Embracing Sustainable Plastic Free Make-up
Have you ever looked in your makeup bag and despaired at the sight of all the plastic packaging? Beauty products have always counted for a large percentage of the single-use plastic we throw away on a yearly basis, but slowly the tide is changing. In recent years the industry has seen a significant shift towards sustainability, with an increasing number of consumers and brands in the UK now prioritizing environmentally friendly alternatives.
The move towards plastic-free makeup has been a particularly strong trend, addressing the dual concerns of plastic pollution and the carbon footprint associated with traditional cosmetic packaging.
The Problem with Plastic in Beauty Products
Plastic is ubiquitous in the beauty industry, used in everything from packaging to applicators. However, its environmental impact is huge. Single-use plastics contribute significantly to landfill waste and ocean pollution, with an estimated 120 billion units of packaging produced annually by the global cosmetics industry. These materials take hundreds of years to decompose and in the process also release harmful chemicals and microplastics into the environment.
Innovative Plastic Free Solutions by Beauty Brands
Several UK-based brands are leading the charge in offering sustainable, plastic-free alternatives. Lush has pioneered the concept of "naked" products – solid versions of liquid products like shampoos, conditioners, and body lotions, which require no packaging. Their makeup line follows suit, featuring items like solid foundation bars and refillable lipstick cases.
Similarly, brands like Axiology and UpCircle have embraced zero-waste principles. Axiology – available in the UK at Content Beauty – makes vegan, plastic-free and zero-waste multipurpose crayons, that deliver beautiful colour for your lids, lips, and cheeks and come wrapped in paper and packaged in a recyclable cardboard carrying case. UpCircle, another UK based company and invested in by BBC’s Dragon’s Den, repurposes waste materials from other industries, such as coffee grounds and fruit stones, into high-quality skincare products. These sustainable initiatives not only reduce single-use plastic usage but also promote a circular economy, where waste is minimized, and resources are continuously reused.
Consumer Choices and Impact
The shift towards plastic-free makeup is also driven by consumers. In the UK, we have become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of our purchases and many of us now seek out products that align with our values. According to a survey by Zero Waste Week, 48% of UK consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products, indicating a significant market shift towards eco-friendly beauty solutions.
Retailers have also responded to this growing demand. Major high street chains like Boots and Holland & Barrett in Farnham now stock a variety of sustainable beauty brands, making it easier for us to make environmentally friendly choices.
Future Direction for Beauty Products
So, the future of sustainable, plastic-free makeup looks promising. Innovations in biodegradable materials and refillable packaging solutions are likely to continue, given the pressure from both consumers and regulatory bodies. By supporting plastic-free makeup options, we can play a vital role in driving positive change, contributing to a healthier planet while enjoying high-quality, guilt-free beauty products.
Homemade Makeup
Have you ever considered making your own makeup? It can be a lot more cost effective as well as kinder to your skin and the environment, and there are plenty of recipes on the internet to get you started. Ann, one of our Plastic Free Farnham members recently made black mascara to use on our stand at Farnham’s Sustainability Fayre for demonstration purposes. It looked great and turned out to be popular with our visitors too!
In the recipe below all the ingredients for plastic free black mascara were locally sourced with the total cost being around £20 (excluding the bees wax which Ann already had in the form of a candle). The black mascara can be stored in a washed-out and dried old mascara container with a wand. Ann had enough ingredients left to make quite a few refills too!
Homemade plastic free black mascara Ingredients
· I tsp Vit E oil
· 1/2 tsp beeswax
· 3 tsp of aloe vera gel
· 1 tsp of coconut oil
· 3 capsules charcoal (opened and charcoal poured out)
· Small (re-useable) plastic bag with corner cut off
Using a bowl or container placed over a bowl of hot water, melt and mix the beeswax and aloe vera gel together. Once mixed, add all the other ingredients and then mix again until they’ve come together to make a paste.
Place the mixture in the plastic bag and tie the top. Cut a very small triangle off one of the corners off the bag and squeeze the mixture into the washed-out mascara tube.
Done!
