Sustainably Maija

By: Maija Elizabeth

Project Pan is a concept that started way back in 2018, but has gained more traction over the years. Project Pan is using up the things you own until you hit “pan”, meaning the bottom of that product. In the U.S., a lot of us struggle with hyper consumerism. Constantly trying to keep up with trends, falling for sales, when we have plenty of products at home waiting to be used. I’ve seen Project Pan being done for beauty products, but this can go for a number of things in your life that you may have a lot of back stock for. In today’s post, I’ll be sharing some of the different categories that I’ve been trying to clear out the most and where to put those products that you may not want at all. I started doing this way before knowing there was a name for it because I needed to spend less money! Hopefully this will give you some inspiration to use what you already have if you have a similar issue to me. 

HAIR SOAPS 

Over the years, I have stacked up a large amount of shampoo and conditioner. I made the mistake of just jumping into hair soap bars before I had finished up my liquid soaps. Now, I’m starting to go through my liquid soaps as best as I can! I have pretty much gotten down to the end of my stash. I was on a subscription for hair bars for a couple of years and it took me a long time to go through it. I have used liquid hair soap to wash hair brushes and other things that don’t need an intense wash! Having less stuff always makes me feel relieved!

PERFUMES

One thing about me is that I LOVE perfumes!! I get them as gifts and have bought myself some over the years too. Since I only do one or two sprays at once it takes me about a year to go through one bottle. I have a bunch of Bath & Body Works perfumes that smelled great in the store when sales were happening, but then I got home and didn’t love it on myself. For those perfumes, I’m going to use it as a room spray! I’ve kept a mini perfume bottle in my car to spray, but never thought about using it at home. Let me know if you are going to try that as well!

LOTIONS

As I was going through my products, I realized that I had way too many bottles of lotion! I think I forgot that I already had lotion or it got lost and then I just kept buying more. Keeping all of my extra products in one cabinet has been really helpful to see exactly what I have, at all times. Every time I’m done with something, I can recycle the old one and get the new one out. For facial moisturizers, I’m very picky because of sensitivities. The moisturizers I have that didn’t work for my face will probably work better for the rest for my arms, legs, and hands that get especially dry during the winter.

FIND A NEW HOME FOR THINGS YOU DON’T WANT:

It’s better to find a new home for products like you would for clothes that you don’t want. I have given a lot of products to coworkers, friends, kids I take care of, etc. Also, check with local homeless shelters, women’s shelters, and other charities that will take in any unopened products! I recently went to a local shelter to give unused blankets and lightly used suitcases, then I was given a long list of items they would also accept. Giving to those in your personal life and in your community is so much more meaningful than throwing items away or letting them sit in my cabinet. When you have empties, I know that Sephora and Ulta Beauty should have recycling bins for those items! 

THANK YOU!

I really appreciate you taking the time to read today’s post! I hope that if you also relate to having too many random products, that you will join me in Project Pan to use it up! Let me know if you decide to try this out nefore buying new. Follow me on my other socials and sign up for email updates below! Have a great rest of your day. 🙂

Love, Maija.