Sustainable cosmetics: Pursuing a greener and environmentally friendly beauty sector
In a bid to reduce waste and promote sustainability, cosmetics companies are increasingly focusing on achieving a recycling cycle. This includes the adoption of refill solutions for packaging and the development of multifunctional products that minimize routines.
One brand leading the charge is Provital, which has developed Hydrafence™, an active ingredient made from rice cultivation by-products. By using these by-products, Provital recycles ingredients without compromising rice's vital role as a food source and mitigates environmental damage through the zero-waste principle.
The development of Hydrafence™ is inspired by the concept of a circular economy and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Hydrafence™ is a dual-action ingredient that offers immediate hydrating action and 120 hours of prolonged hydration.
The cosmetic industry is striving for a waste-free value chain, where nothing is discarded during development or manufacturing, and no part of the product ends up in a landfill. This comprehensive approach to zero-waste cosmetics involves strategies such as refill and reuse systems, water-efficient and concentrated formulations, sustainable sourcing, recycling and recovery technologies, resource optimization, plastic-free packaging, extended producer responsibility, consumer engagement, employee training, and recycling processes that convert by-products or production waste into new materials or products.
For instance, refillable packaging and reuse systems for products such as skincare and shampoos significantly reduce single-use waste. Using bar, balm, powder, or concentrated formulations also reduces the need for water and lowers environmental impact. Sustainable sourcing, on the other hand, reduces reliance on virgin materials and minimizes waste streams.
Recycling initiatives that allow consumers to return empty packaging for recycling, often coupled with rewards or incentives, help close the loop on plastic and packaging waste. Companies are also integrating circularity principles early in product design and collaborating across sectors to share refill infrastructure and material ecosystems, supporting scalability and accountability in waste reduction.
Annually, packaging waste in Europe reaches an average of one ton per capita. Euromonitor estimates that the cosmetic industry produced 76.8 billion plastic packages alone in 2017. The circular economy model aims for a closed cycle where all materials and products are recycled or reused.
Currently, 44% of American consumers would buy beauty and personal care products made from organic waste from other sectors. Creating solutions with recyclable packaging is another way for ethical beauty brands to reduce waste. Substituting plastics with glass, aluminum, bamboo, paper, or biodegradable biopolymers such as PLA or mushroom-based materials greatly reduces plastic pollution and enhances recyclability or compostability.
By adopting these strategies, companies not only reduce packaging waste but also use valuable resources consciously. The combination of material innovation, process improvements, supply chain transparency, and consumer involvement forms the core of achieving zero-waste cosmetics. This not only positions circularity as environmental stewardship but also as a driver of innovation and value in the cosmetics industry.
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