Where to Get Eco-Friendly Cosmetics Packaging

Now more than ever, consumers place a larger importance on the ethical values of businesses when it comes to sustainability and the environment. Gen-Z in particular, is willing to pay higher prices if it means they are shopping from an ethical brand and company.

This is especially important in the cosmetics industry with the rise of natural products. Consumers want products made from renewable resources from the product itself down to the packaging it comes in.

Defining Sustainable Packaging

What is sustainable packaging? The answer kind of depends on who you ask. Typically, any packaging that reduces the environmental impact of traditional methods can pass as sustainable to many brands and consumers.

However, organizations such as SustainablePackaging.org have definitions that carry more weight and overall, have a more effective message. A few of their sustainable guidelines include: being “beneficial, safe, and healthy for individuals and communities throughout its life cycle” and “Is sourced, manufactured, transported, and recycled using renewable energy” amongst several other guidelines and principles.

This is important in cosmetics due to the nature of the product lifecycle of many consumer goods. Once products reach the end of their lifecycle, what is happening to the packaging they come in?

In the world of cosmetics, this means cutting down on disposable packaging prevalent in the industry. Reusable, recyclable, or refillable materials are preferred.

Besides the environmental aspects of packaging, economic and social factors also come into play. For example, the use of plants to create eco-friendly cosmetic packaging should not put the rainforest at risk or disrupt the ecosystem.

Finally, the end shouldn’t justify the means. Paper is a great sustainable packaging material, but more often than not, paper production tends to be resource-intensive, involving a great deal of water, fossil fuels, and chemicals.

It’s only sustainable when manufacturers adopt environmentally friendly paper-making methods or replenish the resources they consume.

Understanding sustainable and zero-waste packaging

Zero-waste packaging supports sustainability, but it goes a step further. Compared to sustainable packaging, zero-waste packaging achieves a much higher standard: leaving no trace of its existence.

Packaging should follow a circular life cycle, whereby they don’t end up in landfills. It can be recyclable, refillable, or completely usable.

One great example is SOAPBOTTLE. The company designs packaging materials made of soap for products used for personal care and hygiene. A customer can use the container as hand soap after using up its contents.