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Sustainable Sneaks Step Up Footwear Circularity

Newcomer Third Mind elevates men’s footwear in more ways than one; while a first-of-its-kind recycling service from Thousand Fell, TerraCycle and UPS ensures your sustainable sneaks won’t end up in a landfill.

Third Mind continues to innovate on classic men's footwear

Image credit: Third Mind Third Mind — a California-based sustainable men’s footwear brand that’s out to modernize men’s dress shoes, launched earlier this year — has already expanded its line of shoes that perform like a sneaker, look like dress shoes and don't harm the environment. Created by former Native Shoes exec Steve Hamel, the startup has introduced a penny loafer into its line of responsibly engineered lace-ups and wing tips for the holidays. The Gene loafer — named for Singing in the Rain actor Gene Kelly — is ultra-lightweight, eliminates odors, and is made from sustainable materials including:

Outsoles made with 30 percent recycled rubber from tires
Clarino® TirreninaTM — a non-woven microfiber leather that replaces animal leather and gives Third Mind shoes durability, stretch, and recovery for the ultimate shoe performance. The company says Clarino Tirrenina is used because of the solvent-free manufacturing process, reduction of water waste by 70 percent, and reduction of CO2 emissions by 35 percent
NatureTex® — a lining material made from 100 percent recycled water bottles. The strobel and inside board of Third Mind shoes contain 70 percent recycled materials. Of that 70 percent, 80 percent is from recycled plastic water bottles and the rest is from recycled post-industrial materials

Third Mind says it has an extensive approval process for selecting suppliers that provide parts for manufacturing — which requires fair wages, renewable energy programs, and pollution-eliminating programs. The company also conducts rigid quality-control tests on each products, including being vetted for harmful chemicals before it can be taken to market.

Thousand Fell launches sneaker-recycling program with UPS, TerraCycle

Image credit: Thousand Fell Last week, recyclable footwear brand Thousand Fell announced it had teamed up with UPS and TerraCycle on an innovative sneaker-recycling program. The launch is part of a two-year partnership between Thousand Fell and TerraCycle, which together have been working to create at-scale recycling solutions for footwear — retail’s largest waste-producing product category*. The nationwide program offers customers an easy and accessible way to recycle their sneakers — through the expansive network of UPS Store locations and UPS authorized partners such as Staples. Customers can now bring their prepaid, labeled packages containing their sneakers to any of these 14,400 locations to be shipped directly back to TerraCycle for recycling; and in exchange, Thousand Fell will issue a credit of $20 towards a future purchase. Launched last year, the New York-based brand has been a pioneer in circular footwear — by shunning leather in favor of other materials such as natural recycled rubber, castor beans, coconut husks, sugar cane and quartz for its ‘full circle footwear’ designs. Its line started with white lace-up and slip-on sneakers for men and women, which co-founder Stuart Ahlum has called the “perfect product to put on a closed-loop system.” In addition to using alternative materials, Thousand Fell has tasked itself with getting product back from customers while responsibly maintaining carbon footprint and cost, and breaking down the returned products so that the materials could be reused in new sneakers. Through this partnership, Thousand Fell is empowering customers to join them in building a zero-waste future, while giving them full visibility and the ability to track their footwear’s life cycle. Through the new program: • Thousand Fell is using UPS’s reverse logistics program for recycling returns and freight, which they can build and scale together over time, while keeping their carbon footprint as low as possible. • Customers can drop off prepaid, labeled packages containing their sneakers at any of UPS’s 14,400 nationwide UPS Store locations or UPS authorized partners, such as Staples, so the sneakers may be shipped back to TerraCycle for recycling. Customers can download their shipping labels at https://www.thousandfell.com/pages/our-sustainability. • TerraCycle and Thousand Fell are also working on a closed-loop solution where old sneakers will be reintegrated into the supply chain to make new sneakers. • Thousand Fell customers can create an account and register their sneakers once received, so that they can initiate free recycling when they’re ready — either at one of the in-person drop-off locations or by shipping them back directly to TerraCycle. Customers will also be able to see their entire purchase history and track the personal carbon footprint for their sneakers through ThousandFell.com. *Traditionally 97 percent of all shoes end up in landfills. 300 million shoes head to landfill in the U.S. alone every year, after less than just 1 year of wear.

