With the rise of demand for sustainable packaging materials and designs, the use of plastic in cosmetic packaging is decreasing as compared to materials like glass. This is mainly because plastic cosmetic tubes are considered non-recyclable.
Also, the non-recyclable cosmetic packaging must be disposed of in a proper way so that they do not add to the earth’s pollution.
The consumers cannot have the plastic tubes recycled nor can they use them multiple times. Therefore, the disposal of empty plastic cosmetic tubes becomes a headache.
Now, the question is whether plastic cosmetic tubes are really non-sustainable. Is there any way to recycle these cosmetic jars? And how can you make your beauty routine more eco-friendly even after using plastic tubes?
So, let us explore the responsibilities of beauty brands and consumers towards the sustainability and recyclability of plastic tubes in this article.
Are Plastic Tubes Difficult to Recycle?
There is not one definite answer to this question. Few plastic tubes are recyclable while others are not. The recyclability of any plastic container depends upon a few factors including,
- Number of layers of plastic tubes
- Type of plastic used
- Size of the cosmetic tubes
- The hygiene and cleaning of the residues in the tube
Therefore, the recyclability of plastic tubes is variable. Additionally, let us discuss each of the factors mentioned above along with the ways to make the usage of skincare and beauty products more sustainable.
Understanding the Recycling Challenge with Cosmetic Tubes
Here are the main reasons why only 9% of the disposed plastic is recycled as stated by the British Beauty Council.
1. Construction Complexity
Cosmetic tubes are single, double, or multiple layers. Most of the time, double or multiple-layered cosmetic tubes are used as they are non-porous and offer better product protection. However, their complex structure is difficult to recycle. This is because,
- Multi-layer plastic tubes are made of different materials like aluminum and plastic or different types of plastic. All these materials are recycled differently.
- The adhesives used to stick the multiple layers of plastic tubes are difficult to remove. This makes the sorting of different layers complicated.
This complex process makes plastic tubes expensive and labor-intensive to be recycled. Thus, not all recycling facilities take multi-layer plastic tubes and it adds to the recycling challenges.
2. The Size Dilemma
For plastic tubes to be recycled efficiently, it is important that the tubes are medium to large sized as these sizes are easily picked up by the waste sorting and recycling machines. In comparison, small cosmetic tubes are missed and they pass through the machines without recycling.
Therefore, even if small plastic tubes are made of a single layer of recyclable plastic, the chances of their recycling are low.
3.The Residue Issue
It is essential that the product container is fully clean and free of any product residues to recycle it adequately. As it is nearly impossible to squeeze the whole product or clean the tube completely from its narrow mouth, the product residues stay in the tubes.
These product residues contaminate the streams of recycling units. Thus, product residues make recycling challenging.
So, What Should a Conscious Consumer Do?
As an eco-conscious cosmetic consumer, it is your duty to ensure that your skincare and makeup products do not harm the earth. So, here is what you can do.
1. Seek Out Recyclable Packaging
Instead of using product packaging that is difficult to recycle, opt for recyclable cosmetic jars. Packaging made out of glass, a single type of plastic, and metals like aluminum are recyclable. One of the examples of brands using recyclable plastic tubes is L’Occitane.
2. Participate in Take-Back Programs
Several brands like Lush, Herbivore, L’Occitane, and Clarins have take-back programs to stop consumers from throwing plastic tubes into dust bins and increase plastic waste.
They provide discounts, special offers, returns, and incentives for returning or recycling plastic containers. TerraCycle has programs for hard-to-recycle items. You can directly sign up on their site and send your products to recycle.
3. Opt for Refillable or Zero-Waste Products
As all product packaging cannot be recycled fully, going for cosmetic jars and bottles that can be reused over and over again helps in making your products more sustainable. For example, refillable plastic or glass jars can be used.
It eliminates the need of multiple jars of the same products that end up in the landfills. Furthermore, no-waste product packaging is another step taken towards sustainability by eco-friendly brands.
Consumers can play their role by buying from and encouraging such brands. For example, Ethique and Lush have solid beauty bars that reduce plastic bottle waste.
4. Upcycle Your Empty Tubes
Using 1 bottle for the same purpose multiple times might contaminate the product as the inner layer of plastic might release chemicals or dissolve. Therefore, upcycle your empty plastic tube and bottle.
You can use these bottles and tubes to make DIY art, grow small plants, keep flowers, and store stationery items. Also, small plastic tubes can be used to pack cosmetic products for traveling.
Breaking Down the Types of Plastics Used
Plastics are classified into 3 types when it comes to recycling. These types and the ease of their recycling are given as,
Single-Type Plastics (e.g., PET, HDPE)
Curbside recycling programs allow cosmetic consumers to sort the products and send them for recycling. However, it is important to note that only products made out of a single type of plastic are accepted in this program.
Also, such products have a single layer and it enhances the convenience of recycling.
Multi-layered or Composite Plastics
As discussed earlier, there are challenges to recycling multi-layered or composite plastic tubes because,
- They consist of multiple materials
- They have adhesives
- They might contain contaminants
- Their recycling is costly
Additionally, only a few recycling organizations take multi-layer cosmetic bottles for recycling. Therefore, contact your local facilities and ask whether they accept such bottles before sending them for recycling.
Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics
The third type of eco-friendly plastic tubes is the biodegradable and compostable plastic packaging. Biodegradable plastics are often made of renewable resources which degrade within a year or two.
