If you’re anything like us, you’re probably somewhat obsessed with all things skin care and beauty, and may ponder “where do all these bottles go when they’re empty?” Some of the stats around Australia’s yearly waste pileup are staggering…Aussies toss an average of 78 million tonnes of rubbish into landfills each year. So of course, it’s on your mind!
In the not-so-distant past, recycling your beauty empties seemed impossible, but with advances in tech and eco-consciousness…reducing, reusing, and recycling has never been easier. Now is a great time to start thinking about how you can personally reduce your waste footprint, and we at WholeLife are here to help!
Whatever your beauty regime entails, there are some basics when it comes to where to toss those empty bottles! These hot tips can also be applied to your day to day outside of your beauty regimen and shared amongst friends and family.
1. Glass: Any of your glass bottles are totally recyclable AND easily reusable
2. Paper or cardboard: this packaging is recyclable so make sure to use that yellow bin!
3. Plastic: Most plastics can be recycled but just need to be washed so the product inside doesn’t contaminate the recycling batch. Also, be sure to take any caps off and recycle those separately.
4. Aluminium: This metal is easily melted down to be used again.
You can also make a habit of checking the packaging for the little recycle symbol. When in doubt, check your brand’s website to see if they have a recycling program or contact your local recycling plant to see what is accepted and what isn’t.
Another option is to save your glass bottles, jars and compacts to clean out and re-use. Smaller bottles and compacts will make great travel sidekicks. You can use them to fill with small amounts of shampoo and conditioner, lotions, and your skin care. Compacts and lipstick cases can hold scrunchies and bobby pins, cotton tips, jewellery, a small sewing kit, and whatever else you can dream up! Some perfume bottles and skincare packaging make beautiful vases, candle holders, or pen cups.
Many of the beauty brands we stock are eco-conscious. From MooGoo to Eco Minerals, more and more brands are making the switch to eco-friendly materials. If you are struggling to find eco-conscious beauty brands, we’ve compiled a list of brands the environment will thank you for using.
MooGoo has partnered with TerraCycle and all you must do is create a free account and ship your empties for free!
RAWW Cosmetics’ packaging is all made with glass and recyclable plastic.
ACURE has also partnered with TerraCycle to help you recycle for free.
Eco Minerals developed eco-refills with biodegradable packaging to help kerb packaging waste.
Sienna Byron Bay nail polish is plant based and the packaging is recyclable. The timber cap can be composted, and after washing the plastic brush and glass bottle-both can be recycled in the yellow bin!
The Jojoba Company’s packaging is 100% recyclable. They’ve even limited the materials needed in packaging so that you aren’t left with the clean-up.
Weleda is another TerraCycle partner making it easy to feel good about where you put your empties!
Noosa Basics is doing their best to offer plastic free packaging and they are certified vegan, cruelty free, and palm oil free.
We’d love to hear how you reduce, reuse, and recycle your beauty empties so share some of your advice and reusing hacks over on Instagram by tagging us in your posts or stories (@wholelifepharmacyandhealthfood) so we can all work towards a more sustainable future together!
