Hawaii’s new sunscreen ban has renewed heated conversations around chemicals in nature and plastic
over-use. Brian Guadagno, who helped usher in Hawaii’s ban, and his reef-safe sunscreen brand
Raw Elements, is now bringing the fight for sustainability to the mainland.
JULY 2, 2018 - LOS ANGELES - On July 3, 2018, Hawaii’s governor David Ige will sign into law Bill 2571 that will ban chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate – thanks, in large part, to certified natural sunscreen brand Raw Elements.
Recent studies on chemical sunscreens have shown these two ingredients - not contained in Raw Elements - are believed to be destroying coral reefs.
“It’s a huge victory for Hawaii to ban the sale of chemical sunscreens killing Hawaii’s coral reefs,” says Raw Elements CEO and Founder Brian Guadagno. “But the fight for responsible sustainability doesn’t stop there.”
Brian Guadagno has made the environmental hazards of sunscreen his top priority since 2011, following 20+ years as an ocean lifeguard experiencing first-hand the damaging effects of chemical sunscreens.
He’s also been a major player in the campaign to pass Bill 2571 in Hawaii, with Raw Elements championing local education and immediate change on this issue. The Raw Elements team is currently in communication with various other states, hotels and tourism boards including California, Florida and Maryland.
“Hawaii’s sunscreen ban goes beyond sunscreen. This conversation is about what we are doing to our environment just living our daily lives.”
“We will always have an impact on our environment, but my goal with Raw Elements is minimize that impact and have it be as positive as possible. For our brand, a large effort to expand the boundaries of what is possible in sustainable packaging is the greatest challenge we are undertaking.”
While Hawaii’s new law will not go into effect until 2021, the move has begun to resonate with hospitality professionals and tourism officials around the world.
Raw Elements continues to drive change through environmental awareness initiatives, most recently launching a successful sustainability campaign in collaboration with Hawaiian Airlines and Aqua Aston Hospitality, where passengers en route to the islands were introduced to Raw Elements and the need for reef-safe sunscreen.
###
ABOUT RAW ELEMENTS USA
Raw Elements USA®, a certified-natural, reef-safe sunscreen company, was developed by Brian Guadagno, a 20+ year Ocean Rescue lifeguard. While searching for a natural alternative to chemical sunscreens, Brian determined that one did not exist and felt a responsibility to find a solution. Raw Elements USA® is the conscious consumer’s answer to serious sun protection. Its mission is to create the safest, most effective sunscreen on the planet, using all-natural ingredients. The Raw Elements team continues to create the most trustworthy sun care products that are focused on sustainability, responsibility and education.
For the latest information on Raw Elements products, “like” Raw Elements on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram and visit their website.
CONTACT:
Danni Johnson, danni@rawelementsusa.com