These beauty brands have circularity and sustainability in mind
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Recycling beauty products can be tricky, especially when most of the packaging are in plastic – notice jars, tubes, pumps and compacts? Most of all, when these products are tossed into recycling bins, not everything makes it to recycling programs: even studies have shown that only 9 per cent of plastics produced around the world are recycled.
Major beauty brands are sitting up and taking notice of the impact they're leaving behind. While some are making changes to the production method, ingredient sourcing and clean energy, others are improving unethical packaging methods like removing bubble wraps, foams and replacing them with reusable totes and recyclable boxes. Another way of promoting product circular is also by improving packaging.
Beauty brand Aesop is introducing a partnership with Sembcorp to introduce Rinse and Return, a cosmetic packaging recycling initiative, in Singapore. Customers are invited to return cleaned aluminium tubing, and glass or plastic containers from any brand to their signature stores across the city, where it will be transferred for recycling.
Guided by the international recycling system, Aesop accepts plastic packaging with either a PET symbol (resin code 1), HDPE symbol (resin code 2), or a PP symbol (resin code 5). The brand also requested that empty plastic and glass vessels are rinsed by customers prior to return; Aesop consultants will clean returned aluminium tubes.
As part of the brand's journey to minimise its footprint, its approach to design continues to evolve and incorporate more ethical, sustainable and circular principles. Where possible, formulations are housed in highly recyclable packaging materials such as glass and aluminium tubing. For products frequently used for travel or in wet areas, recycled PET plastic offers a lightweight, eminently portable and safe option. Bottles are manufactured using a minimum of 97% recycled material sourced from post-consumer kerbside recycling.
The Rinse and Return programme aims to increase customer awareness and reduce the amount of packaging going to landfills. For each Aesop container collected, a donation of S$1 will be made to support Zero Waste SG—an advocate for the circular economy that shares its commitment to influence positive environmental change. Donations are limited to a maximum of S$10,000.
Shop these products now:
Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Eye Cream
A potent anti-oxidant blend formulated with generous doses of Vitamins C and E to gently nourish and protect the delicate skin surrounding the eyes.
In Two Minds Facial Hydrator
A rapidly absorbed formulation that delivers lightweight hydration with a matte finish, ideal for combination skin.
Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash
An unorthodox aromatic blend with botanical extracts and finely milled Pumice, to gently cleanse, exfoliate, and leave the hands smooth, purified, and refreshed.
The Body Shop’s founder, Anita Roddick was one of the pioneers when it came to refills and recycling in cosmetics too. In 1976, when The Body Shop first started, she offered to refill customers bottles and in 1993, the company introduced a ‘Bring Back Our Bottle’ (BBOB) recycling scheme.
Today, the brand is launching an ambitious rollout of refill stations across 500 stores globally this year, and a further 300 stores in 2022. The Body Shop will also extend its in-store recycling scheme Return, Recycle and Repeat, across 800 stores in 14 markets by the end of 2021. Locally, the brand has launched its first refill station in Singapore at their Ion Orchard store, followed by Plaza Singapura on 4 August, with plans for expansion in the months to come.
In addition, The Body Shop has announced that by the end of 2023, its entire product formulations portfolio will be certified by The Vegan Society and carry its Vegan Trademark. The Body Shop was also the first cosmetics company to campaign against animal testing in cosmetics in 1989, with a fundamental belief that animals should not be harmed in the pursuit of beauty.
On revolutionising its product sourcing and packaging, the brand is playing into a goal of reducing adverse results on our planet Earth. Currently, 60 per cent of The Body Shop products are vegan including ranges such as the Tea Tree skincare range, Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask, Body Yogurts and Body Butters.
Over the course of 2021, The Body Shop will roll out locally new vegan Body Butters with the Vegan Trademark across The Body Shop Singapore stores and via their online official stores on Lazada and Shopee in the third quarter.
Shop these products now:
Drops of Youth Youth Concentrate
This lightweight serum gives you that fresh-faced, healthy-looking glow we’re all looking for.
Moringa Softening Body Butter
Enriched with handpicked moringa seed oil, your skin will feel more soft and supple after every use.
The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream
Perfect for combination and oily skin types, the Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream helps to bring the balance back to your skin, leaving it feeling fresher, hydrated and more mattified.
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