Ren have pledged to be zero waste by 2021 and have also announced their collaboration with the Surfrider Foundation, which protects, cleans and clears plastic from beaches in the UK and US. 14-30., doi:10.3390/environments1010014. But the direct victims of palm oil's widespread rainforest destruction are, of course, primates. One of the most publicized problems with the beauty industry is its use of toxic chemicals. Personal Care and Cosmetic Products as a Potential Source of Environmental Contamination by Microplastics in a Densely Populated Asian City, Plastic Ingestion by Marine Fish is Widespread and Increasing, Threat of Plastic Pollution to Seabirds Is Global, Pervasive, and Increasing, Facts and Statistics About Animal Testing, Final Countdown: Now or Never to Reform the Palm Oil Industry, Amazonia as a Carbon Source Linked to Deforestation and Climate Change, Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), List of Exporters for the Selected Product in 2020, List of Importers for the Selected Product in 2020, Environmental Sustainability: The European Cosmetics Industry's Contribution 2017-2018, Volatile Chemical Products Emerging as Largest Petrochemical Source of Urban Organic Emissions, Common Air Pollutants: Volatile Organic Compounds, The Zero Waste Home: A Guide to Minimizing Your Waste Generation. 595, 2021, pp. With the average Brit using 142 litres of water per day which simply goes down the plughole, Aveda worked out that we could save around six gallons of water by cutting three minutes from our shower time. 38, 2015, pp. And Chantecaille's philanthropy platform shines a spotlight on global environmental issues and supports conservation efforts around the globe, with sales from seasonal collections. Kiehls has a Recycle & Be Rewarded scheme, whereby you get a stamp for every bottle returned, and ten stamps grants you one travel-sized product. This content is imported from Instagram. Mining, harvesting, and manufacturing methods are extremely labor-intensive and often carried out in unsafe, unhealthy conditions. What Is Petrolatum? "List of Importers for the Selected Product in 2020." Take advantage of companies offering refill schemes or recycling initiates. At Lush, we are very proud to offer a recycle service for our black pots which are made from a mix of purchased recycled plastic and recycled black pot material, Bird says who explains they send these back to their in-house recycling centre. Caudalie is been a member of the 1% for the Planet organisation which means they donate 1% of their global sales to NPOs that work to protect the environment. When recycling any product, the container needs to be clean either washed in warm soapy water or put through the dishwasher. As the industrys most used ingredient, there are concerns that demand for water could outstrip supply. Some of our favourite brands go even further. What Are Parabens, and Why Dont They Belong in Cosmetics? "Cosmetics Market by Category (Skin and Sun Care Products, Hair Care Products, Deodorants & Fragrances, and Makeup & Color Cosmetics), Gender (Men, Women, and Unisex), and Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets/Supermarkets, Specialty Stores, Pharmacies, Online Sales Channels, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212027." Research animal facilities use10 times more energythan a standard office because they require so much space, ventilation, temperature stabilization, and constant lighting. You simply print a free shopping label and take your empties to your local drop-off location. Trade maps show that imports into the states travel, on average,4,757 miles(about the distance between New York City and Bulgaria), and exportstravel even farther. Also take advantage of the excellent Return to Origins recycling programme, which welcomes all cosmetic containers (including tubes, lids and caps) regardless of brand. International Trade Centre, 2020. Is Maybelline Cruelty Free and Sustainable? Look for These 3 Certifications. (The latest sparkly trend? The status of the long-tailed macaque, specifically, has jumped two Red List categories, going from a species of least concern to vulnerable to extinction, justsince 2008. Palm oil grows only in tropical environments within 10 degrees of the equator. Olivia Young is a writer and green living expert passionate about tiny living, climate advocacy, and all things nature. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A growing demand for the commodity drove suppliers to clear 500 square miles of rainforest in Southeast Asia alonebetween 2015 and 2018. She holds a degree in Journalism from Ohio University. Other efforts include consolidating distribution networks and growing distribution centers to store products until they're ready to ship,ultimately cutting unnecessary trips. "The Zero Waste Home: A Guide to Minimizing Your Waste Generation." Palm oil for example, which is used in approximately half of all consumer goods, is causing widespread deforestation plus the extinction of many animal species. "What Are Parabens, and Why Dont They Belong in Cosmetics?" 