The Dark Truth Of Plastic In Beauty Products

The beauty industry has a plastics problem. In 2018, almost 7.9 billion units of rigid plastic were created for beauty and personal care products in the US alone. The industry is heavy on packaging, and it appears to be using more than ever. In 2010, the industry produced 65.62 billion plastic packaging units. The personal care and beauty industry produces more than 120 billion units of packaging every year globally, most of which are not truly recyclable.

Plastic pollution from beauty products

The beauty industry has rarely been held accountable for the plastic waste it generates, despite its massive global output of a material that never breaks down. However, some initiatives are tackling this issue. The Alliance to End Plastic Waste, formed by prominent industry players such as Henkel and P&G, aims to accelerate waste management and scale new solutions to minimise and correctly manage plastic waste. The Personal Care and Beauty Recycling Programme has successfully recycled more than 72,000 items of beauty product packaging. Additionally, the Aveda skincare and hair brand uses 100% post-consumer-recycled material for over 85% of its products.

While these initiatives are a step in the right direction, the beauty industry's plastic pollution problem is set to worsen. The global cosmetics market is expected to grow from US$341.1 billion in 2020 to US$560.50 billion by 2030, leading to an increase in plastic packaging production. Since 1950, when large-scale plastic production began, only 9% of the world's plastic has been recycled. This highlights the urgent need to address plastic pollution from beauty products and encourage more sustainable practices in the industry.

Plastic packaging in the beauty industry

The beauty industry has a huge plastic problem. It is said to create 120 billion units of plastic packaging waste every year, with almost 7.9 billion units of rigid plastic created just for beauty and personal care products in the US alone.

The issue is not just the amount of plastic packaging used, but also the fact that most of it is not truly recyclable. Multi-layer/multi-component plastics don't have a recycling stream, and even the small portion that is technically recyclable often isn't recycled due to the substantial water and energy requirements of the process. Since 1950, when large-scale plastic production began, only 9% of the world's plastic has been recycled.

The global market for cosmetic packaging is about to breach the $30 billion mark, and the challenge of cutting back on or eliminating plastic packaging is a significant one. Some small companies have prioritised using plastic-free packaging from the start, but for larger companies, the challenge is more complex. The most common alternative to plastic is glass, which is almost infinitely recyclable but can cost up to 10 times more than plastic.

There is a revolution in refillable and reusable packaging for personal care products, which will help reduce waste and dependency on single-use items. However, the beauty industry's plastic footprint has increased by over 120 times since 1960, and the problem is set to get worse as the industry grows.

Plastic waste from beauty products

The beauty industry has a plastics problem. In 2018, almost 7.9 billion units of rigid plastic were created for beauty and personal care products in the US alone. The industry is heavy on packaging, and it appears to be using more than ever. In 2010, the industry produced 65.62 billion plastic packaging units globally. This includes the thin cellophane wrapping on many boxes, liners that prove the product is sealed, and the plastic bottles and caps in which they are contained.

The personal care and beauty industry produces more than 120 billion units of packaging every year globally, most of which are not truly recyclable. Since 1950, the beginning of large-scale plastic production, only 9% of the world’s plastic has been recycled.

However, some brands are trying to reduce their plastic waste. The Aveda skincare and hair brand uses 100% post-consumer-recycled material for more than 85% of its products. In addition, prominent industry players such as Henkel and P&G have formed the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, which aims to accelerate waste management and scale new solutions to minimise and correctly manage plastic waste.

Beauty product packaging recycling

The beauty industry is a major contributor to the world's plastic problem. In 2018, the US alone created almost 7.9 billion units of rigid plastic for beauty and personal care products. The industry is heavy on packaging, with plastic being a quintessential part of the beauty buyer's experience. From the thin cellophane wrapping on boxes to the plastic bottles and caps that contain products, plastic is everywhere in the beauty industry.

The personal care and beauty industry produces more than 120 billion units of packaging every year globally, most of which is not truly recyclable. Since 1950, the beginning of large-scale plastic production, only 9% of the world's plastic has been recycled. This is a source of plastic pollution that needs to be addressed.

Some initiatives are already tackling this issue. The Personal Care and Beauty Recycling Programme has successfully recycled more than 72,000 items of beauty product packaging. The Alliance to End Plastic Waste, formed by prominent industry players such as Henkel and P&G, aims to accelerate waste management and scale new solutions to minimise and correctly manage plastic waste.

There are also simple ways that individuals can reduce their plastic consumption from beauty products. For example, bamboo toothbrushes can be used instead of plastic ones, and makeup remover cloths can replace single-use wipes.

Plastic alternatives for beauty products

The beauty industry has a significant plastic problem, with the majority of the 120 billion units of packaging it produces globally every year being non-recyclable. Plastic is cheap, durable and easily moulded, but it takes hundreds of years to decompose, resulting in an alarming amount of waste.

However, there are alternatives to plastic packaging for beauty products. Glass is a well-established alternative that is infinitely recyclable, non-toxic, and can be reused multiple times without affecting the quality of the product. Metal packaging is also endlessly recyclable and provides a high-end and luxurious feel to products. Biodegradable and compostable plastics are another option, made from renewable resources such as cornstarch, sugarcane, and potato starch. These break down quicker and produce fewer emissions than traditional plastics, but they still require proper disposal to have a positive impact.

Brands are starting to shift towards sustainable packaging and investing in more responsible and ethical practices. Refillable packaging is another alternative that is gaining popularity in the beauty industry.

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