VTech® and Leapfrog® Partner with TerraCycle to Launch Recycling Program

TerraCycle Include USA Vtech/LeapFrog

VTech® and LeapFrog®, world leaders in state-of-the-art developmental learning products for children, announced the launch of a free, national recycling program for select electronic learning devices and electronic toys, in partnership with international recycling leader TerraCycle. “We are so excited to launch this new recycling program,” said Andy Keimach, President, VTech Electronics North America. “By partnering with TerraCycle, we are making it easier for parents to recycle electronic toys while making inroads to our ongoing sustainability goals for VTech and LeapFrog.” The newly announced recycling program allows fans to easily send in select VTech and LeapFrog electronic learning devices and electronic toys to be properly disposed and recycled. For every shipment sent to TerraCycle, collectors earn points that can be donated to a non-profit, school or charitable organization of their choice. Once collected, the electronic learning devices and electronic toys will be cleaned, melted into hard plastic and remolded to make new products from the recycled materials, such as playgrounds, picnic tables and park benches. “TerraCycle’s mission has always been to ‘Eliminate the Idea of Waste’ and we’ve proven that solutions do exist for items that may seem difficult to recycle – even e-waste,” said Tom Szaky, TerraCycle Founder and CEO. “VTech and LeapFrog not only share our commitment but have taken it to the next level through recycling initiatives like the VTech & LeapFrog Toys Recycling Program. Together we are partnering to reduce the impact of this type of waste on the environment, help pave the way for a greener future and protect the planet for the next generation.”

VTech and LeapFrog partner with TerraCycle to recycle electronic learning devices

TerraCycle Include USA Vtech/LeapFrog

VTech and LeapFrog, leaders in developmental learning products for children, have launched a free, national recycling program for select electronic learning devices and electronic toys, in partnership with international recycling leader TerraCycle. "We are so excited to launch this new recycling program," said Andy Keimach, President, VTech Electronics North America. "By partnering with TerraCycle, we are making it easier for parents to recycle electronic toys while making inroads to our ongoing sustainability goals for VTech and LeapFrog." The newly announced recycling program allows fans to easily send in select VTech and LeapFrog electronic learning devices and electronic toys to be properly disposed and recycled. For every shipment sent to TerraCycle, collectors earn points that can be donated to a non-profit, school or charitable organization of their choice. To participate in the program, there are three simple steps:

Sign up on the TerraCycle program page.
On the VTech and LeapFrog page, click to submit product. At that point, a prepaid shipping label will populate.
Completely fill any shipping box with VTech and LeapFrog electronic learning devices and electronic toys, affix the shipping label and ship the box to TerraCycle to be recycled.

Once collected, the electronic learning devices and electronic toys will be cleaned, melted into hard plastic and remolded to make new products from the recycled materials, such as playgrounds, picnic tables and park benches. "TerraCycle's mission has always been to ‘Eliminate the Idea of Waste' and we've proven that solutions do exist for items that may seem difficult to recycle - even e-waste," said Tom Szaky, TerraCycle Founder and CEO. "VTech and LeapFrog not only share our commitment but have taken it to the next level through recycling initiatives like the VTech & LeapFrog Toys Recycling Program. Together we are partnering to reduce the impact of this type of waste on the environment, help pave the way for a greener future and protect the planet for the next generation."