35, no. United States Geological Survey. Polyethylene is used in cosmetics as an abrasive, emulsion stabilizer, binder, bulker, and film former. Harper's BAZAAR participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Can beauty products relieve stress and anxiety? A post shared by TerraCycle US (@terracycle). International Tank Service, Inc. "Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)." Stoiber, Tasha. If these items arent given a second life, they simply go into landfill or potentially litter our environment. plastic was found in a third of UK-caught fish, scientists say easily enter the environment. According to a 2018 Cosmetics Europe report, companies are reducing their carbon footprints by "shifting their transportation from road to rail and from air to sea" or by using hybrid and electric vehicles. See more beauty brands from The Body Shop to Burts Bees making sustainable moves below: As we all clean up our act the future of beauty looks green and if Bird has her way, naked, with Lush leading the way in making solid products. Its shocking to digest than eight million tonnes of plastic (not necessarily from cosmetics, of course) are dumped into our oceans every year, pollution thats devastating for sea life and contaminating our diets. 1, no. Zero Waste Week. Alastair Lewis, professor of atmospheric chemistry at the University of York told The Guardian The UK is already thinking about how to tackle and reduce domestic emissions. So watch this space. World Wildlife Fund Australia, 2021. "How Much Water is There on Earth?" 112, no. The problem is that cosmetic glitters are a microplastic which scientists say easily enter the environment - often without us realising it. "Facts and Statistics About Animal Testing." The$400 billion-and-growingglobal cosmetics and beauty industry's environmental impact stretches from the sourcing of raw materials to production, distribution, and waste generated by end consumers. 3, 2021, pp. Some products' entire footprint (almost) is in post-consumer recycling and disposal. Takepalm oilfor example, a vegetal substance that appears (under 20 different names) in more than 2,000 cosmetics on EWG's database. "Parabens Enhance the Calcium-Dependent Testicular Mitochondrial Permeability Transition: Their Relevance on the Reproductive Capacity in Male Animals." Is bareMinerals Cruelty Free, Vegan, and Sustainable? Environmental Working Group. Then theres the plastic wrappings, paper inserts, cardboard sleeves, foam, mirrored glass and more, sometimes all present in one purchase. For instance, as little as 5% of shampoo's total impact is attributable toraw materials, manufacturing, distribution, and packaging. Environmental Working Group. Opt for products in recyclable and reusable packaging as often as possible. Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology, vol. 8 Zero Waste Skincare Products that Cut Plastic Packaging. As a result, the IUCN Red List says the continued existence of species like long-tailed and rhesus macaquessome of the most usedis threatened. With the #passonplastic movement gathering such momentum for starters, she may well be right. Some 3,600 of the products onEWG's database contain parabens, which can alsobleach coralas well as disruptreproduction in animals, and well over3,500 contain polyethylene, a type of plastic. While some brands are responding by formulating with richer ingredients and less water, theres also a cleansing reduction movement concerned with showering and bathing less. The majority of beauty products come packaged in plastic, which when talking about your average moisturiser pot can take nearly 1,000 years to decompose. Global analyses of aquatic plastic pollutionhave found that plastics have been ingested by two-thirds of fish and90% of seabirds. Everything You Need to Know About Natural Skin Care. If the information is not obvious from the labelling, Bird says: Make companies that you buy from work for you and demand information from them about how best you can recycle their packaging., "The Return to Origins recycling programme welcomes all cosmetic containers, regardless of brand". Even though the FDA doesn't requireanytype of testing before a cosmetic hits the U.S. market, countless products that reach American shelves still undergo animal testing because they're produced or sold in countries that allow or require it. Water is in almost every beauty product on the market. But sadly, Bird adds, I think it will take a leap of faith and an attitude shift before everyone comes around to the conclusion that products may look beautiful on our face, but the containers looks really ugly on our planet.. From a waste standpoint, water is entirely safe for the environment (because, well, it makes up71% percentof the planet already). The cosmetics industry is a serious natural resource drainer. "List of Exporters for the Selected Product in 2020." Science, vol. "Personal Care and Cosmetic Products as a Potential Source of Environmental Contamination by Microplastics in a Densely Populated Asian City." Remember that the cotton wool and regular cosmetic wipes used in your beauty routine are not recyclable, or flushable (they can cause blockages). Orangutan Foundation International. "Next on the banned beauty list may be glitter, something weve developed a toxic obsession with". The specialized recycling companyTerraCyclehas been seminal in making sure mixed-material containers (i.e., pump bottles, mascara tubes, compacts, cream jars, etc.) Another problem with using water as a filler to bulk out a product is its weight. 