July 22, 2020

Environmental Justice and the Law

The fight for environmental justice extends beyond the picket lines and protests. Every environmental injustice needs to be attacked and approached from a variety of angles including activism, scientific research, journalism, politics, and the law. Over the course of our Plastic-Free July 2020 – Thru a Different Lens series this month, we have highlighted some amazing organizations who are on the frontlines of the fight against environmental racism. These included the Louisiana Bucket Brigade and Rise St. James and their fight to stop the Formosa petrochemical industrial facility in Cancer Alley and t.e.j.a.s. fighting for environmental justice in Texas. This week we turn to organizations that are taking the fight to the courts. These organizations are working to make sure that our laws and policies protect, preserve, and promote environmental justice for people and planet. They are working to change the legal systems and prevent companies from dumping toxic waste in the air and water in communities predominately populated by BIPOC.

EarthJustice is a nonprofit public interest environmental law organization with a team of lawyers and expert legal strategists working against environmental injustice and litigating environmental issues. They not only work in the courtrooms they also partner with their clients to craft regulatory, legislative, and communications strategies to solidify the lasting impact of our legal victories. Through litigation, they hold polluters, environmental justice offenders, decision-makers, and the government accountable for following environmental laws. Their clients include Rise St. James, Beyond Plastics, and The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and their fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline. We are particularly drawn to their work against petrochemicals. The law makes change and EarthJustice is on the forefront.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) uses the power of law to protect the environment, promote human rights, and ensure a just and sustainable society. CIEL works on a variety of environmental issues at multiple levels, including plastics. Their specific work around the plastic crisis includes advocating for an international treaty on plastic pollution and other measures at the global level, supporting communities in local infrastructure fights to stop the plastics build-out, and exposing the deep impacts plastic has on our health, climate, and planet throughout its toxic lifecycle. We highlighted the CIEL paper, “Plastic and Health: The Hidden Cost of a Plastic Planet” which we featured in this blog post: How Our Plastic and Carbon Footprints Are Intertwined. Reports such as these provide valuable research to activists, lawyers, and legislators.

What You Can Do: Environmental Justice and the Law

Get Informed and Raise Awareness

Stay informed and share the work of these important organizations. Follow Earthjustice on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and CIEL on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Advocate, loudly, for the work they are doing.

Donate

Make a charitable contribution to Earthjustice and CIEL to support their work. The costs of legal fees in fighting for environmental justice are massive and are often a major barrier to minority participation in the fight against environmental racism.

Contact Your Representatives

Your representatives in local, state, and federal government are voting on your behalf and for your values. They must hear from you that every vote they cast must be a vote for environmental justice and a better and healthier environment for everyone. Right now, you can contact your representative and ask them to co-sponsor the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act. And then commit to contacting them regularly!

September 9, 2025

It's Not Just the Bottles: Keeping Plastic Out of Our Products

Plastic isn’t just on the outside of products, it can be inside them too.

Learn more

August 20, 2025

Why doesn’t Plaine Products Carry a line for Kids?

The short answer is all of Plaine Products are baby safe because we want our products to work for EVERYONE. If a product is toxic for children, it probably isn’t so great for you either so let’s make one product that everyone can use!

