Beauty companies are embarking on greener paths through ecological packaging and refillable products.

The list of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/15-beauty-brands-from-around-the-world-skincare-makeup" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beauty</a> and cosmetic products with <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/what-does-clean-beauty-actually-mean-natural-makeup-skincare" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sustainable</a> and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/politics-culture/fashion-pact-climate-change-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate-neutral</a> formulations and packaging is growing. Companies are paying more attention to their ecological footprint and are committed to climate protection. As a result, drugstores, supermarkets, and perfumeries are filling up with <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/shop-15-clean-beauty-brands-makeup-skincare" target="_blank" rel="noopener">products</a> that consist of recyclable materials and ecological ingredients or get by with little packaging.

Plastic Packaging and Microplastics in Beauty Products

Cosmetics companies are responding to the request of their customers for more transparency with regard to formulations and types of packaging, and are researching ways to reduce plastic waste. How problematic this is has been disclosed several times in the past. Studies such as that from the environmental organization NABU have substantiated <a href="https://www.nabu.de/news/2018/10/25218.html">the urgency of a microplastic</a> ban. The Environmental Protection Agency showed <a href="https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/containers-and-packaging-product-specific-data">in a study</a>&nbsp;the low recyclability of plastic packaging.
In the beauty and cosmetics sector, in particular, plastic containers and lids also hide tiny particles in the formulation, such as peeling granules or film formers made from microplastics or dissolved polymers that are washed into the oceans via the runoff.

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Sustainable Packaging Models for Cosmetics

Many cosmetic companies are addressing the problem and are researching ways of replacing ingredients with climate-neutral options and producing alternative packaging.
In order to simplify the integration, switch to <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/wellness/millennials-more-likely-to-shop-eco-friendly-new-study-finds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ecological packaging</a>, and create more transparency for consumers, <a href="https://open-spice.com/tool/">the pre-competitive initiative SPICE</a> (Sustainable Packaging Initiative For Cosmetics) launched by L'Oreal and Quantis&mdash;a consulting group that advises companies on sustainability&mdash;created&nbsp;an ecodesign tool with which cosmetic companies can calculate the ecological impact of their packaging materials on the climate from its creation&nbsp;to final recycling. The tool simulates several scenarios of how different packaging designs contribute to reducing the ecological footprint.
This could be, for example, glass jars instead of plastic tubes, recycled materials, or packaging that is biodegradable.

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Return Programs, Refill Options, and Sustainable Packaging Designs

In addition to reducing plastic packaging, return models for used products are another way to avoid waste. If a certain number of empty packaging is returned, you can choose a new beauty product free of charge.
A well-known example here is the cosmetic brand MAC, which offers such a model with its Back to Mac&nbsp;program. If you hand in six of any empty original packaging, you can get a free eye shadow.
Other big brands like <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/travel-living/dior-sustainable-glass-straws-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dior</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/meet-mugler-s-new-creative-director" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mugler</a>, and&nbsp;Hourglass are increasingly relying on products that can be refilled. Mugler offers a refill option for its perfumes. Likewise, Dior offers not only refills for perfumes but also foundations and creams. Among other brands, Hourglass has a lipstick that, when used up, can be replaced with a refill pack.

Alternatively, Babor and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/bloomingdales-guerlain-boutique-offers-an-intimate-fragrance-experience" target="_blank">Guerlain</a> rely on recycled and reusable packaging materials. Babor pursues the goal of producing 100 percent&nbsp;recyclable product packaging and reducing the use of plastic. Guerlain uses recycled glass for 95 percent&nbsp;of its perfume bottles, though 100 percent is the goal here too.

A Greener Future for Beauty and Cosmetics

Climate-neutral by 2030, plastic alternatives in packaging, ecological ingredients, and more refill options&mdash;the sense of sustainability in the beauty and cosmetics sector is growing steadily. The great desire of consumers for more transparency and commitment to climate protection and the call to use resource-saving materials will continue to encourage companies to rethink their ecological impact, and thus encourage the creation of innovative, sustainable ideas. The goal is to create cosmetics that not only feel good but also do something positive for the environment.

Sustainable Cosmetics: How Beauty Companies Prepare for a Greener Future

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