Finding eco friendly skincare packaging that is visually appealing is easier than ever before. More people are demanding this in the products they consume. This not only attracts consumers on a visual level but makes them feel better about using their products. Companies are increasingly looking forward to embracing eco-friendly, sustainable packaging more than ever. Sustainable packaging materials allow you to protect the environment. Irrespective of where you live, it is vital to make your community greener and safer.
“The amount of plastic packaging on U.S. products (not just on personal care items) has increased by over 120 times since 1960—with almost 70 percent of that waste piling up in landfills.” – National Geographic
What is the problem with cosmetic packaging?
Plastics are the product of human innovation. Plastic packaging is lightweight, durable and decay resistant. They are used in most industries. The problem is that plastic can impact the earth’s eco systems. Most of plastics end up in landfills and in natural areas that affect plants and animals.
“Microbeads and microplastics, travelling from sink to sea, cause irreparable damage to marine life. VOCs in fragrances and hairsprays contributing to air pollution, and palm oil in 70% of cosmetics playing a role in existential-grade deforestation.” – Inside Packaging
Environmental costs.
Green house gases are emitted in the creation of plastics.
Pollution – Waste is sent to landfills and also ends up in natural environments like our oceans.
Landfill space is limited. 91% of packaging waste ends in a landfill.
Natural resources are used to create plastics.
What plastic packaging can be recycled best?
The best is no packaging, but your products have to be packed in some form of packaging. Find out what type of packaging you have from the manufacturers you order from. Many times you can look at the bottom of the bottle and see what type of plastic it is made of. If you buy plastic containers, the ones that have the #1 and #2 with arrows are the most common that get recycled. Products that have less packaging material is also better.
What can we do to help reduce packaging waste?
Other packaging like glass, aluminum, steel and cardboard can be recycled. We can educate our clients on eco friendly skincare packaging and how to recycle. Remind them what components of the packaging can be recycled. Some skincare businesses offer a refill program. You can have a promotion where they get a discount when they bring in their cleaned / rinsed out empty packaging. Many bottles that have pump or airless components are recyclable but need to be broken down to be recycled before they are put in the recycle bin.
Shipping components that can be sustainable.
Even shipping packaging can be recyclable. Most people are using 100% starch biodegradable packaging peanuts due to demands from customers and vendors. Paper can also be used to pack instead of plastic or bubble.
Recyclable vs Sustainable
Recycling is the process of converting waste back into a form that can be converted again into something new. This means the product is manufactured at least to some extent from recycled materials, or those recovered from previously used materials. They may be made of about 10-50% recycled material. Recyclable can be saved for future reuse. Recycling facilities can vary. Some may over look some items that can be recycled.
Sustainable materials are all made from new raw materials that are routinely replaced in nature. For example packaging board that comes from trees grown from sustainable resource that replants trees to replace the trees cut for materials.
Is you packaging recyclable?
Some types of plastics that can be recycled and used as eco-friendly, sustainable packaging materials
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET) – To recycle PET plastic, all you need to do is collect, filter, sort, rinse, and recycle your PET plastic bottles, containers, and packaging. The recycling of PET is critical in order to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and to keep our environment clean. It not only helps to reduce waste but it also allows for recycling, as PET can be used as a fiber or a food-grade container. Some of our airless options contain this option. Take the bottles apart and clean them out before recycling.
Polypropylene (PP) – Polypropylene, which is often shortened to “PP,” is a thermoplastic polymer which is widely used for many, many applications. Polypropylene is one of the environmentally friendly plastics. It’s also used by many industries, including automotive, medical and retail to create many types of products. As a result, polypropylene recycling has become a necessary function of the polypropylene lifecycle. Many of our plastic bottles are made from this type of plastic. When recycling it clean it out before putting it in the bin.
Aluminum is 100% recyclable and can be reused without a huge decrease in quality. According to the Aluminum Association, practically 75% of all aluminum ever produced is as yet being used today.
Glass is 100% recyclable and doesn’t encounter any quality loss through the cycle. For your items, glass packaging produced with reused content is the most sustainable option you can choose for your customers, costs, and the environment. The amazing thing about glass is that is can be recycled endlessly without losing quality or purity. Glass is one material that is recycled by colors; amber, clear, green and light pink are recyclable, but opal, mirrored or any other colors are not recyclable for a variety of reasons.
Other packaging options
Polyethylene (PE), and Polystyrene (PS). Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE),
As beauty brands and businesses we need to move towards eco friendly skincare packaging options that are more sustainable. This is a lifestyle choice and it does take commitment. You can get involved in the community and find out how the recycling in your area works. Asking questions to the recycling company can help you decide how you can break down jars and bottles for recycling. Educate and remind your customers about recycling.
References:
https://supplychain.edf.org/resources/sustainability-101-packaging-waste-the-problem/
naturalgeographic.com
https://inside-packaging.nridigital.com/packaging_jul21/beauty_packaging_plastic_waste