Alpine Provisions Co., manufacturer of 100% biodegradable, natural, organic, sustainably-sourced body care products, has launched an initiative to go completely plastic-free. Only 7% of all the plastic ever made has been recycled, which is why, in the last century, over 150 million metric tons of it have found their way into the world’s oceans. Aluminum, which can be recycled almost infinitely, will replace the company’s plastic hand-sanitizer, hair care and liquid soap bottles. In fact, 84% of all the aluminum ever made is still in use today. And because it’s so lightweight, shipping aluminum saves millions of pounds of carbon emissions per year. Alpine Provision’s #LifeAfterPlastic crowdfunding page states that at the current rate of plastic production, humans will add 8 million metric tons to the environment this year alone. For Alpine Provision products such as lip balm, deodorant and bar soap, the company will replace plastic packaging with paper and paperboard. “Paper and paperboard are easily and routinely recycled,” said Alpine Provisions founder and CEO, Joshua Scott Onysko “Of all packaging materials, these are also the most compostable. Plus, the American forest products industry typically plants five trees for every one harvested.” Pandemic Relief In addition to its plastic-free initiative, the company has vowed to "Lather It Forward.” “The world is using soap and hand sanitizer at an unprecedented rate, and there are better alternatives to the ingredients conventionally used in these products,” commented Onysko. “Each ‘Lather It Forward’ pledge made on our crowdfunding page helps create community packs of sustainable personal care essentials for people most financially impacted by the pandemic.”