TERRACYCLE NEWS
ELIMINATING THE IDEA OF WASTE®
The makeup bag goes green
What is clean makeup?
In the absence of established regulations, the definition of clean makeup varies from brand to brand and remains open to interpretation. In principle, any component suspected of being carcinogenic, endocrine disruptor, neurotoxic or allergenic should not be present in the formula. In addition, the packaging, boxes and flasks must be biodegradable, with a low carbon footprint. What client wants ... This awareness has been brewing for a long time according to WGSN, the renowned London trend office whose expertise consists in anticipating the major consumer trends of tomorrow. "Several years ago, we predicted that ethical responsibility would become a non-negotiable criterion for buyers," said Jenni Middleton, WGSN beauty director. Since then, the growth of this phenomenon has been observed in the food, fashion and, now, beauty industry. To such an extent that, according to a report published on the company's website, "cosmetic companies that neglect their environmental impact risk losing consumer confidence". The polling firm Nielsen has also revealed that internationally 73% of consumers were ready to change their purchasing habits to reduce their environmental footprint and that 38% preferred to buy ethical cosmetics. This enthusiasm does not go unnoticed by opportunistic banners who see it as a golden marketing opportunity: being seen as eco-responsible is a sales strategy rather than a real value, which gives rise to the famous greenwashing). “Some brands distribute misleading information to give the impression of being green in order to arouse the interest of customers. This can result in misleading statements about the list of ingredients, the packaging (less environmentally friendly than it seems) or even the production chain (falsely carbon neutral) ", argues Jenni Middleton. Fortunately, the expert notes that the consumer is increasingly demanding to see evidence of these claims. And when the client wants something, everyone answers the call. Hence the “Pure and healthy” seal offered by Sephora.Precursors of yesterday, leaders of today
These pioneering brands of clean makeup have paved the way towards a more responsible cosmetic industry. Dr. Hauschka Founded in 1957, the German company launched its make-up range in 1999 as a complement to the skin products it already offered. “We use the same raw materials as in our care. Infused with extracts of medicinal plants and certified organic vegetable oils, our make-up aims to sublimate women's beauty and not to mask it, ”specifies Marie Calas, head of research and development.Green container
According to the Zero Waste Week website, 120 billion packages of cosmetics are produced each year ... and most of them are not recyclable. A dizzying number to which several brands are responding with green initiatives. "At Maison Jacynthe, all the boxes are made of wood and aluminum, in addition to being reusable thanks to refills of eyeshadows," argues Marco Marsolais, make-up artist for the stars and co-creator of the range of cosmetics offered by the company. . For its part, Burt's Bees collaborates with TerraCycle, a company specializing in the management of non-recyclable waste, to ensure the recovery of its small pots.Apps using
How to take a closer look at the composition of products without carrying around a chemistry manual? Applications have been designed to scan the barcodes and the INCI list (the nomenclature of components) written on the packaging.Living Proof links up with TerraCycle on two new recycling programmes
The Green Team
Supergoop Has *Finally* Launched in Canada at Sephora
This Week’s Need-to-Know Beauty News
Good news SPF lovers (which really should be all of us) – cult suncare brand Supergoop is now available in Canada. This week, the brand launched exclusively at Sephora with four of its key products: Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, Dailyscreen Moisturizer SPF 40, Zincsreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 40 and (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 45. Holly Thaggard, the brand’s founder and CEO, said of the brand’s products, “At Supergoop!, our mission is to make SPF not just a habit to wear every single day, but a part of your routine that is easy and fun. We strive to develop a range of products that feel good on the skin, work for all skin types and tones, and fit seamlessly into your existing skincare and makeup lineup. We recommend playing around with a few different formulas to find the right fit for your specific skin needs and daily routine.”
Holt Renfrew launched an exclusive new spring candle collection from Diptyque
Now that we’re all spending so much time at home, chances are you’re (literally) burning through your candle stash, which makes Holt Renfrew‘s exclusive launch of Diptyque’s new spring candle collection perfect timing. Called Colouring Spring, the collection is comprised of five floral scents, including Mimosa, Geranium Rosa, Coisya, Freesia and Iris. Buy them all to create your very own floral bouquet whilst you wait for your favourite farmer’s market to reopen.
Living Proof announced a new sustainable recycling program for its hair care packaging in Canada
Hair care brand Living Proof (which is part-owned by Jennifer Aniston) announced an impressive new recycling initiative in Canada this week. Moving forward, customers have two ways to recycle their empty products via dedicated program pages on the brand’s website in partnership with TerraCycle. Both options include free shipping labels for you to send the items to TerraCycle to be recycled. For every package sent to TerraCycle, customers can earn points which can then be redeemed for charitable gifts or converted to cash donations for a non-profit, school or organization of your choice. “Living Proof is committed to solving the toughest beauty challenges with safe, cruelty-free innovations that don’t compromise our planet, and partnering with TerraCycle has helped us further development this commitment,” Sarah Mountcastle Mitchell, the brand’s brand marketing manager said in a release.