13., doi:10.3390/cosmetics7010013, Groff, Katherine, et al. What Is CarmineAnd Why Is It So Controversial? Or, where possible, go packaging-free. Of the product packaging we can recycle, half of us dont. We clearly like the premise of reduce, reuse and recycle, but need to practice how. Is CoverGirl Cruelty Free, Vegan, and Sustainable? Much of it is plasticand worse, a variety of plastics that make recycling the packages next to impossible. Neal's Yard Remedies were the first high street retailer to become carbon neutral in 2008 and are now celebrating ten years of being so. 27, no. A Mini-Review, Volatile chemical products emerging as largest petrochemical source of urban organic emissions. Environmental Working Group, 2019. Indeed, species are goingextinctfor the sake of making skin care and eyeshadow palettes. 2188-2199., doi:10.1111/gcb.15533, Wilcox, Chris, et al. "Problems With Palm Oil." Legally, cosmetics include makeup, skin care, hair products,deodorant, and toothpaste. Is Garnier Cruelty Free, Vegan, and Sustainable? (See more below, and count us in.). Environments, vol. Back to Mac is the make-up equivalent. Martins, Ftima C., et al. "Products Containing Octinoxate." A glitter sunscreen.) "Volatile Chemical Products Emerging as Largest Petrochemical Source of Urban Organic Emissions." Plenty of smaller beauty brands offer similar services, too such as hair line Windle & Moodie, who replenish empties at their salons dedicated Refill Bar leaving you will a full product refill at a 30% discount. Environmental Working Group. Cosmetics affect more than the local landfills left with mountains of single-use plasticsthey also affect our oceans, our air quality, and the ecosystems that have provided for flora and fauna for thousands of years. Chemicals in sunscreen contain nanoparticles that can disrupt coral reproduction and growth, ultimately resulting in bleaching. 1, no. "Testing Cosmetics on Animals: MEPs Call for Worldwide Ban." 1, 2020, pp. "Polyethylene." Please see our, Boomerang Bags: One Problem, One Idea, Three Great Outcomes, 15 Best Tips For Eco Friendly Travel & Sustainable Adventures, What is Rayon Fabric? The Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database identifies 1,517 cosmetics and personal care products that containoctinoxateand 460 that containoxybenzonethese are some of the mostenvironmentally destructive UVfilters on the market. Save the Reef. To avoid adding to the problem, the best way to identify if a products ingredients have been sustainably sourced is to look out for the Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance logos on the packaging. "Environmental Sustainability: The European Cosmetics Industry's Contribution 2017-2018." Bashir, Saidu M., et al. 10, 2021, pp. Microbeads and other microplastics like glitter wind up in oceans and disrupt the digestive tracts of marine life. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. They have saved 82m2 of endangered rainforest through the Makira Forest Protection project in Madagascar for every tonne of carbon they produce. How to wash your hair less (and save the planet). "UN World Water Development Report 2020." Parabens, plasticizers, formaldehyde, BHA, pesticides, and coal tar are all rife in cosmetics manufacturing, and sunscreens are a great example of the harm these synthetic ingredients can cause when they reach waterways. "Weights for Various Liquids." You could also try TerraCycle, a programme in partnership with Garnier which offers free recycling for all beauty product packaging. Global Change Biology, vol. