Recycling Cosmetic Items: Why This Essential Action Matters
In the world of beauty, sustainability is becoming increasingly important. Here are some key points and practical advice on how to recycle beauty product packaging effectively and make more eco-friendly choices.
Identifying Recyclable Materials
- Commonly used materials in beauty packaging:
- PET and HDPE plastics: Often used for shampoo bottles, moisturiser jars, they are widely recyclable in many areas.
- Glass jars and bottles: Common for skincare products; these can be recycled through regular glass recycling.
- Cardboard boxes: Outer packaging boxes are generally recyclable with paper/cardboard recycling.
- Avoid or handle items with care:
- Pumps, sprayers, and flexible tubes: These usually combine materials (plastic + metal) and are difficult to recycle in standard systems.
Recycling Preparation
- Preparing for recycling:
- Rinse out bottles and jars with warm water and a small brush to remove residue.
- For tubes (e.g., mascara or lip balm) that are recyclable, snip off the crimped end and thoroughly clean them before recycling.
- Remove non-recyclable parts like droppers and lids and dispose of them in general waste if required.
Choosing Sustainable Packaging
- Optimising for sustainability:
- Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastics: Reduce waste and are accepted by many recycling programs.
- Bio-based plastics: Made from renewable materials (sugarcane, corn starch) can have lower carbon impact but may require industrial composting for biodegradability.
- Alternative materials: Glass, bamboo, aluminium tubes, and FSC-certified paperboard are increasingly used by brands to improve sustainability.
- Brand-specific recycling programs:
- Some companies, like Dang Lifestyle, partner with specialized recyclers for beauty packaging and accept used empties via mail-in programs.
- Trilogy, for example, uses mainly glass and recyclable tubes and provides explicit instructions on cleaning and disposing of packaging parts.
Additional Sustainability Efforts
- Innovations in sustainability:
- Brands are adopting refillable containers, recyclable pouches, and multifunctional packaging to enhance circularity.
- Minimalist packaging, removal of excess materials, and secondary-use designs (e.g., packaging doubles as storage) are trends reducing waste and improving recyclability.
Sustainable Beauty Brands
- Leading the way in sustainability:
- L'Occitane has TerraCycle collection points in their stores and has sponsored beach cleans all over the UK.
- The Body Shop has a refill program and has made 12 of their most-loved products refillable with 718 refill stations in 40 countries.
- Neal's Yard Remedies has always been at the forefront of cutting back on plastics and offers in-store recycling and refilling.
- Ren Skincare is 100% zero waste and has stopped the use of single-use sachets and saved 4.4 million plastics from entering landfill.
By making conscious choices and following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your beauty routine. For more detailed sorting instructions and to maximise recycling success, check local recycling guidelines since acceptance of materials may vary by location and facility capabilities. Signing up for brand-specific programs or partnering with organisations like Ecobarter can also help ensure proper recycling.
- In the realm of fashion and lifestyle, sustainability has gained prominence, expanding to sectors like home-and-garden and sustainable-living.
- Beauty, as a form of self-expression and art, is not left behind, with celebrities endorsing eco-friendly brands and products to advocate for climate-change awareness.
- Environmental-science research has shed light on the pressing need for sustainable choices in packaging, which the beauty industry is now addressing proactively.
- A shift towards using science-backed materials like PCR plastics, bio-based plastics, glass, bamboo, aluminium tubes, and FSC-certified paperboard is evident in the industry's product design.
- Embracing a sustainable lifestyle doesn't stop at beauty product choices; it extends to shopping for clothing and home accessories that adhere to sustainable practices.
- The union of beauty, science, and fashion is no longer focused solely on achieving personal style; instead, it aspires to preserve the environment for future generations while enhancing one's personal beauty and well-being.
