The beauty industry and plastic packaging
First established in June 2019, Plastic Free Beauty Day was created by Yolanda Cooper of WE ARE PARADOXX to educate beauty brands, retailers and consumers on the impact plastic pollution is having on the environment.
We’ve all heard the terrifying statistic that should the current rate of waste production continue, our oceans will be filled with more plastic than fish by 2025, with an estimated 8 million tones of plastic ending up in our oceans every year.
So this Plastic Free Beauty Day we’re taking a look at the environmental impact of plastic use by the beauty industry and the positive changes that can be made by brands and consumers when it comes to their purchasing and packaging choices. The Global packaging industry for beauty and personal care, reported to consist of primarily plastic packaging, is worth $25 billion in sales. As we try to make more sustainable choices in what we wear, what we eat and how we travel, what about the beauty products we use? IN the search for cruelty-free, paraben-free and sulphate-free; let’s consider plastic-free.
Environmental beauty industry leaders
Across all industries there are more and more organisations leading the way in their environmental efforts and this is no different within the beauty industry. These beauty industry leaders include:
- founding company of Plastic Free Beauty Day WE ARE PARADOXX offeringhair and body care treatments in recyclable aluminium packaging
- Tabitha Eve’s packaging is completely plastic-freeand ships products in recyclable and compostable packaging
- Kankan London packages natural soap products in cans and plants a tree for every can sold
- Beauty Kitchen uses sustainable packaging whilst encouraging customers to refill and reuse its products.
Many more organizations use materials such as glass, eco glitter, bamboo and recyclable packaging in their beauty products and packaging instead of plastic.
And today, Plastic Free Beauty Day is shining the spotlight on all those brands who are joining in the war against plastic pollution and encouraging everyone to follow in any way we can.
What can we do as consumers?
It goes without saying that we need to take more responsibility for this fragile earth that we live on, and be more aware of the health of our planet when making our purchasing decisions.
Limiting single-use plastics and choosing reusable alternatives is a simple yet effective choice we can make. For example, switching to a reusable face cloth as opposed to single-use face wipes in our beauty routine. According to Mintel, 47% of us regularly use face wipes and wet wipes, many of which are virtually indestructible and it has been reported that 93% of blocked UK sewage pipes are caused by wipes. The term ‘single-use’ was chosen by Colins Dictionary word of the year in 2018, partially owed to the increased public awareness of the problems that single-use products bring. With Covid-19 creating a need for necessary single-use plastic such as the PPE required for the safety of our front line staff, looking for ways we can limit the use of non-necessary single-use plastics is more important than ever as we all work together.
For example, did you know that only 52% of people recycle in the bathroom? That’s almost half of all consumers throwing their beauty and personal care products away with no recycling in sight. And you may be thinking what is there to recycle in the bathroom? But this Plastic Free Beauty Day we’re being reminded that we could be recycling; plastic shampoo, conditioner and shower gel bottles, plastic moisturizer bottles, glass face cream pots, perfume bottles, toothpaste boxes and toilet roll tubes and aerosols for deodorant. So by making a small change and adding a recycling bin in your bathroom this could make a real positive difference to your household recycling.
What can we do as brands?
In a recent interview with Glamour Magazine when discussing the importance of seeking better plastic-free packaging alternatives, founder of Plastic Free Beauty Day Yolanda Cooper said: “this will come at a cost for brands, as plastic is often the cheapest option; but it is critical to protect our environment. “What alternatives can brands look for in their packaging choices?
Plastic Free Beauty Day recommend actions such as ; making the choice to use plastic-free materials for your packaging such as aluminium, choosing environmentally friendly packaging filler by switching packing peanuts for eco-friendly alternatives as well as making a change to recycled packaging boxes as opposed to bubble wrap postage envelopes.
At PG Paper we are environmentally focused and driven by sustainability. It is widely known that paper products have a lesser detrimental effect on our environment as opposed to plastic – and that switching packaging choices from plastics to paper, can help protect our endangered environment. That’s why we work with mill partners and customers across the globe to ensure we can offer our customers sustainable, eco-friendly, innovative packaging solutions.
These include Solid Bleached Sulphate (SBS) which is commonly used across the cosmetic industry which we can offer in uncoated SBS meaning it is biodegradable and can be broken down quickly and safely without leaving a pernicious impact on our planet.
We can also offer a range of recycled packaging grades such as Folding Box Board (FBB), Test liner and Fluting corrugated grades as well as recycled Newsprint for packaging filler and wrapping. The PG Paper team would be more than happy to discuss the eco-friendly packaging alternatives we could offer you and your business. You can get in touch my emailing info@pgpaper.com