Omar Khalid
The beauty industry is a major contributor to plastic waste, with an estimated 120 billion units of non-recyclable packaging produced annually. However, consumers and brands are increasingly aware of the negative environmental impact of plastic pollution and are seeking ways to reduce plastic waste in beauty products. This involves adopting more sustainable practices, such as using refillable products, switching to eco-friendly ingredients, and exploring plastic alternatives like bamboo or glass packaging. Consumers are also encouraged to recycle or reuse empty containers and choose products with minimal packaging to reduce plastic consumption and waste. The growing demand for sustainable beauty options is driving brands to innovate and find new ways to deliver products without compromising the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Refillable products | 64% of shoppers expect brands to offer better schemes for removing plastic packaging. |
| Plastic offsetting | Cosmetic brands can invest in initiatives working to extract plastic from the environment. |
| Larger containers | Less packaging is wasted, as products can be used for longer and customers require fewer orders. |
| Recommerce | Flavedo and Albedo re-sell ‘imperfect picks’ on their website. |
| Bamboo | EcoTools uses bamboo to create makeup brush handles. |
| Paper | Elate Clean Cosmetics uses seed paper for packaging. |
| Recycled plastics and papers | Beauty companies can use recycled materials to make their plastic products. |
| Recycling programmes | Colgate Oral Care Recycling Programme allows customers to drop off old plastic toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, etc. |
| Aluminium | Proctor & Gamble will launch aluminium bottles and refill pouches using 60% less plastic. |
| Glass | Meow Meow Tweet uses glass jars for deodorant. |
| Bar soap | Using bar soap instead of liquid body wash can decrease plastic use. |
| Reusable cloths | Package Free sells reusable cloths to replace cotton pads or cotton balls that come in plastic bags. |
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What You'll Learn
Refillable products and plastic alternatives
Refillable products are a great way to reduce plastic waste in the beauty industry. By prolonging the use of material value, refillable products minimise the need for new materials, lower transport costs and reduce CO2 emissions.
Some brands, like Sephora, Sol de Janeiro, and Plaine Products, offer refills on select fragrances, deodorants, and bath products. Others, like Glossier, Kiehl's, and Ouai, provide refills for their beauty products, including hair and skincare lines. Many consumers are embracing the refillable model, with 64% of shoppers expecting brands to offer better schemes for removing plastic packaging.
In addition to refills, some brands are removing packaging altogether or using alternative materials. For instance, bamboo has emerged as a highly sustainable and renewable material used in place of plastic. It is durable, lightweight, and compostable. Similarly, glass and metal packaging are popular alternatives as they are recyclable, provide a luxurious feel to products, and can be reused multiple times without affecting the quality.
Some companies are also using mushroom packaging, made from mycelium, as an eco-friendly and biodegradable alternative to plastic foams. Others are opting for paper and cardboard as secondary packaging, which are easily recyclable and can be sourced from well-managed forests.
While the refillable market is growing, it is important to simplify the process for customers. For instance, providing refill containers made from recyclable materials that can be inserted into reusable outer containers. By embracing refillable products and plastic alternatives, beauty brands can actively contribute to reducing plastic waste and demonstrating a sustainable commitment to their customers.
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Recycle and return schemes
Recycling and return schemes are a great way to reduce plastic waste from beauty products. Many brands are now offering such schemes, with incentives for consumers to return their empty containers. MAC Cosmetics' Back-to-MAC program, for instance, allows consumers to return their empty containers to a participating store or fill up a box and mail them to the company. In return, consumers can choose a free standard lipstick of their choice. Similarly, Lush offers a free fresh face mask in exchange for five empty and cleaned pots.
Some brands, like Beauty Kitchen, offer loyalty points for recycling. You can drop off any empty Beauty Kitchen packaging with the Return Refill Repeat logo at a Holland & Barrett store and receive free points on your Holland & Barrett loyalty card. Maybelline also has collection points in 1,000 Boots, Superdrug, Tesco, and Sainsbury's stores nationwide, accepting all brands of makeup products.
For smaller items that can't be recycled at home, there are schemes in retail stores where these items can be collected for recycling. Boots, for example, has introduced a recycling scheme for beauty, health, and wellness products, where you receive 500 Advantage Card points for returning five items of any brand. The scheme accepts a wide range of hard-to-recycle products, including toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, lip balms, and creams.
There are also independent refill shops across the UK that offer refill options for hand soap, moisturiser, shampoo, and conditioner. Plastic bottles for these products can also be recycled at home using your local council's collection services.
To make recycling easier, websites like Recyclenow have a Recycling Locator tool that displays scheme locations, which can be filtered by packaging or product type. This ensures that beauty products and packaging that are not accepted in household recycling are still recycled and do not end up in the waste bin.
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Eco-friendly ingredients and packaging
The beauty industry is a major contributor to plastic waste, with around 120 billion units of packaging produced every year, most of which is non-recyclable. However, consumers are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of their purchasing habits and are demanding more sustainable options. This presents a unique opportunity for luxury beauty brands to pioneer sustainable solutions that can be scaled up for the mainstream market.
One way to reduce plastic waste is to adopt a refillable model, which prolongs the use of materials, minimises the need for new materials, and lowers transport costs and CO2 emissions. For example, Wild, a deodorant brand, uses aluminium and post-consumer recycled plastic for its refillable case, along with paper pulp-based refills that are home compostable. Beauty brands can also offer incentives for customers to return empty products, such as reward points or free products.