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. It is also the mostcommon material used for microbeads in exfoliating products. Air pollution is another negative impact contributed to by the beauty industry and new research revealed that perfumes, hairsprays and deodorants pollute the environment as much as car emissions. "Long-Tailed Macaque." Chouhan, Nitesh, et al. Is Milani Cruelty Free, Vegan, and Sustainable? Uses in the Beauty Industry and Sustainability Concerns. A beauty product's (or brand's) environmental footprint can be measured using a science-based tool called life cycle assessment. But its not entirely our fault or the brands seducing us with overly packaged products. According to Zero Waste Week data, the global cosmetics industry produces 120 billion units of packaging per year. "Plastic Ingestion by Marine Fish is Widespread and Increasing." The free service also gives users the opportunity to fundraise for their favourite school or charity. "Common Air Pollutants: Volatile Organic Compounds." Bring back five and well give you a free face mask.. Orangutan Foundation International estimates that 1,000 to 5,000 orangutans are killed in palm oilconcessions each year. However, its not just plastic thats the problem with the beauty industry, but the vast water waste, too. Microplastics induce transcriptional changes, immune response and behavioral alterations in adult zebrafish, Cosmetic Ingredients as Emerging Pollutants of Environmental and Health Concern. "Review of Evidence of Environmental Impacts of Animal Research and Testing." Government of Canada. 14-30. doi:10.3390/environments1010014. Another concern: Animal testing is a highly resource-intensive and wasteful practice. "Amazonia as a Carbon Source Linked to Deforestation and Climate Change." Research from Garnier found that over 56% of Brits (thats 4.5 million people) dont recycle bathroom products because of the inconvenience. The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species,2020. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T39768A17985511.en, Groff, Katherine, et al. The ingredient was listed simply as "water" inmore than 33,000 products assessed by EWG, and that's not including the thousands more that list it as "aqua" or "eau." Microscopic plastic beads, fragments and fibres are also littering our riverbeds in the UK, one of the reasons why microbeads were banned in beauty and personal care products, a move that only coming into effect this January. Taking a packaging perspective, look out for products made of recyclable materials, such as glass, plant based plastics and natural cork, and those that are biodegradable. Firstly, the animals recruited for laboratory testing are plucked straight from the wild. According to a Euromonitor global consumer trends survey, having a positive impact on the environment through everyday actions is an aim held by two out of three consumers. While this research relates to the Los Angeles environment specifically, and here in the UK air pollution is more affected by emissions from diesel vehicles, scientists say this research highlights an important source of pollution that is currently unregulated. Also think about how you can reuse your packaging, says Bird, if that was what made you buy in the first place, then surely you wont mind it sticking around and starting a new life in your home with a different purpose? Look to Pinterest for endless ideas. "Using Non Reef Safe Sunscreen." The U.S. is one of the largest importers and exporters of cosmetics and beauty products. 359, no. Greenpeace International, 2018. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The plastic that's either downcycled, incinerated, or sent to landfills to break down slowly over 450 years accounts forthe remaining 95%. "Threat of Plastic Pollution to Seabirds Is Global, Pervasive, and Increasing." Law." Is Too Faced Cruelty Free, Ethical, and Sustainable? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Cosmetics, vol. 388-393., doi:10.1038/s41586-021-03629-6. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. "20 Ingredients Found for Palm Oil." European Parliament, 2018. McDonald, Brian C., et al. Here's a rundown of the environmental and sustainability issues surrounding conventional cosmetics. Deforestation is also rampant in the mica mining industry. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration calls the world's coral reefs "one of the most valuable ecosystems on Earth," yet they are subjected toan estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreenevery year. "Cosmetics & U.S. Then check the labelling (see the recycling symbols explained here) to determine its recyclability you may need to research what exactly your local authority recycles. Eudey, A., et al. Certain face wipes such as the Neals Yard Organic Facial Wipes are compostable, or can be added to textiles recycling collection points (once dried out). Gatti, Lucianna V., et al. The mineral is often used to add shimmer to cosmetics. Since 2012 over four million trees have been planted and over eight million euros invested to support environmental projects. And in addition to the ways in which wildlife is impacted by the manufacturing and disposal of the products, they are also directly harmed by the still-prevalent practice of animal testing, which occurs throughout 80% of the world. International Trade Centre, 2020. I think most of us would be shocked to discover how much actually gets recycled from what could be, she says, which is why Lush is going packaging-free, or naked as they like to call it. Allied Market Research, 2021. Elizabeth MacLennan