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What does it mean to be planet positive in the beauty industry? It’s a question that will be addressed in this week’s British Beauty Week as the Sustainable Beauty Coalition collaborates with Marie Claire’s Lisa Oxenham to begin the discussion about what consumers need to know about sustainable beauty brands, transparency, greenwashing and leglislation. And, the best part is that we’re all invited to this view this discussion from the comfort of our homes.
As conscious consumers it’s important to be aware our how our everyday products are impacting our health and that of the planet. Even though it’s not always front in center in the discusssion around sustainability, the sentiment holds true for the beauty industry. The Environmental Protection Agency found that in 2004, the average adult used 9 personal care products daily that contained 126 unique chemical ingredients. It’s no wonder that the report also showed that 1 out of every 13 women were exposed to carcinogens every day through these products. On a waste note, an estimated 70% of waste from the beauty industry comes from packaging. According to some recent reports the industry churns out 120 billion units of packaging yearly.
Your tube of lipstick has a bigger impact than many of us realize. Yet, while the idea of using clean ingredients has caught on (somewhat), sustainable packaging or other environmentally friendly initiatives haven’t been at the forefront in the industry. The Sustainable Beauty Coalition aims to change that. Formed by the British Beauty Council in 2020, industry leaders join together to find solutions to help the beauty industry be a part of the solution (and not the problem) of the climate crisis.
The aim of the coalition is to bring together industry experts from companies like Avon, Lush and Floral Street Fragrances to “develop a clear strategy, roadmap and initiatives which will accelerate the sustainability efforts of the industry.” And, by making sustainable beauty a priority in the U.K, perhaps other countries will take note and be influenced to change.
LEARN ABOUT TRANSPARENCY, SUSTAINABLE BRANDS AND BEING “PLANET POSITIVE”” AT BRITISH BEUTY WEEK
Urgent Change Is Needed Now
There is an argument that the beauty industry is not regulated enough and that makes it a catalyst for health and environmental risks. One example is a series of studies done by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) showing that ingredients labeled by the US government as safe are also “known or probable carcinogens.” Other ingredients that are popular in beauty products like triclosan are known to be highly toxic to aquatic animals.
Eighty-nine percent of 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by… any publicly accountable institution.
Environmental Working Group
There are also environmental and health concerns about the plastic waste from packaging. An estimated 120 billion pieces of plastic packaging are attributed to the beauty industry worldwide. Unfortunately, the average household doesn’t recycle lipstick tubes or empty eye shadow palettes. According to the EPA, less than 30% of plastic packaging is recycled. This plastic waste contributes to toxins leeching into the soil and water resources close to landfills and greenhouse gases being emitted that contribute to global warming.
What The Coalition Will Do
The Sustainable Beauty Coalition will focus on three key areas. The first is Transparency and Accountability which will provide clear information to help consumers and brands understand what sustainability means. Standards and Certification will offer industry-wide measures to ensure that certain standards have been properly vetted. The last pillar is Innovation and Technology which will explore how technology can fuel sustainable growth within the industry.
These focus areas will bring together a broader range of experts within the beauty industry to help support the race to reduce carbon emissions and develop a stronger framework for green initiatives.
What This Means For Consumers
For British consumers, this coalition could be the beginning of an industry changing to be better. Instead of niche brands offering zero-waste packaging, more beauty brands could offer refillable cases and biodegradable packaging. This would be done through the coalitions education programs and various leading brands and experts coming together to develop sustainable solutions. These are just a few key areas that the coalition can make a difference that can drive change for the beauty industry as a whole.
5 Reasons To Choose Beauty Products Without Plastic Packaging
As larger brands begin to take notice of how they’re impacting the environment and begin to change, that makes it easier for smaller brands who have a limited pool when it comes to the supply chain. And, as brands begin to focus on and advertise their sustainable initiatives, more consumers can become aware of how products affect their health and how their habits ( for instance to recycle or not recycle) are impacting the planet that we live on.