I find pump dispensers such as my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish much more economical than the equivalent size tube as I get a measured "squirt" (2) for each use. So actually producing less waste. I also don't see how a pump bottle is any less environmentally friendly than a plastic bottle/tube or glass bottle as all are recyclable in our current system.
The reasons why people have become more economical are interesting. My mum would have thought it just "common sense" just as she carried her shopping in a "shopping bag", reused cinders/ash from the coal fire to keep the front path from freezing in the winter, made firelighters from twisted plaits of newspaper and pressed ends of soap together from the bathroom to make an unattractive beigey/grey "soap" for the kitchen.
Now it's called saving the planet.
Is it me or am I getting mixed messages