VTech and LeapFrog Partner with TerraCycle to Launch Recycling Program

TerraCycle Include USA Vtech/LeapFrog

TRENTON, NJ / AGILITYPR.NEWS / November 03, 2020 / Customers Can Recycle Their VTech® and LeapFrog® Toys for Free Through National Program Today VTech® and LeapFrog®, world leaders in state-of-the-art developmental learning products for children, announced the launch of a free, national recycling program for select electronic learning devices and electronic toys, in partnership with international recycling leader TerraCycle. “We are so excited to launch this new recycling program,” said Andy Keimach, President, VTech Electronics North America. “By partnering with TerraCycle, we are making it easier for parents to recycle electronic toys while making inroads to our ongoing sustainability goals for VTech and LeapFrog.” The newly announced recycling program allows fans to easily send in select VTech and LeapFrog electronic learning devices and electronic toys to be properly disposed and recycled. For every shipment sent to TerraCycle, collectors earn points that can be donated to a non-profit, school or charitable organization of their choice. To participate in the program, there are three simple steps:

Sign Up! – Sign up on the TerraCycle program page at https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/vtech-leapfrog.
Print the Shipping Label – On the VTech and LeapFrog page, click to submit product. At that point, a prepaid shipping label will populate.
Ship the Box – Completely fill any shipping box with VTech and LeapFrog electronic learning devices and electronic toys, affix the shipping label and ship the box to TerraCycle to be recycled.

Once collected, the electronic learning devices and electronic toys will be cleaned, melted into hard plastic and remolded to make new products from the recycled materials, such as playgrounds, picnic tables and park benches. “TerraCycle’s mission has always been to ‘Eliminate the Idea of Waste’ and we’ve proven that solutions do exist for items that may seem difficult to recycle – even e-waste,” said Tom Szaky, TerraCycle Founder and CEO. “VTech and LeapFrog not only share our commitment but have taken it to the next level through recycling initiatives like the VTech & LeapFrog Toys Recycling Program. Together we are partnering to reduce the impact of this type of waste on the environment, help pave the way for a greener future and protect the planet for the next generation.” The VTech® & LeapFrog® Toys Recycling Program is open to any individual, school, office, or community organization interested. For more information on this initiative and TerraCycle’s other recycling programs, visit www.terracycle.com.

ABOUT US

VTech VTech is a world leader in age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children. As a pioneer in the learning toy category, VTech develops high-quality, innovative educational products that enrich children's development and make learning fun. With a rich 40 year history, VTech has not only established itself as a learning authority but also consistently remains at the forefront of innovation with multiple award-winning products, including prestigious Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award winners. The company also has a broad range of award-winning infant, toddler and preschool products available in 28 different languages worldwide, with more than 100 new products introduced every year. In order to further strengthen VTech's position as a learning authority, new products are developed with critical insights from a dedicated team of in-house learning experts. VTech Electronics North America, L.L.C. is based in Arlington Heights, Illinois. VTech Electronics Limited is headquartered in Hong Kong with distribution globally. For more information about VTech's electronic learning products, visit www.VTechKids.com, www.facebook.com/VTechtoys on Facebook or follow @VTechToys on Twitter. LeapFrog LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. is the leader in innovative learning toys for children that encourage a child's curiosity and love of learning throughout their early developmental journey. For more than 20 years, LeapFrog has helped children expand their knowledge and imagination through award-winning products that combine state-of-the-art educational expertise led by the LeapFrog Learning Team, innovative technology, and engaging play – turning playtime into quality time that helps children leap ahead. LeapFrog's proprietary learning tablets and ground-breaking developmental games, learn to read and write systems, interactive learning toys and more are designed to create personalized experiences that encourage, excite and build confidence in children. LeapFrog is a subsidiary of VTech Holdings Limited, which is based in Hong Kong. LeapFrog was founded in 1995 by a father who revolutionized technology-based learning solutions to help his child learn how to read. Learn more at www.leapfrog.com.information on your computer. TerraCycle TerraCycle is an innovative waste management company with a mission to eliminate the idea of waste. Operating nationally across 21 countries, TerraCycle partners with leading consumer product companies, retailers and cities to recycle products and packages, from dirty diapers to cigarette butts, that would otherwise end up being landfilled or incinerated. In addition, TerraCycle works with leading consumer product companies to integrate hard to recycle waste streams, such as ocean plastic, into their products and packaging. Its new division, Loop, is the first shopping system that gives consumers a way to shop for their favorite brands in durable, reusable packaging. TerraCycle has won over 200 awards for sustainability and has donated over $44 million to schools and charities since its founding more than 15 years ago and was named #10 in Fortune magazine’s list of 52 companies Changing the World. To learn more about TerraCycle or get involved in its recycling programs, please visit www.terracycle.com.

