The Dark Truth Of Beauty Products' Plastic Reality

The personal care and beauty industry produces more than 120 billion units of packaging every year globally, most of which are not truly recyclable. In 2018, in the U.S. alone, almost 7.9 billion units of rigid plastic were created just for beauty and personal care products. In addition, Plastic Soup researchers analysed the ingredients of over 7,000 beauty products and found that only 13% were free from microplastics. This article will explore the issue of plastic in beauty products and discuss the environmental impact of the beauty industry.

The personal care and beauty industry produces more than 120 billion units of packaging every year globally

The beauty industry's plastic problem is coming under increasing scrutiny. Scientists suggest that by 2050, about 12,000 metric tons of plastic waste will be in landfills or the natural environment. Consumers are taking a closer look at what's inside their makeup bags and Marie Kondo-ing their beauty routines. Market-intelligence agency Mintel has declared "sub-zero waste" one of the biggest trends for 2019 in cosmetics and personal care, as consumers look for ways to reduce waste in all aspects of their lives.

Last year, Plastic Soup researchers analysed the ingredients of over 7,000 beauty products and found that only 13% were free from microplastics. Wildlife is impacted by both the production and disposal of cosmetic products.

In 2018, the U.S. created almost 7.9 billion units of rigid plastic for beauty and personal care products

The personal care and beauty industry produces more than 120 billion units of packaging every year globally. In 2018, the U.S. alone created almost 7.9 billion units of rigid plastic for beauty and personal care products. This is a huge source of plastic pollution that needs to be addressed. Since 1950, the beginning of large-scale plastic production, only 9% of the world’s plastic has been recycled.

The beauty industry's obsession with plastic is a cause for concern. In addition to the 7.9 billion units of rigid plastic created for beauty and personal care products in the U.S. alone, 552 million plastic shampoo bottles are sold each year. This contributes to the already staggering amount of plastic waste that is accumulating in our environment.

The impact of cosmetic products on wildlife is twofold: it is affected by both the production and disposal of these products. Last year, Plastic Soup researchers analysed the ingredients of over 7,000 beauty products and found that only 13% were free from microplastics.

The good news is that consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of the beauty industry and are demanding change. Market-intelligence agency Mintel has declared “sub-zero waste” one of the biggest trends for 2019 in cosmetics and personal care. This shift in consumer behaviour is causing a change in the way we define green beauty. It is no longer enough for products to simply be organic or free of certain chemicals; the focus is now turning to the way in which these products are produced and packaged, and the impact this has on the environment.

The global cosmetics market generated approximately US$341.1 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow to US$560.50 billion by 2030

The beauty industry's obsession with plastic is a major source of plastic pollution. Since 1950, the beginning of large-scale plastic production, only 9% of the world's plastic has been recycled. This means that the vast majority of plastic waste is ending up in landfills or the natural environment, causing harm to wildlife and the planet.

The problem is only getting worse, with the global cosmetics market expected to continue growing in the coming years. This will likely lead to an increase in plastic pollution if no action is taken. Scientists predict that by 2050, about 12,000 metric tons of plastic waste will be in landfills or the natural environment.

To address this issue, consumers are increasingly looking for ways to reduce waste in their beauty routines. Market-intelligence agency Mintel has declared "sub-zero waste" one of the biggest trends for cosmetics and personal care. This shift in consumer behaviour is also changing how we define green beauty, with a focus not only on organic formulas and clean ingredient lists but also on the environmental impact of product packaging and production.

It is important for the cosmetics industry to listen to these consumer demands and take action to reduce plastic waste. This could include switching to recyclable or reusable packaging, reducing the use of plastic, and finding alternative materials that are more sustainable. By making these changes, the industry can help to protect the environment and ensure its long-term sustainability.

Plastic Soup researchers analysed the ingredients of over 7,000 beauty products and found that only 13% were free from microplastics

The personal care and beauty industry produces more than 120 billion units of packaging every year globally, most of which are not truly recyclable. In 2018, in the US alone, almost 7.9 billion units of rigid plastic were created just for beauty and personal care products.

The Plastic Soup Foundation, a Dutch non-profit organisation focused on ending plastic pollution, analysed the ingredients of over 7,000 beauty products and found that only 13% were free from microplastics. This means that 87% of products from the biggest brands contain so-called microplastics. These include shampoo, facial scrub, toothpaste, and makeup.

Microplastics are inexpensive and are most commonly added to cosmetics as an exfoliator, stabiliser, or texture. They are also the result of larger plastic items that have been disposed of as waste, breaking down into small pieces that measure 5mm or less.

The beauty industry's plastic problem is not just limited to packaging. Scientists suggest that by 2050, about 12,000 metric tons of plastic waste will be in landfills or the natural environment. This has led to a growing trend of consumers looking for ways to reduce waste in all aspects of their lives, including their beauty routines.

Market-intelligence agency Mintel has declared “sub-zero waste” one of the biggest trends for 2019 in cosmetics and personal care

The personal care and beauty industry produces more than 120 billion units of packaging every year globally, most of which are not truly recyclable. In 2018, in the U.S. alone, almost 7.9 billion units of rigid plastic were created just for beauty and personal care products.

The beauty industry's plastic problem is significant, with only 13% of 7,000 beauty products analysed by Plastic Soup researchers found to be free from microplastics. The industry's obsession with plastic is contributing to plastic pollution, with an estimated 12,000 metric tons of plastic waste expected to be in landfills or the natural environment by 2050.

The issue is compounded by the fact that much of the packaging is not recyclable due to multi-layer or multi-component plastics that don't have a recycling stream. Even for the portion that is recyclable, 90% of plastic is not recycled. As a result, companies like Superzero, a plastic-free bar beauty company, are gaining traction as consumers seek plastic-free alternatives.

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