Recycled Beauty: How to Responsibly Dump Your Used Makeup
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by Victoria Stanell
Published Apr 22, 2012
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184
Finished a beauty product? We know—it’s a rarity in our world. We’ve only reached the elusive empty pan so many times in our lives, so it’s difficult to imagine the life cycle of a product after you’ve actually used it up! But an empty bottle isn’t an excuse to toss the remains in the trash, and a product junkie doesn’t have to forsake eco-responsibility in the name of beauty. In honor of Earth Day, let’s rethink the afterlife of used makeup merchandise.
PLANT IT
Garden-grown beauty? That's a concept we love to see bloom! Brands like Pangea Organics and Cargo's Plant Love line wrap their products in compost-able, seed-embedded packaging that you can actually plant in your backyard. Simply place the paper in soil as you would a packet of seeds, water over time, and let the flora blossom! Be sure to look out for beauty products that naturally decompose over time as well. We’ve been brushing our chompers with VITACARE’s 100% biodegradable, nylon-bristled toothbrush!
RETURN IT
If you've got the urge to purge, some beauty brands will do the heavy lifting for you. MAC's famous Back 2 MAC program encourages recycling at the source. If you bring back six empty plastic containers to your local counter, they'll take the goods and gift you a lipstick of your choice! How's that for eco-incentive? For any other products, Garnier has teamed up with TerraCycle to responsibly dispose of makeup, skin care, and hair care bottles you don’t know what to do with. They send you a prepaid mailer, and you send them your stash!
RECYCLE IT
You'll be happy to know most beauty products and packaging are recyclable—just look for the arrow sign on the box. Try to choose glass- or paper-based products, which are easier to reuse and recycle. Wash the the bottles thoroughly and toss in the bin.
UPCYCLE IT
Sometimes product packaging is just too pretty to trash. Give your empty containers a second life with reuse. A beautiful, unoccupied powder compact can become your next credit card or change holder, and foundation jars make for beautiful single-stem vases atop your workspace.
What other steps do you take to keep your beauty routine as earth-friendly as possible?
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Jun 02, 2012
Siri S.
I need to go to MAC!
Apr 25, 2012
Janel B.
My only issue is, what to do with the products that aren't used up but rather aren't used at all. Every so often I purge my makeup that haven't been used but I feel to guilty to dispose of them.
Apr 23, 2012
Allison R.
Does MAC accept back only MAC products?
Apr 23, 2012
Victoria S.
Apr 23, 2012
Soma S.
IDK about sending back products through pre-paid mailer packages - that does recycle the product, but it definitely does NOT minimize your carbon footprint with the effort required to ship something to its destination w/ fuel and space taken up. I'd rather upcycle or B2M if it's local. Too bad our govt. hasn't figured out a better way to do this... =/
Apr 23, 2012
Victoria S.
Apr 24, 2012
Soma S.
Apr 23, 2012
Jasmine P.
I love upcycling when I can because I'm a junky for buying pretty things!
Apr 23, 2012
Sherry W.
Sometimes I use nail polish to paint things or add polka dots/designs to cards I make, or things I just wanna make look pretty. But I want to start keeping the bottles because some of them are really cute. I think I could fill them with small things...or something.
This is such an awesome article! Yay recycling!
Apr 23, 2012
Tyni R.
I wish other brands would join in on such campaigns! :) Recycling + Freebies for the effort = GREAT!
Apr 23, 2012
Antonio Z.
Garnier has teamed up with TerraCycle thanx for that info it'll make a difference from now on :D
Apr 23, 2012
Rachel W.
I had no idea about the MAC program! Thanks!
Apr 22, 2012
Bella P.
I loved this article! As a conservation biologist who loves make up I thank you for these ideas.
But also remember to reduce. Often times Beauties just hoard and hoard beauty products and make up they don't need. So it's not just about recycling, it's about reducing and reusing.