To create more sustainable packaging, brands can switch to eco-friendly materials such as glass, metal, bamboo, paper, and cardboard, which are easily recyclable and biodegradable. Bamboo, in particular, is lightweight, durable, and cultivated without the use of insecticides or pesticides. Seaweed is another innovative option, offering an edible and dissolvable packaging solution that is suitable for liquid-based cosmetics.
In addition to packaging, beauty brands can reduce their environmental impact by using eco-friendly ingredients. For instance, coffee grounds can be used instead of microbeads, and plant-based or organic options can reduce pollution from harmful chemicals. By adopting these sustainable practices, beauty brands can contribute to a positive impact on the environment and meet the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products.
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Reduce over-packaging and waste
The beauty industry is one of the biggest contributors to plastic waste, with an estimated 120 billion units of plastic packaging waste generated globally every year. Single-use plastics are the primary source of plastic pollution, and the industry's focus on the external appearance of products often leads to excessive and unnecessary packaging.
To reduce over-packaging and waste, beauty brands can adopt several strategies:
Offer Refillable Products
Providing refillable options or recyclable containers that customers can reuse is a sustainable consumption model. It reduces the demand for new packaging materials and encourages a sense of responsibility among consumers, who take ownership of waste reduction efforts. Some brands have introduced take-back programs, where customers can return empty beauty packaging for recycling or upcycling, ensuring proper disposal and repurposing of materials.
Supersize Offerings
Selling products in larger containers, such as 1-liter or 2-liter sizes, reduces packaging waste as products last longer and require fewer orders and deliveries, thereby reducing carbon emissions during shipping. Beauty brands can also consider partnering with transport companies to develop packaging methods that optimize truck space and produce less waste, such as switching from boxes to cardboard envelopes.
Embrace Transparency and Sustainability
Brands that are transparent about their plastic footprint and actively work towards reducing waste will attract loyal customers. Regularly sharing reports on waste reduction efforts can motivate consumers to opt for refillable products or supersized packages. Embracing sustainability also extends to product ingredients, where eco-friendly alternatives like bamboo or coffee grounds can replace potentially harmful substances.
Innovate with Sustainable Packaging Materials
Transitioning to biodegradable and sustainable materials is crucial. Glass, metal packaging (steel or aluminum), cardboard, cork, and even innovative materials like seaweed or mushrooms are viable alternatives to traditional plastic packaging. Recycled plastics can also be utilized, but their limitations should be acknowledged, and higher price points can help stress-test emerging, more sustainable solutions.
Boycott Major Consumption Events
Beauty brands can work together to boycott major consumption events like Black Friday, reducing the overall environmental impact of excessive production and consumption.
By implementing these strategies, beauty brands can significantly reduce over-packaging and waste, contributing to a more sustainable future.
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Reusable and biodegradable products
The beauty industry is a major contributor to plastic waste, with most of its packaging ending up in landfills. However, the good news is that consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable alternatives, and brands are listening.
Reusable Products
Reusable products are an effective way to reduce plastic waste. For example, Organic Cotton Mart offers soft, easy-to-wash cotton makeup remover pads made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. These pads deliver the same convenience and results as single-use cotton rounds without the environmental impact. Similarly, flexible menstrual cups, such as those offered by Saalt, are reusable and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional menstrual products, which often contain plastic.
For makeup, brands like Valdé and Kjaer Weis offer refillable options. Valdé's winged packaging and magnifying mirror are designed to be collected, reused, and refilled, avoiding single-use plastic. Kjaer Weis, a luxury beauty brand, offers refillable packaging, allowing customers to choose their shades and customize their collection. Additionally, Kjaer Weis uses recyclable and compostable shipping materials, further reducing their environmental impact.
Biodegradable Products
Biodegradable products play a crucial role in minimizing plastic waste. For instance, Wild, the world's first zero-plastic refill deodorant, uses paper pulp-based refills that are home compostable. Another example is Noto Botanics' multitasking stick, which simplifies your beauty routine with a two-in-one product for lips and cheeks. The product is packaged in a buildable pigment stick, eliminating the need for multiple plastic containers.
Some brands, like Fat & the Moon, prioritize using recyclable and/or reusable containers and minimizing excess packaging. Their products are handcrafted with organically harvested and cultivated plants, and they offer cheek and lip paint in small glass or tin pots. Additionally, Zero Waste Store offers makeup products in compostable cardboard or glass containers, with packaging made from post-consumer recycled materials.
While living a completely zero-waste lifestyle can be challenging, making imperfect steps towards sustainability is better than none. By adopting reusable and biodegradable products, we can significantly reduce our plastic waste and contribute to a healthier planet.
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Frequently asked questions
You can reduce plastic waste by opting for refillable products, which prolongs the use of the material value and minimises the need for new materials. You can also look out for brands that use recycled materials to make their plastic products.
You can check if a brand uses recycled materials by looking at their packaging or website. Some brands will explicitly state if they use recycled materials, while others may provide a percentage of recycled content.
Deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are common plastic waste offenders. You can replace them with deodorant in glass jars, bar shampoo, and bar soap, which often come without packaging.
You can reduce plastic waste by buying only what you need and will use. This simple tactic can help reduce waste, clutter, and spending. You can also look for brands that offer recycling programmes for their used products, such as Colgate's Oral Care Recycling Programme.
