuse in mind, is the way to do business. Designing the website and the return process so it would work for people who are busy, but still want to leave a light foot on the planet, also made sense. That's the sort of life we live, lots of balls in the air. It didn't feel revolutionary, but I think that's part of having a company founded by women. Join Us in Supporting Women Owned Businesses The F Project asks us to take a pledge: Proactively Seek Out, Buy, and Gift female-founded brands. Following the F Project on social media is a great way to find them! Mentor & Support founders building their women-owned businesses. I was lucky that my first job was working for an amazing woman. It had a profound effect on my life and career trajectory. I’ve always believed I could do anything if I worked hard and told the story. It’s important to both of us that other women get that opportunity and support. Share and Promote female founders and their brands on social networks to expand their reach, revenue, and influence. We invite you to join us in this pledge, and in the F Project movement. Let’s support and celebrate the powerful work of women. While finding small, new companies is harder than buying the same products you've always purchased it can make a difference. Seek them out. If you find a great company tell your friends. Tell us too. We'll be sharing them on our channels. Let's work together to share the work women-owned businesses are doing to make the world a better place.
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How To Raise A Plastic-Free Pet
Sixty-eight percent of U.S. households own a pet. You can ditch the plastic waste and have a plastic-free pet by trying these tricks.
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6 Things You Don't Want in Your Hand Wash
The potential hazards of ingredients is real. Check your labels, heres' 6 ingredients NOT in Plaine Products hand wash, make sure they aren't in yours.
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Share the Plaine Products Love!
In honor of 2 years refilling personal care products and reusing bottles (more than 50k so far), we're offering a free bottle with any order over $50!
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How To Nix Plastic From Your Fitness Routine
It’s no surprise that getting fit is the most common New Year’s resolution. What about getting fit with less plastic? Have you tried that one yet? Well, this is the year to eliminate as much plastic as possible from your fitness routine.When you stop to think about it, plastic is everywhere in the exercise world: clothing, shoes, water bottles, yoga mats, and other equipment. As it happens, improving sports performance typically correlates with plastic technology. Snowboards, for example, are made out of wood but coated with plastic resin to glide on the snow more effectively. Workout clothes are typically made with plastic materials because of their wicking properties that keep sweat away from skin and help athletes stay more comfortable and perform better.But now fitness companies are beginning to think more sustainably and develop products either made from recycled plastic or that use alternative, non-plastic materials. Here are some easy ways that you can nix plastic from your fitness routine.Nix Plastic and Opt For Glass or Stainless Steel Water Bottles The simplest step you can take to reduce plastic at the gym is to invest in a reusable water bottle made from glass or stainless steel. Not only will you reduce plastic use, but you will also be choosing a healthier option that does not contain harmful chemicals like BPA. Be mindful not to choose a reusable water bottle made out of plastic. It may be a better option than throwaway plastic bottles, but it still doesn’t help with the overall plastic issue that we are trying to address.Purchase Eco-Friendly Workout Clothes Eco clothing is finally taking off. Now there are plenty of options to go green in the gym as well. Workout clothes made mostly from plastic materials have traditionally been associated with better performance. But now some companies are tapping into other types of materials and improving their characteristics when it comes to fitness so they are breathable and do not absorb perspiration. Look for clothes made from Merino wool, silk, organic cotton, hemp, linen. Lyocell, or Tencel, made from bamboo that does not contain any harmful chemicals. Some brands are also using recycled plastic to make the yarns that create their products.If you are a swimmer, you can also now find plenty of plastic-free swimwear options. Conventional swimwear is made of new nylon, polyester, and spandex—all plastic. Several companies around the world are now designing eco swimwear using recycled fiber from trashed fishnets and plastic bottles.Look For Innovative Shoe Brands Sneakers are a tough one since there are endless brands. The majority on the market are made from a combination of plastic materials including ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane, nylon, and other synthetic materials containing some form of plastic. Even the eyelets that the laces fit through are usually made out of plastic. However, there are a few innovators out there now manufacturing sneakers from recycled plastic materials like plastic bottles and fish nets. Examples include Adidas’ Parley line and New Balance’s newSKY shoes. If you do some research, you can definitely find a comfortable, durable pair of shoes for your workout that is also more eco-friendly.Discover Green Fitness Equipment As of 2023 there is 10% higher frequency of US exercisers working out at home and there are some ways to swap your fitness equipment from plastic to greener materials. Yoga mats are the perfect example. Most mats are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a toxic type of plastic that is a known carcinogen. That doesn’t sound very relaxing! Fortunately, you can now find mats made from a variety of natural materials like organic cotton, hemp, natural rubber, and jute. These are all free of harmful toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and smelly rubbers. Also, a quick Amazon search will result in other exercise equipment, such as jump ropes and floor mats, that are made from recycled materials. Choose Used Another easy way to nix plastic—and all types of waste—is to borrow fitness equipment from a friend or to buy used. So many people purchase dumbbells, yoga accessories, jump ropes, sporting equipment, and even large items like treadmills and indoor bikes with good intentions, only to hardly use them. Instead of purchasing brand new equipment, break the plastic production cycle and look for fitness equipment at garage sales, thrift stores, and online sites like eBay. You’ll also be saving a ton of cash!
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Reuse is a Mantra at Plaine Products
At Plaine Products we reuse more than just the bottles. We reuse boxes, lids, office supplies kitchen supplies at work and in our personal lives.
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Bling: Jewelry for a Better World
We're always excited to learn about businesses who have taken the reduce, reuse mantra to heart like Amy Ragsdale, who creates sustainable jewelry.
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