Zero waste beauty is one of the many ways you can enjoy skincare and makeup without harming the planet. The zero waste movement aims to prevent waste from entering landfills.
What is Zero Waste Beauty?
With traditional beauty products, you throw your empty packaging in the trash, and it gets taken to a landfill. Zero waste beauty products are designed so that empty packaging gets a new life. The empty packaging can be recycled, composted, or refilled.
Why Zero Waste Beauty is Important
In 2017, Roland Geyer, Jenna R. Jambeck, and Kara Lavender Law published the preeminent article on plastic waste, “Production, Use, and Fate of All Plastics Ever Made.” They estimated 8,300 million metric tons had been produced, yet only 9% had ever been recycled. The remaining 91% is burned or sent to landfills.
Zero Waste Beauty Brands
Athr Beauty
If you have been following me for a while, you know that I love ATHR Beauty eyeshadows. I also love the Radiant Ruby Lip Crèmes (I may or may not have more than one shade). The eyeshadow palettes are fully recyclable. Their Big Bang Volumizing Mascara comes in 100% recycled ocean plastic and has a biodegradable wand. The Lip Crèmes come in 100% recycled PET plastic. You can shop ATHR Beauty at Sephora, Credo Beauty, Beauty Heroes, The Detox Market, and the ATHR Beauty website.
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AXIOLOGY
When it comes to zero waste beauty, Axiology doesn’t just talk the talk. Axiology uses a women’s cooperative in Bali to collect paper waste and handmake packaging. Each Lip-to-Lid Balmie is handmade in Oregon and wrapped in recycled paper. After using your balmie, recycle the packaging or toss it in your compost. Nothing goes to a landfill. As of this writing, Axiology is also redesigning its lipstick packaging to be plastic-free. Shop Axiology at Ulta, The Detox Market, Credo, Beauty Heroes, and the Axiology website.
Booni Doon
Everything Booni Doon makes comes in recyclable or compostable packaging. Their innovative CALM Cleansing Capsules come in a glass jar with a compostable bamboo lid. After you’ve emptied your jar, purchase a refill pouch. Just like the cleansing capsules, the pouch dissolves in water. booni doon recently added 2 additional products for a complete cleansing experience: CLARITY Cleansing Gel and PLUSH Reusable Facial Rounds. The cleansing gel is packaged in 100% aluminum. The double-sided facial rounds are made from organic cotton and bamboo and are compostable.
Common Heir
As of this writing, Common Heir offers 2 products: Vitamin C Serum and Retinol Serum. Like booni doon’s cleansing capsules, both serums come in biodegradable capsules. In addition, individual capsules keep the serums fresh and prevent oxidation. Recycle the outer cardboard packaging.
Ethique
Beauty and the Planet’s first review was Ethique deodorant. Ethique makes zero waste bars for hair, body, skin, and pets. Not ready to make the switch to shampoo bars? Their concentrates dissolve in water and can be kept in any bottle you already have. Every bar comes in a cardboard box that can be recycled or composted.
Everist
Everist takes a different approach to zero waste hair and body care. Their waterless concentrated formulas come in aluminum tubes. Unlike plastic, aluminum can be recycled infinitely. Everist also send a cotton bag for cap collection. As soon as you have accumulated 10 caps, request a shipping label and send the caps back for upcycling. Shop Everist at Credo, Detox Market, and the Everist website.
Kjaer Weis
Kjaer Weis uses recyclable, compostable, or refillable packaging for all products. If you aren’t sure where to start with Kjaer Weis, I recommend the cream blush. It is my holy grail blush. I just love how it melts into the skin. To save a few dollars, I recommend the Red Edition (cardboard compact) over the Iconic Edition (metal compact).
MOB Beauty
Launched by a group of industry insiders, MOB Beauty calls itself “makeup for a better world.” MOB Beauty allows you to select from a variety of eye and cheek products to build your own refillable beauty palette. They also sell refillable mascara and lipstick. They currently make their refillables of a minimum 50% post-consumer recycled plastic, but they will launch a fully compostable system in 2024.
Plaine Product
Plaine Products takes zero waste beauty to the next level with their hair and body products. When your Plaine bottle is getting low, order a refill. As soon as you empty your bottle, move the pump to your refill and return the empty bottle. Plaine Products will sanitize, refill, and send it to the next customer.
Shop Zero Waste Beauty in This Post
Tips for Switching to Zero Waste Beauty
Don’t try to switch to zero waste beauty all at once. As I discuss in A Sustainable Beauty Routine in 5 Steps, it is best to use up what you already have. I also suggest you explore different zero waste systems. It doesn’t do anybody any good to fully commit to a single system before you know if the system works for you or not.
