The topic of climate protection and sustainability has long since reached beauty and cosmetics companies. Companies in the FMCG segment are embarking on greener paths through ecological packaging or products with refill options.

The list of beauty and cosmetic products with sustainable and climate-neutral formulations and packaging is growing. Companies are paying more attention to their ecological footprint and are committed to climate protection. So it happens that the drugstores, supermarkets and perfumeries fill up with products that consist of recyclable materials and ecological ingredients or that get by with little packaging.

Plastic packaging and microplastics in formulations of 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 of 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 from the USA</a> the low recyclability of plastic packaging.

In the beauty and cosmetics sector, in addition to containers and lids made of plastic, there are also tiny particles in the formulation, such as peeling granules or film formers made of microplastics or dissolved polymers that are washed into the oceans via the runoff.

Small plastic particles, big problem: microplastics in cosmetic products. Image: Shutterstock

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 and switch to ecological packaging and to create more transparency for consumers <a href="https://open-spice.com/tool/">, the pre-competitive initiative SPICE</a> (Sustainable Packaging Initiative For Cosmetics) <a href="https://open-spice.com/tool/">launched</a> by L&#39;Oreal and Quantis - a consulting group that advises companies on sustainability issues an ecodesign tool with which cosmetic companies can calculate the ecological impact of their packaging materials on the climate - from the creation of the packaging to its final recycling. The tool simulates several scenarios of how different packaging designs can help reduce the ecological footprint.

This could be, for example, glass jars instead of plastic tubes, recycled materials or packaging that is biodegradable.

Paper, glass and other recyclable materials instead of plastic packaging.  Image: Shutterstock

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 program. For example, if you hand in six of any empty original packaging you can get a free eyeshadow.

Other big brands like Dior, Mugler or Hourglass are increasingly relying on products that can be refilled. Mugler offers this refill option for its perfumes. Likewise Dior, which offers not only perfumes but also refills for foundations and creams. Among other things, Hourglass has a lipstick that, when used up, can be replaced with a refill pack.

Babor and Guerlain rely on recycled and reusable packaging materials. Babor pursues the goal of producing 100% recyclable product packaging and reducing the use of plastic. Guerlain uses recycled glass for 95% of its perfume bottles - 100% 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 - 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 and thus encourage the creation of innovative, ecological ideas. So that cosmetics not only feel good, but also do something good for the environment.

Sustainable Cosmetics: How Beauty Companies Prepare for a Greener Future

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