We love our beauty products and the positive feelings our makeup gives us whether; it is a comforting scent, a luxurious facial oil, or a mood-boosting lipstick shade. But are these beauty pleasures causing havoc to the earth? From the plastic packaging filling landfills to cosmetic chemicals washing away down the drain and disrupting ocean life, our beauty routines need to be reconsidered. We clearly like the idea of ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’, but need to practice how to be more caring to the environment. According to Euromonitor International, 152.1 billion units of beauty and personal-care packaging were sold globally in 2018 alone, much of which will never be recycled. So the question spontaneously arises, how can sustainable cosmetics help the planet?
Unfortunately, the cosmetics industry also contributes to pollution and drains natural resources in multiple ways, but companies are getting smarter and making eco-friendly choices to help improve the situation.
Eco-friendly choices help the planet
It is important to consider a product’s life-cycle and avoid single-use materials. Simply switching from daily face wipes could save thousands from entering our oceans throughout our lifetime. Yes, face wipes might be easier, but due to our laziness, we are paying a high cost to the environment, ending up in landfills, our oceans, or blocking our sewers. The world is easily using over 15 billion wipes a year, which is horrifying to know. Instead, there are so many options we can choose from cloth cleansers to reusable treatment pads like Garnier’s Micellar Reusable Eco Pads.
Switch to products in recycled, recyclable, and reusable packaging
The popularity of PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic plays a big role here. Why use virgin plastics when you can use existing plastics for good use. Companies like REN are leading the way and offer Ocean Plastic bottles using materials collected from oceans, rivers, riverbanks, and beaches. Dove offers 100% recycled plastic bottles, while more than 85% of Aveda’s skin and hair care products contain 100% PCR plastic.
Additionally, brands have turned their focus to materials that can be easily reused such as glass and aluminum. Loop was started by TerraCycle and is the first reuse system that gives consumers a way to shop for their favorite products in durable, reusable packaging. Its aim is to provide a multi-brand shopping platform featuring favorite brands in packaging that is reusable. TerraCycle and Loop have received many awards and recognition for sustainability. Think of it as a modern-day milkman for beauty. When you finish your favorite shampoo or body wash, contact Loop, they’ll come and collect it, and deliver the same product in a glass or aluminum replacement!
Consider refillable choices
The beauty world listened to us and woke up to the problem of packaging wastes. Recycled plastics address this sustainable solution, and another rapidly growing answer is refillable beauty packaging. We have all become adaptable to bringing our own bags to the grocery store, now we will begin to familiarize ourselves with bringing our own shampoo, body wash, and other related bottles to be refilled. Striving to bring single-use packaging down to an absolute minimum, continues to challenge brands to think outside the box and create packages that last for years. Kjaer Weiss offers refillable chic compacts, and other reputable companies are trying to figure it out like Olay is one that is planning initiatives to impact this growing need. Olay’s Regenerist Whip moisturizer can be bought alongside a refill that fits right into the jar.
There are plenty of ways to reduce the adverse effects of pollution on our planet, from carbon-neutral production methods to refillable containers and innovative alternative packaging. These steps may sound small, but they are significant ways to clean up our beauty practice and offer a promising start, so consider choosing brands that take this serious commitment to saving our planet. Let’s stay on track and clean up our act!
