This step is one that I don't expect anyone to 'complete' anytime soon, because it's just too difficult. All that I am asking for the moment is that you go have a look in your bathroom, and wherever else you might store toiletries, and take a look at how many plastic containers you have. The first step is awareness.
Of course it is a great idea to try and replace things with more eco-friendly packaging, but what is more important is that you use up everything you own first, there's no point in wasting the products you have already bought. Of course, we are all going to have products that we just can't do without, and can't avoid the plastic, but consider other options to reduce waste, e.g. Buying the biggest size you can so it lasts longer, reusing the packaging for something else, and contacting the company to ask them to consider changing their packaging - companies need to respond to demand, so show them it's there!
My biggest hurdle is people buying me toiletries as gifts, a kind gesture, but as someone who is not so bothered about these things, it means my bathroom cupboards are rammed with products I almost never use. If you do receive a gift that you are unlikely to use, consider regifting it (carefully!) to someone you know will use it, or think about donating it to a charity/food bank that might use it for something like Christmas hampers, so that everyone has something nice to open. (research in Cam?)
On a tighter budget, many toiletry products can be made at home using simple natural products that you could use for various products (link to a guide?), but for those tight on time or not wanting to compromise on their nice products, consider some of these companies. Prices vary, I have tried to find a good range of affordable products as well as more luxurious. (List of places to buy products in Cam? Lush for example). For a more detailed guide click here.
Finally, do a little research into brands that offer recycling programmes for their own products, and those that recycle others. It is worth collecting a load of old bottles and just recycling them in bulk to save your time!