CONTACTS

Sue Kauffman Sue.Kauffman@TerraCycle.comPhone: +1 609.393.4252 x3708

LINKS

www.terracycle.com

www.VTechKids.com

www.leapfrog.com

VTech and LeapFrog partner with TerraCycle to launch recycling program

TerraCycle Include USA Vtech/LeapFrog

Customers can recycle their VTech and LeapFrog toys for free through this new program. November 3, 2020 Posted by Kaily Cunningham VTech and LeapFrog have announced the launch of a free, national recycling program for select electronic learning devices and electronic toys in partnership with Trenton, New Jersey-based TerraCycle. “We are so excited to launch this new recycling program,” Andy Keimach, president of VTech Electronics North America says. “By partnering with TerraCycle, we are making it easier for parents to recycle electronic toys while making inroads to our ongoing sustainability goals for VTech and LeapFrog.” The newly announced recycling program allows customers to easily send in select VTech and LeapFrog electronic learning devices and electronic toys to be properly disposed and recycled, the company says. For every shipment sent to TerraCycle, customers earn points that can be donated to a nonprofit, school or charitable organization of their choice. To participate in the program, there are three steps:

Sign up on the TerraCycle program page.
On the VTech and LeapFrog page, click to submit product, and a prepaid shipping label will populate.
Fill any shipping box with the VTech and LeapFrog electronic learning devices and electronic toys, attach the shipping label and ship the box to TerraCycle to be recycled.

Once collected, the electronic learning devices and electronic toys will be cleaned and the plastic will be recycled to make new products, such as playgrounds, picnic tables and park benches. “TerraCycle’s mission has always been to ‘Eliminate the Idea of Waste’ and we’ve proven that solutions do exist for items that may seem difficult to recycle – even e-waste,” Tom Szaky, TerraCycle founder and CEO says. “VTech and LeapFrog not only share our commitment but have taken it to the next level through recycling initiatives like the VTech & LeapFrog Toys Recycling Program. Together we are partnering to reduce the impact of this type of waste on the environment, help pave the way for a greener future and protect the planet for the next generation.” The VTech & LeapFrog Toys Recycling Program is open to any individual, school, office or community organization.

VTECH, LEAPFROG PARTNER WITH TERRACYCLE FOR ELECTRONIC TOY RECYCLING

TerraCycle Include USA Vtech/LeapFrog

Vtech and LeapFrog are making a big move toward sustainability thanks to a newly inked partnership with TerraCycle. A new, free recycling program provides an easy way for families in the U.S. to properly recycle select electronic toys and learning devices. The toys will be cleaned, melted into hard plastic, and remolded to make new products, many of which make their way into parks and playgrounds as picnic tables and benches. “By partnering with TerraCycle, we are making it easier for parents to recycle electronic toys while making inroads to our ongoing sustainability goals for VTech and LeapFrog,” says Andy Keimach, president, VTech Electronics North America. Families wishing to recycle their VTech and LeapFrog toys can visit a special program page on the TerraCycle website to find shipping information and to print a prepaid shipping label. With the launch of its new program, VTech and LeapFrog join a growing number of toymakers, including Hasbro, Mattel, MGA Entertainment, and ZURU that have partnered with TerraCycle in an effort to reduce toy waste.

11 Best Brands for Eco-Friendly, Cruelty-Free and Vegan Sneakers

TerraCycle Include USA Thousand Fell

If you’re committed to a cruelty-free lifestyle and seeking a cool pair of kicks that are free from animal byproduct and are planet-friendly we’ve got you covered. Whatever your style preferences, tastes and budget, we hope this list helps you discover your perfect pair of eco-friendly vegan sneakers – whether you’re working from home, needing a pair for travel adventures or just need some dope footwear for your street style.

1. ethletic

For fair-trade, sustainable vegan sneakers for both men and women, award-winning German brand ethletic has what you’re after. The brand uses organic cotton that is Fairtrade and GOTS certified and the sneakers are ethically produced in Pakistan by workers who are paid a living wage. For each pair of sneakers sold, one US dollar is paid as a premium to the Talon Fair Trade Workers Welfare Society. We should point out, ethletic is a pioneering ethical footwear brand, becoming the first sneaker brand to be certified and marketed with the Fairtrade quality seal. Browse ethletic here.