Live Clean launched a new innovative dry mist shampoo
Canadian natural hair care brand Live Clean expanded its portfolio this week with the introduction of a brand new Dry Mist Shampoo. Made from plant and naturally derived ingredients (including witch hazel, nettle and arrowroot), it has been formulated without the harsh chemicals often found in other formulations and is available in four fresh scents. Dry shampoo, though wildly popular, can be damaging to our hair and the environment but Live Clean’s new safe formula – which is suitable for all hair types – ensures your tresses are taken of with no risk to the world around you. Plus, the dry mist shampoo is air-powered meaning it is powered by oxygen versus propellants. The collection is now available at Shopper’s Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, Uniprix, Familiprix and Well.ca.
Province Apothecary released a new antiseptic hand wash
Toronto-based beauty emporium Province Apothecary unveiled the latest product in its lineup on Friday – a limited edition antiseptic hand cleanser. Made with 95 per cent Ethyl Alcohol, the hand sanitizer is Health Canada approved and kills 99.9 per cent of germs. Right now, you can get your hands on a bottle for $16 (it will be regularly priced at $22) via the brand’s website.
A Canadian tattoo shop released a ‘Speaking Moistly’ lip balm in honour of Justin Trudeau
M Justin Trudeau has been the subject of many a meme of late. Besides his casual hair flick, the most prominent meme is undoubtedly the one based on when the PM said masks would stop people from “speaking moistly.” The regret at his use of the words was evident immediately but now local Canadian tattoo parlour Painted People Tattoo Co. has turned his words into an actual lip balm. The ‘Speaking Moistly’ lip balm is made using mostly locally-sourced ingredients, including raw local Canadian beeswax, with no articifical fragrances or flavours. $2 from every lip balm sold will be donated to the North York Harvest Food Bank, too, so you’ll get a piece of history for a very good cause.
Plastics Industry Seeks More Zero-Waste Programs
Zero waste has become the mantra of more companies and municipalities as landfill space is running out and consumers are becoming more aware of the impact wastes such as plastic have on the environment. And speaking of plastics, one of the industry’s oldest and largest trade associations, the Plastics Industry Trade Association (SPI), is starting to nudge its members to consider launching zero-waste programs.
To that end, SPI tweaked its mission statement and now claims that zero waste is integral to the long-term success of the plastics industry.
In order to give this mission statement more teeth, SPI launched a recognition program for member companies that are working toward zero-net-waste within their manufacturing operations. While offering participating companies several lofty goals, the bottom line for SPI is to maximize its members’ waste-diversion efforts, such as the return of excess materials like resins to a manufacturing process or implementing an energy-recovery program in areas where recycling is not necessarily viable.
So, what do companies have to do? A qualification and verification process is the starting point. Companies need to evaluate how they can improve waste management within their operations, and determine what they are going to do with unwanted materials that include scrap, office and cafeteria waste, landscaping debris and waste, unwanted construction materials, and potentially toxic materials such as light bulbs, batteries and chemicals. Once a company has sent all documentation requested by SPI, it is permitted to use the SPI’s Zero Net Waste program logo.
There is one point, however, that will raise some eyebrows: SPI does not require any third-party verification. “SPI’s assumption is that companies will be honest and forthcoming with the information they are providing to meet qualification and verification requirements,” says the organization in its Zero Net Waste program materials.
Nevertheless, self-policing is better than taking no steps at all. The SPI’s goal is for companies to adopt the best possible waste-management practices without “onerous” restrictions — as in, regulations. SPI warns its members to take the program seriously and to avoid greenwashing. How a company would be discovered in violation of SPI’s terms and conditions for using its logos, however, is left unsaid. But of course in this age of social media, woe to any company that exaggerates or fibs about its sustainability efforts.
For the plastic industry’s shift to adopting zero-waste programs, or at least programs close to zero waste, reflects what is unfolding at more companies here in the U.S. and abroad. Cities such as Minneapolis, San Francisco and Palo Alto, California, have shown municipalities how they can inch toward total landfill diversion. CPG companies such as Unilever and Procter & Gamble, the products of which generate massive amounts of garbage on their own, have also made huge strides on the zero-waste front.
With other potential partners around, such as the upcycling giant TerraCycle, there are plenty of opportunities for companies to become more innovative with their trash so they can turn it into treasure. And in the meantime, they can gain the trust of their stakeholders and increasingly fickle consumers.
Os blocos sustentáveis da Mega Bloks
Com os dias longos em casa devido ao isolamento eu tenho buscado brinquedos educativos e, ao mesmo tempo sustentáveis. Acho muito importante comprar os brinquedos pensado no impacto na natureza, além de ser um brinquedo inteligente que irá despertar o interesse dos meninos por algumas horas, vários dias seguidos. E foi pensando em tudo isso que eu adorei quando a marca Mega Bloks me contactou para eu revisar alguns de seus brinquedos.