Do you have drawers and drawers filled with makeup and skincare products too?
How many of these are in plastic bottles? How many of these do you recycle?
Every year, the global cosmetic industry produces more than 120 billion packaging. Worse still, most of these are not recyclable.
These cosmetic products have been designed for our ease of use. Over the years, the packaging has improved, adding on various new features allowing the products to be squeezed, twisted and more portable.
However, all these come at a cost. Just because of the added mirror in your compact, the whole case goes into the landfill. Isn’t this a waste that could have been avoided?
Due to the complexity of the packaging, it makes the whole recycling process more difficult. Hence many would rather choose to simply dump it in their bins after use instead of taking the time and effort to find ways to recycle them.
To those who have been actively seeking to reduce waste and protect our community and our environment, thank you. The beauty industry has heard you.
Numerous brands have started to take the initiative to support this cause. Some brands switched to environmentally-friendly packaging, some offer customers the option to refill, some opt for cleaner and greener natural ingredients and some pledge their commitment to fair trade.
Here are some of our favourite sustainable brands!
SKINCARE BRANDS
1. L’Occitane
For more than 10 years, L’Occitane has been committed to the cause of reducing waste and minimising our carbon footprint. Now, L’Occitane produces their eco-refills and bottles with 100% recycled plastic. With the first Recycling Program in Singapore to accept packaging of any brand, you can drop your packaging off at their Ion Orchard, Plaza Singapura or Vivocity outlets to collect stamps for redemption of beauty products. This is in collaboration with iCYCLE where they are able to keep track of the recyclables and remain accountable. L’Occitane encourages intersectional environmentalism through its commitments in multiple sectors such as the protection of our biodiversity, fair trade for their producers, the empowerment of women and the provision of financial aid to various NGOs supporting better eye care.
SHOP NOW: https://sg.loccitane.com/
2. Love, Beauty And Planet
Love, Beauty And Planet loves recyclable packaging. Their bottles are Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) which makes each bottle unique and slightly translucent. They pledge to do #smallactsoflove and has started numerous initiatives - including partnering with recycling innovators TerraCycle, donations to The Surfrider Foundation for our oceans and providing grants to individuals and projects. The products are also PETA-certified cruelty-free and vegan.
SHOP NOW: https://www.lovebeautyandplanet.com.sg/
3. RE:ERTH
RE:ERTH collaborated with Environmental Solutions Asia to recycle used plastic skincare bottles. Unwashed bottles from RE:ERTH or any other beauty brands can be dropped off at their retail outlets to be recycled locally, minimising the carbon footprint produced during transportation. These bottles would be converted into non-fossil derived fuel and you would earn credits from participating in this impactful initiative!
SHOP NOW: https://reerth.com/
4. Tata Harper
At Tata Harper, zero compromises on sourcing is made as its products are made with organic ingredients from all over the world. They use recyclable glass bottles, soy-based ink for printing and, if plastic is necessary, it is produced from renewable sugar cane instead of petroleum. No outsourcing is done and customers could follow their bottles and find out more information about their products, including who made it.
SHOP NOW: https://global.tataharperskincare.com/
5. The Body Shop
Officially the biggest B Corp founded by a woman, The Body Shop is now more determined than ever to continue creating a positive impact for their employees, communities and our environment. With a legal Triple Bottom Line status, The Body Shop started using Community Trade recycled plastic from India, in their efforts to reduce plastic waste and provide ‘waste pickers’ with stable employment and better working conditions. A long term goal is in place to increase the use of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic from the current 10% across all products. Together with the ‘Return. Recycle. Repeat.’ programme, you are given the option to step in and stop plastic pollution, where you can return your clean used bottles and accumulate stamps for a reward.
SHOP NOW: https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-sg/
MAKEUP BRANDS
1. Bud Cosmetics
Bud Cosmetics hand picks some of the purest and safest brands from global organic specialists, where these products undergo a stringent review based on their ingredients, origin, sustainability, effectiveness and craftsmanship, as well as the manufacturer’s commitment to producing high quality and results-driven products. 98% of their products are 100% natural! A full disclosure of the complete ingredients are provided as Bud Cosmetics practices a “Nothing to Hide” policy, allowing us to have access to information easily in order to make informative decisions for ourselves and our environment.
SHOW NOW: https://www.budcosmetics.com/
2. Clarins
Products from Clarins are made from over 250 natural plant extracts which are carefully sourced and delivered, ensuring that our planet’s biodiversity is protected. In their support and respect for the local communities, they practice fair trade when purchasing raw materials. Since 2011, Clarins has also collaborated with FEED to fight hunger by providing millions of school meals through the sale of specially designed limited edition bags under the United Nations World Food Programme.
SHOW NOW: https://www.clarins.com.sg/
3. The Naturally Better Company
The Naturally Better Company collaborates with companies with the same goal of creating ethical, sustainable and toxin-free products for our community. Besides supporting and promoting responsible and ethical manufacturing practices globally, The Naturally Better Company also supports various environmental, health and social issues with organisations such as World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), United Nations Women and Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES). They offer an extensive range of brands with a focus on safer ingredients, sustainable practices and outstanding product performance. They also offer exclusive certified organic facial treatments to nourish your skin naturally. What are you waiting for? Check them out now!
SHOP NOW: https://www.naturallybetterco.com.sg/
4. Vapour
Vapour pushes the boundaries of Clean Beauty with commitments to inclusivity, health and respecting natural resources. Their products are natural, organic, cruelty-free, packaged in recycled materials and are multi-purpose to cut down on the consumption of beauty products. They also started an initiative to collect not one, not two, but four or more empties at once, with the objective of reducing the volume of carbon footprint produced when shipping.
SHOP NOW: https://vapourbeauty.com/
5. 100% PURE
100% PURE cosmetics are cruelty-free and their products are naturally coloured from vibrant fruits, vegetables and pigments which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Their all natural, anti-oxidising products are designed to improve clogged pores, skin irritation and premature ageing. A stringent process is developed to ensure that each ingredient is never animal sourced and their certified cruelty-free products are never tested on animals.
SHOP NOW: https://www.100percentpure.com/
With all these said, more can still be done. This is just the start of an endless battle against capitalism. We need your support in this! Start small, start now.