2. Vivobarefoot

Sustainable outdoor shoe brand Vivobarefoot specialises in producing ergonomic barefoot-style shoes for men and women that follows the form of the foot and provides maximum comfort and performance. The brand’s use of innovative materials such as algae biomass and recycled plastic from bottles enables it to produce some of the most sustainable, vegan sneakers and footwear on the market. Our pick is the lightweight, flexible PRIMUS LITE II made from recycled plastics; they are a stylish and functional ethically-made vegan sneakers ideal for outdoor activities such as gym sessions, on-foot sightseeing and hiking. Shop Vivobarefoot.

3. Saola

American sustainable footwear brand Saola produces a stylish range of casual shoes and sneakers for both men and women. All of its footwear is 100% vegan, made with eco-friendly materials such as recycled plastic bottle uppers, cork insoles, recycled Algae Foam, and organic cotton laces. Saola is also a member of 1% for the Planet and commits one percent of its annual sales to environmental causes; specifically donating to Mwalua Wildlife Trust, a Kenyan charity that supplies sustainable water systems to wildlife communities. Shop Saola.

4. TOMS

Founded by Blake Mycoskie, TOMS one-for-one business model put the American shoe brand on the map. TOMS produces an affordable range of shoes for men and women, including a lightweight, classic vegan sneaker style made from canvas upper and rubber outsole. A certified B Corporation, this is a business that meets high standards of social and environmental performance and transparency. Shop TOMS.

5. Thousand Fell

Launched last November, shoe retailer Thousand Fell produces full circle, recyclable vegan-friendly footwear for men and women designed to never go to landfill. With a focus on circular fashion and closing the loop by recycling all materials at the end of life thanks to partnerships with TerraCycle and United Parcel Service, this may just be the most environmentally-conscious vegan sneaker brand in the world. To incentivise customers to recycle their shoes, the brand offers $20 which is paid upon receipt of the old or worn shoes. Designed in New York City, the shoes are responsibly made in Brazil using plant-based and recycled materials such as aloe vera, natural and recycled rubber, recycled plastic (upcycled from plastic bottles) and palm leaf fibres. Thousand Fell footwear are crafted in a family owned factory with 30 years of high end shoe-making experience and meets high standards of ethical production. The brand offers a range of lace-up sneakers and slip-on footwear. Shop Thousand Fell.

6. ‘Forever Floatride Grow’ By Reebok

Reebok has just launched its first ever 100% sustainable cruelty-free running shoe the ‘Forever Floatride Grow‘ on the back of its debut [REE]cycled sustainable collection of trainers featuring recycled and repurposed materials. This elite plant-based running shoe features eco-friendly attributes: a midsole crafted from sustainably grown castor beans, an upper made from sustainably sourced eucalyptus trees, natural rubber outsole and a sock liner utilising sustainably-harvested BLOOM algae foam. Forever Floatride is available in a variety of colours including black, white and neutral, and in men’s and women’s sizes. Shop Reebok’s running shoe here.

7. Veja

French footwear and accessories brand Veja is the darling of the sustainable sneaker industry. Since 2005 it has been responsibly producing its iconic V-branded sneakers in South Brazil under fair-trade conditions, using sustainable materials such as organic cotton, recycled cotton, recycled plastic. locally-sourced vegetable tanned leather from tanneries audited and certified by Leather Working Group and wild rubber sustainably sourced from the Amazonian forest. Not all of Veja’s sneakers are vegan though so if you’re browsing its website, make sure to specifically search the vegan category. Shop Veja

8. Etiko

Award-winning Australian pioneer in ethical footwear and apparel Etiko produces GOTS-certified organic and fair-trade certified low-cut and high-top vegan sneakers for men and women. Think ethical alternative to the iconic brand Converse and you get the gist of the brand’s shoe offerings. Every aspect of Etiko’s business that has been considered, from biodegradable packaging, transparent supply chain, relevant ethical certifications, and it has even scored highly in fashion ratings app Good on You and in the annual Ethical Fashion Report by Baptist World Aid. Shop Etiko.

