Over 120 billion units of single-use packaging is produced by the beauty industry each year.
Due to the short life-span of products and a lack of recyclable packaging, only 9% of all plastic waste has been recycled and the rest either incinerated (12%) or dumped into the environment as landfill (79%) [Prabhakar, 2020].
Plastic
pollution has a direct and deadly threat to life on land and under water.
During the 400 years plastic takes to decompose, poisonous greenhouse gases
(predominantly carbon and methane) are released into the atmosphere which
accelerate global warming. When lying obsolete on land or floating in water,
wildlife may ingest, become entangled and harmed by the plastics used once and
disposed of by mankind.
There are
several ways to combat the plastic pollution crisis, one being the use of
refillable product packaging. Product refills can be purchased from a retailer
online or in-store and the poured and inserted into an empty product already
owned. A product refill generates 70% less CO2, 65% less energy and 45% less
water than an entirely new product [Niven-Phillips, 2020].
The
benefits of refillable packaging, however, extend beyond clearing the
environment to include:
1. Save money- Product refills are
significantly cheaper than purchasing the whole new product. Although select
products may be initially more expensive, money will be saved overtime with
every refill purchased.
2. Brand loyalty reward schemes- Purchasing
product refills may be a sign of brand loyalty, as you continue to buy and show
love for a specific item overtime. As a way of thanking you for purchasing a
product (refill) on repeat, select brands (including LUSH Cosmetics) offer
points, discounts and/or the opportunity to enter prize draws.
3. Safer materials – Plastic packaging
contains BPA and other harmful substances which may transfer into products
which are then applied onto the skin. Glass and other non-plastic materials are
commonly used to package refillable products which do not pose this same
threat.
4. Customisation- Due to the complexity of
the human skin and cosmetic ingredients, it is important to find the products
which best suit your skin type. Applying a variety of products onto the skin
may cause irritations and blemishes which can be avoided by using few but
effective products on a regular basis. A solid beauty/skin care routine
(achieved with the use of refillable products) will optimise your skins health,
look and feel.
5. Decrease your carbon footprint- The carbon, energy and
plastic waste avoided with the use of refillable (instead of single-use)
products will help to reduce your personal carbon footprint and therefore
support your zero-waste lifestyle.
Shop our
curated range of refillable beauty products at Madia & Matilda here: https://www.madiamatilda.co.uk/allclothing-madiamatilda/BEAUTY-c21482242%3Fsort%3DnameAsc
References:
Prabhakar, M. (2020). PLASTIC-FREE
BEAUTY: THE NEW NORMAL!, June 17, Beat the Micro Bead. Available at: https://www.beatthemicrobead.org/plastic-free-beauty-the-new-normal/
Niven-Phillips, L. (2020). Can refillable packaging *really*
solve the beauty industry's plastic problem?, November 10, GLAMOUR. Available
at: https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/gallery/refillable-beauty-products