Similarly, compostable plastic is decomposed. Also, it is important to remember that these plastics are not recyclable but their degradation makes them eco-friendly.
The Role of Manufacturers and Consumers
It takes two to clap. So, manufacturers or consumers alone cannot do much about adopting sustainable practices. Both have to play their part in making cosmetic packaging eco-friendly.
Manufacturer’s Responsibility
Here are the responsibilities of cosmetic tube manufacturers,
Importance of Designing Eco-Friendly Packaging
Manufacturers can take the following measures to design eco-friendly packaging,
- Using recyclable materials like glass or aluminum
- Design reusable and refillable product packaging
- Mention ways to repurpose product packaging on cosmetic containers
- Raise awareness about sustainable packaging
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies
Extended Producer Responsibility policies are a set of policies that are designed to ensure that cosmetic packaging manufacturers take the process from manufacturing to wasting of the product seriously. It focuses on the following aspects of product usage,
- Reusability
- Recyclability
- Reduced use of packaging
- Buyback programs
- Resourcing ethical raw material
Cosmetic manufacturers should follow these policies and help the environment flourish rather than deteriorate.
Consumers’ Influence
Here is what a responsible consumer should do.
Impact of purchasing decisions
When you buy a product, imagine the aspects of the product you consider. One of the main aspects is the product packaging, right? Paying attention to the material and size of the cosmetic packaging and its aesthetics can greatly impact your purchasing decisions for the betterment of your environment.
Encouraging sustainable practices through consumer demand
Cosmetic brands and laws can do nothing if consumers are inclined towards buying non-recyclable product packaging. The more eco-friendly products consumers buy, the more the morale of manufacturers and cosmetic brands is boosted to create sustainable product packaging.
So, it can be considered as a positive feedback cycle in which a higher demand for recyclable packaging stimulates the brands to manufacture eco-friendly products.
Making Your Beauty Routine More Eco-Friendly
Learn the ways to make your beauty and skincare routine sustainable.
1. Educate Yourself
Educating yourself about the impact of your lifestyle on earth is the first step towards adopting an eco-friendly routine. When you know, how plastic cosmetic tubes end up in landfill and stay there for an infinite amount of time.
Additionally, you can research your local facilities, policies, and guidelines about cosmetic tube recycling.
This is how you will learn about what type of products can be recycled, how to sort tubes, and which organizations and brands support recycling of the product packaging.
2. Reduce and Simplify
A 10-step skincare routine sounds luxurious. But, it creates many waste cosmetic tubes and it is not as beneficial as it looks either. So, adopt the concept of skinmalism and start using fewer products that offer the benefits you require.
A 3 to 4-step skincare routine with the use of a few makeup products greatly minimizes cosmetic packaging and product waste. Moreover, you can use multi-purpose products like primer plus moisturizer, a 2-in-1 cleanser, lip plus cheek tint, and more.
3. Support Legislation for Better Recycling
Each state has a set of legislation and facilities for improving recycling. One of the examples of such legislation is EPR as discussed above and one of the facilities is TerraCycle.
Your job, as a conscious consumer, is to follow and support this legislation. You can do so by participating in awareness campaigns about environmental initiatives, raising funds for such initiatives, encouraging your family, friends, and colleagues to recycle plastic containers appropriately, and supporting circular companies.
The Future of Cosmetic Packaging
The future trends of sustainable cosmetic packaging are as follows,
1. Bioplastics and Plant-Based Materials
Bioplastics are packaging materials made from biological and renewable resources like sugarcane, cellulose, and sugarcane. The process of production of cosmetic packaging through Bioplastics and plant-based is Sustainable because of the low emission of greenhouse gasses.
Furthermore, these plastics are biodegradable and degrade within a few years. Thus, they are eco-friendly and do not add to landfills. However, there needs to be an advancement in the manufacturing process of bioplastic cosmetic tubes.
2. Smart Packaging
It is time that we change the designs of cosmetic packaging for the better. The current plastic bottles have adhesives, multiple layers, and even several components of the container. Sorting and dissembling tubes with such designs is challenging.
So, the future of cosmetic packaging holds smart cosmetic tube designs that are made for recycling. For example, eco-friendly tubes are made of a single material like PCR and PP as they are recyclable. Another example is the cap and body of the cosmetic jar having the same material as well.
3. Refill Stations
Many eco-friendly cosmetic brands like Tata Harper and Zero Co. already offer product refills to reduce plastic waste on the planet. These cosmetic refills come in small packets.
To reduce the waste caused by this minimal amount of plastic, cosmetic brands in the future will have refill stations.
Moreover, brands like Kiehl’s, Ilia, MAC Cosmetics, and Lush have pilot programs to support eco-friendly product packaging. So, more beauty brands are going to adopt them in the future.
Conclusion
The trends of cosmetic packaging are changing over time. At first, plastic cosmetic tubes were preferred because of their low cost and sturdy structure. The modern generation wants recyclable cosmetic tubes because of the impact that regular plastic tubes have on the environment.
However, the structural complexities of the plastic cosmetic tubes, contamination by-product remnants, difficulty in recycling small tubes, and lack of adequate facilities to recycle plastic make sustainability a cumbersome concept for eco-friendly cosmetic packaging.
As a sustainable cosmetic brand or an educated cosmetic consumer, you have to make informed and careful choices while buying cosmetic products. We mentioned the things you and we can do to save our planet.
Moreover, we would love your opinions and tips regarding sustainable cosmetic packaging practices. So, let us make a collective effort to build a safe habitat for our coming generations.
