Taking a stand on liquid soap waste

UPDATE: I feel silly, but I had not read the directions for the SoapStandle prior to using it, so was confused because the soap stuck to it. Turns out, it was meant to work that way! (See tutorial.) The soap and stand are meant to stick together. Here, then, is my edited version of the original review:

I love the premise of using a soap "standle" - that all the plastic waste from those disgusting pump liquid soap dispensers is killing ocean life.

However, if one is more inclined to use a soap dish, as I have become accustomed to, it may seem a little odd when the soap sticks to it. That said, there are clear benefits to the SoapStandle, and I'm all for greening my bathroom.

The publicist for SoapStandle tells me via e-mail that in the green home movement there is a trend to turn away from liquid soap. She claims that "during a typical trip to the sink, we use almost 7 times more liquid soap (2-3g) than bar soap (0.35g). That means more chemical feedstocks, more processing and more weight to ship, resulting in more energy and carbon emission. Besides the hand wash itself, the container also pollutes the environment with 40 grams of plastics on average."

Let me be clear: I am 100% in support of the premise, and by the way, one knows it's time to replace the soap when holes start to poke through. The stand is sleek and attractive; you won't realize it's there and just think the soap itself is raised from the sink. It sinks its "teeth" into a soap bar "allowing air to circulate around the bar for it to properly dry," she says. "Not only does its rigid grip prevent the goop, it also makes bar soap non-slip and extends the life of bar soap by 30 percent."

The "standle" itself is made of 3g of recyclable plastic, is reusable and easily transportable/mailed. They are very lightweight.

Soap Standle is just $8.00 for a 2-pack. There are currently no stores in Connecticut that sell them, but they can be purchased in Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania and other states and shipped very quickly to you wherever you're dirty.

Photos from SoapStandle, used with permission.