Happy Wednesday to the Beauty Industry: “You Look Mahvelous! Absolutely Mahvelous.” *

In a recent Happy Wednesday post, we discussed how the fashion industry worldwide is getting much more sustainability-focused. For instance, we mentioned how some retailers have stopped using plastic bags and plastic packaging materials.  

Further, many companies in the fashion industry are now getting behind the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This program has identified 17 targets relating to poverty, inequality, climate, responsible consumption and production, the environment, prosperity, peace, and justice, which are to be addressed by the fashion industry by 2030.  

But now, another player in the fashion industry is joining the sustainability chorus: the beauty industry. This is a significant development, because this industry has expanded dramatically in the past couple of years. It is projected to be worth about 500 billion dollars very soon.   

So we are all on the same page, the beauty industry covers a wide variety of personal products such as skincare, color cosmetics, haircare, fragrances, and beauty appliances such as hair dryers, brushes, combs, along with services like salons, and day spas.   

But we need to know that this growing industry also generates about eight billion "rigid" plastic packaging units per year in the U.S. alone. Because these items are rigid and explicitly designed to package a beauty product, the bulk of these plastic bottles, tubes, and containers, are designed to be recycled when the consumer is finished with them.

However, what typically happens is they are tossed in the trash. It is estimated that more than 95 percent of these packaging items end up in the garbage, with their destination being landfills and oceans. 

This recycling problem is being addressed through independent companies that have sprung up around North America and Europe. Some of these companies partner with major retailers such as grocery stores and pharmacies to collect and recycle packaging materials for beauty and related products.  

 For instance, one company, the Loop, asks consumers, "why own the product's packaging when all you really want is the stuff inside?"  

With this company, metal, glass, and plastic materials used by the industry are returned to retailers or mailed directly to the Loop. The consumer gets paid for the packaging materials, which are then professionally cleaned and sterilized, allowing them to be re-used several more times.  

Another recycling company has partnered with beauty shops to collect and repurpose what is now referred to as "beauty waste." Further, one Danish company is now mining oceans looking for beauty waste. As they find it and collect it, it is again professionally cleaned and sterilized to be re-used for packaging materials. 

As for the manufacturers of beauty products, those making facial creams, lipstick, shampoo, eyeshadow, and similar items are experimenting with new ways to deliver these products to retailers. One way is to simply stop using plastic packaging materials. Paper is used instead.

Another easy solution has been to sell beauty products in refillable containers that can be replenished automatically through a subscription service.

A New York make-up company is now even offering refillable lipstick tubes and compacts. Adding icing to the cake, many beauty industry manufacturers are selling these refillable products in larger containers at a cost-saving. This means the consumer gets more product at a lower price.

Some companies are even selling their products with no packaging materials, paper or plastic, at all. For instance, some soaps are now sold this way.

We can expect more innovative strategies to emerge in the coming years. However, the best thing is that just like the fashion industry, the beauty industry now realizes they must do their part in protecting the environment. 

And they may be surprised with their own "icing on the cake." Typically, when they do this, they find cost savings are right around the corner.

* Expression made famous by entertainer Billy Crystal.