5-recyclable-packaging-materials-every-cosmetics-brand-should-consider

5 Recyclable Packaging Materials Every Cosmetics Brand Should Consider

The beauty and cosmetics industry is arguably bigger and more competitive than ever. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, so too does its business practices. At the forefront of these business practices is sustainability.

As consumers worldwide become more eco-friendly, the cosmetics industry is undergoing a green revolution. Not only are beauty and cosmetics brands using eco-friendly materials in their products, they’re also overhauling their packaging and choosing environmentally friendly, sustainable materials instead of plastic, which poses significant risks to the environment.

As more and more brands say goodbye to single use plastics, we’re seeing a sharp increase in the number of innovative, green, and sustainable materials being used in their place. These materials offer a wide range of benefits over conventional plastics, and are much kinder to the environment in the process. For cosmetics brands, that’s literally a win-win.

From glass and aluminum to compostable and biodegradable materials, here’s a look at 5 recyclable packaging materials every cosmetics brand should consider.

Bamboo

Bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials on the planet, and it is also proving to be incredibly versatile.

Not only does bamboo serve as a delicious and nourishing meal for pandas, but it can also be used for things such as furniture, clothing, and in this instance, packaging.

Bamboo is not only green, sustainable, and recyclable, it’s also biodegradable and actually promotes carbon offsetting as it grows. Bamboo is quickly becoming one of the most desirable packaging materials for makeup and beauty products. It is especially popular with lip balm and lipstick tubes, and is often combined with glass for a sleek and aesthetic finish.

Recycled Paper/Cardboard

Paper is another sustainable material that can be used for makeup and beauty product packaging.

Despite paper perhaps not being as sustainable as some other materials out there, it is still far superior to plastic and offers a number of environmental benefits in the process.

Despite cosmetics brands distancing themselves from plastic, some brands do still use it in smaller amounts. Some packaging for example, will feature a plastic lining for added protection and stability. This is of course far from ideal, especially for companies trying to be greener. Recycled paper is a great alternative.

Adding a supportive layer of cardboard or paper means that the beauty and cosmetics products housed within are still protected and supported, with the added bonus of the packaging proving to be far greener and much more sustainable.

Compostable and Biodegradable Materials

One of the biggest trends we’ve seen when it comes to sustainable packaging with beauty and cosmetics companies, is the use of biodegradable and/or compostable materials.

As well as materials we’ve already looked at such as bamboo, paper, and cardboard, other examples of compostable, biodegradable materials include packaging made from natural and organic substances.

Materials such as cornstarch and mushroom-based packaging (mycelium) are proving very fashionable amongst greener cosmetics brands as they’re great for the environment as well as being recyclable. Rather than polluting the environment, as is the case with plastic, natural biodegradable and compostable packaging will actually break down naturally and nourish the ground.

Glass

Glass is another very popular packaging material utilized by cosmetics brands, for a wide range of different reasons.

Glass not only looks and feels far more luxurious than plastic, it is also a much greener alternative. Glass is highly recyclable and uses less energy during production and recycling than plastic. It is also far safer should it find its way into the wild.

Cosmetics such as face creams, moisturizers, lipsticks, mascara, and more besides are all commonly stored in glass bottles, jars, or containers. Another benefit of glass packaging is the fact that it is refillable. Some brands offer refillable products such as perfumes and hair and beard oils for example. Here, rather than purchasing a brand-new bottle, consumers can simply bring them back to the refill station. This means less waste and reduces energy consumption at the same time.

Aluminum

Finally, when talking about recyclable packaging materials for cosmetics, you simply cannot overlook aluminum.

Aluminum is one of the most recyclable materials on the planet. In fact, some would argue that it is the most sustainable packaging material in use today as it can be recycled infinitely. As if that wasn’t enough, recycling aluminum uses considerably less energy than producing it from new. 95% less energy, to be precise.

Aluminum packaging is now widely utilized by beauty and cosmetics brands all over the globe, and the benefits are endless. Not only is it sleek, aesthetic, and professional in appearance, it is also cost-effective, lightweight, and highly protective. This makes it perfect for maintaining cosmetic product integrity, and extending its shelf life at the same time.