Eco-friendly packaging: Brands Offering Recycling Programs You’ll Love

One of the major problems in the beauty industry when it comes to sustainability relates to their use of plastic and huge amounts of waste. Unfortunately, plastic has become the norm for packaging due to its durability, mass production and most importantly, cheap cost. Therefore, even though a lot of brands are vegan and cruelty free, they still contribute significantly to environmental issues as most of them don’t offer 100% zero-waste packaging. Even worse, even when eco-friendly packaging is offered, consumers often dismiss recycling and the packaging ends up in landfills.

Sustainable or zero-waste brands are less common in the industry than we might think and are also unaffordable for most. Fortunately, some beauty brands are implementing recycling programs to encourage consumers to properly dispose of empty products. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable beauty recycling programs and how they’re making a difference.

Kiehl’s:

The “Recycle and Be Rewarded” program at Kiehl’s allows you to return empty products to their stores. In exchange, consumers receive points for every empty product that can be redeemed for a sample-size product or a reusable Kiehl’s tote bag.

MAC Cosmetics:

Unfortunately MAC is not a cruelty free brand. However, if you’re a MAC customer we still encourage you to return your empties and recycle them through their “Back to Mac” program. Until last year, customers were able to trade 6 empty products for a new full size product. However, MAC decided to get rid of such incentives. Still the program is still active and customers should take advantage of it regardless of the incentive.

Lush:

Lush accepts any empty from products that come packaged in black or clear pots, as well as mascara and lip balm tubes. In exchange, customers receive $1 off their next order per empty product or a free fresh face mask for 5 empty products. The plastic is then processed and converted into new lush packaging! 

Ultimately the best way to help the environment is by avoiding overconsumption. Not all brands offer recycling programs or even sustainable packaging, and no matter what they do their carbon emission will continue to increase. Although it might be hard to encounter zero-waste packaging, it is our responsibility to recycle when we can and adopt sustainable practices such as buying products in recyclable packaging such as glass, supporting local brands and avoiding buying products we don’t need. 

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