No matter which label you choose – ‘clean’, ‘green’, vegan’, cruelty-free’-- your beauty choices have an impact. The international beauty industry is a multi-billion dollar business that produces enormous amounts of difficult-to-recycle packaging because of their small size and materials used. According to Pact Collective, “each year, 120 billion cosmetic packages are created and only a fraction get recycled.” This is not only because people aren’t using their blue bins. GreenPeace reported that the vast majority of recycled plastic ends up in landfills for a number of reasons, whether that’s contamination, poor municipal systems, or the sheer quantity of it cannot be reused.
It’s a hard pill to swallow, especially when you love skincare and all things beauty! As a Skin Therapist who works with many brands, I look at my shelves and see more products than I know what to do with. I’m often overwhelmed by the impact this can have on the environment. Even though my consumption and yours alike is a drop in the bucket when faced with the enormity of the plastic problem, our collective efforts can help.
So, where do you start?
Use less, more consistently.
You can blame social media and marketing for pushing the latest “must-have” products and trends, but we must take responsibility. How much of this is actually used? The trendiest products end up sitting in the cupboard until the next spring cleaning. This may seem obvious, but needs to be repeated: only buy what you’ll use.
When you use less, not only will you end up with fewer packages, but also a better beauty routine. Over the last decade, many of the clients have confessed to having a cupboard full of products they don’t know what to do with. They never get the skin results they’re looking for because they aren’t staying consistent with any one product, or using too many. A simple, focused skincare routine can get better results and reduce waste along the way. If you want to focus on your routine and don’t know where to start, speak to an expert! You can book a skin consultation with me where we will audit your routine and craft a custom, simplified routine.
Choose packaging carefully
When considering beauty products, start including the following criterion: “how can I dispose of this responsibly?” Efficacy and sustainability should be equally important. Many types of plastic and tiny components found in beauty packaging go to the landfill and cannot be reused. Thankfully there are so many incredible brands prioritizing formulas and packaging that are better for you and the planet. More and more brands are offering plastic-free or refillable options, such as Ember Wellness, Etymologie, Graydon, Zyderma, Minori, and Elate Beauty.
Think before you toss
Each municipal region has its own parameters about what can be included in recycle bins. It pays to research what your local recycling program includes. The size and colour of plastic must be considered. Across all locations, contamination is often a main reason packaging ends up in the landfill. It takes more time, but by spending a few minutes cleaning your glass and plastic containers will give your packaging a better chance. Plastic labels and foil labels are also problematic when it comes to the blue bin. Remove all labels before you toss. If recycling in your blue bin is not an option, seek out programs like Pact Collective or TerraCycle, which collect and recycle personal care packaging that otherwise ends up in landfills.
It can be so overwhelming to think our efforts can have an impact, but getting to know your skincare brands and local shops (like Truth Beauty Company!) keeps the dialogue open and allows your voice to be heard when you see an opportunity for change or want to make more conscious choices. Small steps can lead to big changes. Let’s do our part to make beauty better for us and the environment around us.
Written Seanna Cohen, Skin Therapist In-Residence