is a fact checker and expert on climate change. The American study, published in the journal Science, found that scented products emit the same level of chemical vapours as petroleum emissions from cars in the form of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To not only save this resource but raise awareness about the importance of access to clean water for all (in a time where 844 million people globally are living without it), the beauty brand is working with WaterAid on a campaign challenging individuals to go an extra day without washing their hair. Besides the ethical concerns around subjectingmore than 100 million animals per yearto possible allergens that often kill them, the outdated practice has an apparent bounty of environmental consequences. What's more, both these industriespalm oil and micaare extracted from the earth by some of the most vulnerable and lowest-paid people in the world. Bilal, Muhammad, et al. 7, no. Personal Care Products Council, 2020. They accept packaging returns and for six Mac containers returned to a counter or online, you will receive a free lipstick of your choice as a thank you. 6377, 2018, pp. Sustainability, Pros and Cons, How to Shop Sustainably, Eco-labels, Tips, and What to Look For, 17 Eco Friendly Candles for Sustainable Scents & Relaxation. Send empties into TerraCycle when they aren't accepted through curbside recycling. Those same studies estimate that the rate of ingestion is increasing by roughly 2% per year. Water is heavierthan most oils, even, and the heavier the load, the higher the transportation emissions. Is It Environmentally Friendly? 11899-11904., doi:10.1073/pnas.1502108112. Therefore, the disposal of these containers accounts for up to 70% of the whole industry'scarbon emissions. (It did note, however, that the balanced ratio was more a result of car pollution going down than pollution fromcosmetics going up.). A reported 80% of countries still allow cosmeticsto be tested on animals. Next on the banned beauty list may well be glitter, something weve developed a toxic obsession with. 760-764., doi:10.1126/science.aaq0524. LCAs, as they're often called, look at each stage of the product, from the extraction of ingredients to manufacturing to use to, finally, post-consumer disposal. These interact with other particles in the air to produce harmful ozone and a type of pollution known as PM2.5, which is very bad news for our lungs. e22661., doi:10.1002/jbt.22661. In fact, one study found the VOCs from fragrances, hairsprays, and deodorants to emit the same level of chemical vapors as cars in some cases. It was discovered in more than 13,500 products assessed by EWG, and4,825 of them were lipsticks and eye shadows. Are Your Beauty Products Fair Trade-Certified? at least get turned into insulation, carpeting, and car parts, but the program has been criticized for giving big corporations an out in the sustainable packaging department. 8, 2021, doi:10.3389/fmars.2021.683482, Savoca, Matthew S., et al. Here we discuss the problems and some solutions ahead of Earth Day 2018. These items should be placed in your rubbish bins, or try alternatives such as cleansing with wash cloths, face flannels or reusable cotton wool-like wipes (try Cheeky Wipes). The United Nations has predicted that 52% of the world's population will live in water-stressed regionsby 2050. "Products Containing Oxybenzone." A multitude of chemicals are used both for testing and cleaningtheseandthe bodies of animals contaminated with them create chemical, radioactive, and biological hazards when they're discarded, either by rendering, landfill disposal,or incineration. 1, 2014, pp. Lush co-founder and product inventor, Rowena Bird told us the recycling industry doesnt seem to have the patience or time to actually recycle mixed component materials. So often when we try to do the right thing, it backfires. Sadly notorious for its negative impact on the environment, the cosmetics industry contributes to pollution and drains natural resources in multiple ways with our everyday actions as consumers exasperating the problem. 22, Copyright 2022 TRVST LTD. All Rights Reserved, 100 North Point Center E,Ste 125 #A262,Alpharetta, GA 30022, USA, 7 Bell Yard, London, WC2A 2JR, United Kingdom, Environmental Impact of Cosmetics & Beauty Products, About 70% of the beauty industrys waste comes from packaging, ingesting microplastic can cause specific genetic mutations and changes in fish behaviors, microplastics in over 100 aquatic species consumed by humans, These chemicals have been tagged as endocrine disruptors and linked with cancer, A recent study has revealed that these products are significantly contributing to carbon dioxide emissions, implicated the mica mining industry in child labor practices, 7 Zero Waste Shaving Cream & Bar Options For An Eco-Friendly Lather, 19 Bamboo Sunglasses and Wooden Alternatives to Plastic, By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by TRVST.