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Spring is always a good time to revamp our beauty routines. It’s also a good time to break up with single-use plastic. After all, why not? Out of the millions of single-use plastic beauty products sold yearly, only 1 in 5 Americans will recycle those containers. Some brands are responding by breaking up with single-use plastic for us and offering our favorite bronzers and cleansing formulas in compostable and refillable containers. Plus, they’re easy to shop for too. From Sephora’s Planet Friendly Seal to zero waste shops, it’s never been easier to shop for eco beauty products that will reduce the clutter, waste and even toxic chemicals from your beauty routine.
Washable & Reusable Cotton Rounds
This pack of cotton rounds can replace your typical plastic bag of cotton balls. Simply use and place in the laundry to clean and reuse. These pads are made from compostable organic cotton and bamboo and recyclable polyester threads. Use them to take off makeup or to apply your favorite toner or serum.
Environmental Impact: The most environmental products are the ones that we can reuse. Ten organic cotton rounds can replace the plastic bags of cotton balls that are purchased and disposed of throughout the year.
Solid Facial Cleansers
French clay and sweet orange oil gently cleanse skin without over drying in this solid facial cleanser. Other ingredients are plant-based, certified vegan and not tested on animals. Best of all, 4 facial bars are minimally packaged in a paper box to be plastic free.
Environmental Impact: It wasn’t that long ago that solid soaps and cleansers were the norm. But, now it’s more common to see liquid soaps in thick plastic containers than it is to see cleansing bars. This not only creates waste from excess plastic packaging, but also excess water use. It’s estimated that the average liquid soap is 70% water. By choosing a solid beauty product that is minimally packaged you can save 3 x 350mL plastic bottles and 2750 milliters of water.
Refillable Moisturizers
This moisturizer is packed with plant-derived ingredients like pomegranate spheres and orange blossom peptides to provide plumping hydration all day long. Best of all, the jars can be refilled to help prevent more plastic waste and all refill jars are recyclable.
Each refill pod provides 30 days of skin smoothing hydration. If you opt for the refill cup, you can save 11 jars from going into the landfill each year.
Environmental Impact: The packaging for this item is a combination of materials with some being recyclable or refillable. The caps, pumps and jars cannot be recycled. But, as a refillable product you can reuse them for your next moisturizer purchase. The refillable cups are recyclable along with the foil seals. The paper cartons are made from Forest Stewardship Council certified paperboard that can also be recycled.
Resuable Sheet Mask
You may not realize it, but sheet masks are a single-use plastic product. This mask allows you to use, rinse and repeat for several months instead of using once and tossing into the trash after a few minutes. To use, simply apply your favorite serums and moisturizers to reap the benefits.
Environmental Impact: Similar to other single-use plastic items, these masks offer an alternative with a reusable product. That’s less plastic packaging and plastic products that you can save from becoming landfill waste.
Refillable Eyeshadow Palettes
Glossier’s eyeshadow palette is made with vegan ingredients that are safe for sensitive eyes and packaged in a refillable and recyclable container.
An estimated 70% of CO2 emissions attributed to the beauty industry can be eliminated if refillable containers were used.
Environmental Impact: The beauty industry generates approximately $49 billion in the U.S from millions of product units. A majority of the beauty products lining shelves are packaged in single-use plastic containers. Even containers that might be made from recyclable plastic are often not recycled by consumers. One solution to minimize plastic packaging is for products to be packaged in refillable containers. This allows plastic containers that might not normally be recyclable to be reused instead of being used only once.
Compostable Concealer & Bronzer
Plant-based ingredients like organic shea butter and grapeseed oil nourish and protect the skin while mica offers a subtle shimmer.
Environmental Impact: Yes, your next makeup item could be 100% compostable. That means that the packaging is made from organic matter that can be broken down in a compost environment and turned into new materials that add nutrients into the soil for the growth of plants and trees. This bronzing stick is packaged in compostable paper that you can compost at home or through your local municipality.
What The Future Of Sustainable Packaging For Beauty Brands Looks Like
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