The demand for sustainable, eco-friendly packaging in cosmetics is at an all-time high. As consumers become increasingly aware of environmental issues, more and more beauty brands are choosing environmentally friendly packaging options.
Unfortunately, according to the International Fragrance Association, nearly 50% of all cosmetics sold worldwide contain single-use plastic containers as packaging for beauty products.
While plastic bottles do provide an attractive alternative to glass or paper packaging, they also contribute to serious problems that threaten the world around us.
To make the swap and fully embrace sustainability, beauty supply wholesalers like BeautySourcing will have to undergo a paradigm shift in the way they think about the packaging of beauty products.
But not all hope is lost.
In this article, we discuss some of the ways beauty brands can be more sustainable in choosing the packaging material for their beauty products.
Top Ways Beauty Businesses Can Embrace Sustainable Cosmetics Packaging:
1. Move away from single-use plastics
Plastic Pollutes Our Oceans. It’s been documented that sea turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, and marine mammals like whales and dolphins consume large amounts of discarded debris.
And according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the majority of ocean waste comes from land-based sources. Plastic particles end up in the water when rainwater washes them away from beaches and waterways; when the wind picks up the pollutants, they disperse into the air and eventually fall back to Earth.
Furthermore, plastics do not degrade. Even though they may seem fragile, most plastics actually survive indefinitely in landfill sites. They can last thousands of years before breaking down into smaller pieces and becoming toxic to both humans and animals.
By moving away from single-use plastics and keeping the packaging intact for reuse rather than disposal, beauty brands can make a difference.
2. Use Recycled Materials
Rather than relying on conventional plastics, consider using renewable resources such as corn starch, wheat starch, potato starch, or rice protein instead.
These ingredients may be mixed with natural additives such as plant extracts, essential oils, and vitamins so you can keep your product fresh while minimizing its carbon footprint.
3. Keep Packaging Intact
A good rule of thumb is to avoid placing items inside other items because it makes recycling more difficult.
But if you must use another container for shipping purposes, take precautions to ensure that this material won’t be thrown away along with your cosmetics.
This includes using secure packing tape on the outside of the package, avoiding sharp corners, and ensuring that there are no tears or rips.
4. Consider Reusable Containers
The easiest way to reduce your impact on the environment is to buy less packaging for beauty products and use sustainable cosmetics packaging instead. For example, stainless steel jars are sturdy, durable, and reusable.
You could even encourage your consumers to reuse empty containers and packaging for other purposes. For example, an empty tube can be filled with water and used to water your plants. A former moisturizer container can be reused as a box for storing small items like hair pins.
5. Consider Material Efficiency
Another option is to opt for a material that minimizes waste during production. If you have the resources, you can invest in a machine that automatically sorts materials based on composition. This allows you to recycle only those parts with higher value, reducing overall consumption.
In addition, you can use innovative technologies to reduce energy and raw material requirements. Some manufacturers now print on demand — meaning they only produce the amount needed for an order. Others use inkjet printing on thermoformed films, which uses significantly less energy than traditional printing methods.
Sustainable Cosmetics Packaging Is The First Step To A Greener Future!
And there you have it!
Here are the top 5 ways brands can embrace sustainable beauty & cosmetics packaging. But this is only a means to an end. Only the first step in a thousand miles. It will take a lot of time, but with lots of effort, we’re confident we can build a greener future.
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