Learn more

July 31, 2025

From Shower to Cycle: The Essentials of a Waste-Free Bathroom

A Cleaner Routine for You and the Planet If you're striving for a more sustainable lifestyle, the bathroom is a great place to start. From the products you use in the shower to how you manage your period, everyday routines offer countless opportunities to reduce waste and opt for non-toxic, reusable solutions. In this guide, we’ll take you through the essentials of creating a waste-free bathroom using eco-conscious products from two trailblazing women-owned, B Corp Certified companies: Plaine Products and Saalt. Why Start in the Bathroom? Bathrooms generate a significant amount of plastic and disposable waste. Shampoo bottles, body wash containers, disposable razors, period products - these all contribute to landfills and ocean pollution. Transitioning to a zero-waste bathroom helps you reduce your environmental impact while also switching to products that are safer for your body and better for the planet. The bathroom is one of the smallest rooms in the home but also one of the biggest contributors to plastic waste. Most personal care items are over-packaged, under-recycled, and replaced monthly. Not to mention, conventional products often contain hormone-disrupting chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and microplastics. That’s why it’s crucial to be mindful not only of what we consume - but also how it’s packaged, produced, and disposed of. With a few thoughtful swaps, your bathroom can become a hub of sustainability and wellness. Sustainable Showering with Plaine Products Plastic-Free Personal Care Let’s talk about the shower. Most hair and body products come in single-use plastic containers that are rarely recycled. Plaine Products changes that with a refillable, aluminum bottle system that allows you to return empty bottles for sanitization and reuse - closing the loop on waste. Must-Haves for a Zero Waste Shower: Shampoo & Conditioner Plaine Products offers sulfate-free, biodegradable formulas packed with aloe, jojoba oil, and essential oils. Their refillable bottles eliminate the need for plastic altogether. Body Wash & Lotion Infused with clean, non-toxic ingredients, these products leave your skin nourished - without the synthetic fragrances or parabens. Hair Repair Use this lightweight detangler as a leave-in treatment. It’s especially helpful for maintaining healthy hair between washes. Why It Matters: Not only are these products made with natural, non-toxic ingredients, but their circular model means you never throw a bottle away again. Refillable packaging reduces both plastic production and waste. Beyond waste reduction, switching to non-toxic, refillable personal care supports healthier skin, hair, and overall wellbeing. Many conventional shampoos and lotions contain sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances that can irritate sensitive skin or disrupt your hormonal balance. By opting for biodegradable, cruelty-free, and vegan formulas like those from Plaine Products, you're also keeping harmful chemicals out of the water supply - important for both ecosystems and future generations. Plus, their carbon-neutral shipping practices and partnerships with plastic-offset programs make it easy to feel good about your impact. Switching to Reusables for Your Cycle with Saalt Rethinking Your Period Routine The average person who menstruates uses more than 10,000 tampons in a lifetime. That’s a lot of waste. Saalt offers innovative, reusable alternatives to pads and tampons that are better for your body and the planet. Menstrual Cups & Discs: Sustainable, Safe, and Comfortable If you’re looking for tampon alternatives, a menstrual cup or menstrual disc is a game-changer. These soft cups collect, rather than absorb, menstrual fluid and can be worn for up to 12 hours. Reusable menstrual cup: Made with medical-grade silicone, Saalt cups are designed to be ultra-comfortable and easy to insert. Reusable menstrual disc: This low-suction option sits higher in the vaginal canal and offers mess-free period sex. Whether you're curious about how to insert a menstrual cup or want to find the best menstrual cup for beginners, Saalt’s website offers tutorials and sizing guides to help. Bonus: Less Waste, More Freedom - One period cup can last up to 10 years. - They’re ideal for travel, exercise, and even swimming. - Fewer purchases mean more savings over time. Saalt’s menstrual products aren’t just sustainable - they’re life-changing. Users often report fewer leaks, less cramping, and a better understanding of their cycles. And because you can wear a menstrual cup or disc for up to 12 hours, you don’t have to plan your day around changing tampons. It's discreet, mess-free, and empowering. When paired with Saalt’s reusable period panties, you have a comprehensive, customizable solution for any flow level, lifestyle, or stage of life - from the first period to postpartum to perimenopause. Period Underwear: Everyday Confidence Not ready for a cup? No problem. Period underwear - also referred to as leakproof underwear or period panties - offers built-in protection that’s absorbent, breathable, and stylish. What Makes Saalt’s Underwear Stand Out? - Non-toxic period underwear made without PFAS - Available in options like sweat proof, moisture wicking underwear, leakproof (or not!), and even teen and maternity/postpartum styles. - Seamless designs and inclusive sizes for women, girls, postpartum, and beyond Whether you’re wondering how period underwear works or how to wash period underwear, Saalt has made it easy to transition to reusables with confidence. With dozens of styles - from hipsters to high-waist to seamless bikinis - there’s a pair for every body and every occasion. Whether you're sleeping, working out, or managing heavy flow days, Saalt’s period underwear is designed to feel just like regular underwear - only better. Looking for the best period underwear for girls or teens? Their Starter Kits make first periods less intimidating and more empowering. All products are machine washable and come in inclusive sizing to support dignity and comfort at every age. Additional Zero Waste Bathroom Tips That Stick 1. Ditch Disposable Razors Switch to a safety razor with replaceable blades. They're not only waste-free but cost-effective in the long run. 2. Add a Bidet You might not think about your toilet routine when going zero-waste, but switching to a bidet can drastically cut down your toilet paper use. Not only does this save trees and water (yes, TP production is incredibly water-intensive), but it’s also more hygienic. 3. Compostable Toothbrushes & Silk Floss Bamboo toothbrushes and natural silk floss (without plastic coatings) help reduce landfill waste. 4. Choose a Natural Loofah Instead of a plastic loofah, choose a plant-based one. Plastic loofahs are inspired by the plant version, and yet, a natural loofah is totally compostable. You could even grow them yourself! 5. Mindful Disposal Even when you replace products, consider how you dispose of them. Can they be composted, recycled, or upcycled? How to Make the Transition to a Low-Waste Bathroom Overhauling your bathroom all at once can feel overwhelming, but a gradual approach works best - and helps build habits that stick. Start with what you’re about to run out of: if you’re finishing up shampoo, replace it with a refillable option from Plaine Products. Looking to stop buying tampons? Try a menstrual cup or period panties from Saalt. Set a goal to replace one item each month, and before you know it, your bathroom will be zero-waste and toxin-free. Don't forget to educate family members or housemates, and keep a small bin for compostables or recycling to make sustainable choices even easier. Two B Corps Leading the Charge Plaine Products and Saalt aren’t just sustainable brands - they’re Certified B Corporations, which means they meet the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility. As women-owned companies, they’re leading with both purpose and performance, proving that sustainable self-care can also support ethical business. The Impact of Your Choices By switching to refillables and reusables, you can prevent hundreds of plastic containers, pads, and tampons from ending up in landfills or waterways every year. Plus, you support companies like Plaine Products and Saalt that are proving ethical, sustainable business models can thrive. With every swap, you're not just simplifying your routine - you’re casting a vote for a cleaner planet and safer products. Small choices, big impact. Ready to Create Your Waste-Free Bathroom? Transforming your bathroom into a low-waste zone isn’t about perfection - it’s about progress. Whether you start by swapping plastic shampoo bottles for Plaine Products’ refillables or exploring Saalt’s collection of period cups, soft cups, and non toxic period underwear, every small change adds up. By choosing brands committed to sustainability, transparency, and innovation, you’re doing more than just reducing waste - you’re investing in a cleaner future.

Learn more

Environmental Justice and the Law