9. Beflamboyant

Designed in Galicia, Spain, these fairtrade, unisex vegan sneakers are handcrafted in Felgueiras, Portugal by skilled artisans. Carrying the PETA seal of approval, Beflamboyant vegan sneakers consider the welfare of animals, people and environment. Made from high quality microfiber, recycled cottons, recycled PU insole and manufactured with zero carbon emissions, these vegan kicks are as cruelty-free as they are planet-friendly. The timeless design means you’ll always be on trend- no matter the season or year. Shop Beflamboyant.

10. MIRET

After a successful crowdfunding campaign earlier this year, Croatian eco-friendly sneaker brand MIRET was able to launch its business. In its product mix, the brand offered vegan-friendly sneaker options, ‘Hempies’ and ‘Veggies’. The Hempies are made from European-grown chemical-free hemp and its Veggies range are made from a high quality, biodegradable vegan textile that carries a Cradle to Cradle™ certification. The MIRET outsole contains 100% natural latex harvested from rubber trees and the insole is made of cork. The sneakers are ethically manufactured in Croatia. Shop MIRET.

11. AKS

Previously known as Purple Impression, fairtrade brand AKS launched its line of eco-friendly vegan sneakers last year. Made from organic cotton and sustainably harvested natural rubber, the unique embroidered designs and vibrant colours is what makes this vegan sneaker label stand out from the rest. The brand’s Instagram tagline “building artisan communities, one sneaker at a time” is in reference to empowering its female artisans in Pakistan, helping to revive the traditional art of embroidery and preserve the skills for future generations. As each shoe is handmade, each pair is unique and it’s this human touch that makes them much more valuable; slow fashion embraces humanity; fast fashion, not so much. Shop AKS here.

Disclosure: Details are correct at time of publishing. Opinions are that of the writer’s. This curated list does not fully take into account all the ethical considerations that are unique to each individual. Before making a purchase, we encourage you to do your own research paying particular attention to the supply chain and your own particular set of ethics. You can also check out online tools and apps that provide product reviews and brand ratings here. Click here to read more about our policies. Cover image via Saola.

Startup Brands Like The Shoe Company Thousand Fell are Bringing Circular Economics to the Fashion Industry

TerraCycle Include USA Thousand Fell

Thousand Fell, the environmentally conscious, direct-to-consumer shoe retailer that launched last November, has revealed the details of the recycling program that’s a core component of its pitch to consumers. The company, which has now sold enough shoes to start seeing its early buyers begin recycling them after 10 months of ownership, expects to recycle roughly 3,000 pairs per quarter by 2021, with the capacity to scale up to 6,000 pairs of shoes. The recycling feature, through partnerships with United Parcel Service and TerraCycle, offers customers the option to avoid simply throwing out the shoes for $20 in cash that the company pays out upon receipt of the old shoes.

With the initiative, Thousand Fell joins a growing number of companies in consumer retail that are experimenting with various strategies to incorporate reuse into the life cycle of their products. Nike operates a “reuse-a-shoe” program at some of its stores, which collects used athletic shoes from any brand for recycling. Several companies are offering denim recycling drop-off locations to take old jeans and convert the material into other products.

AeroFlexx Announces Partnership with TerraCycle®

TerraCycle Include USA Aeroflexx

AeroFlexx today announced a partnership with TerraCycle® as part of its sustainability commitment. This new partnership is an extension of AeroFlexx’s sustainable liquids packaging offering that begins with source reduction, using 50 to 70% less plastic than traditional rigid bottles. AeroFlexx packaging solutions also deliver significant e-commerce benefits and are ISTA 6 Amazon approved. AeroFlexx packaging creates a more environmentally friendly supply chain as it ships flat prior to filling, with less weight and less transportation required, creating a significantly lower carbon footprint. The AeroFlexx partnership with TerraCycle®, the world's leader in the collection and repurposing of complex waste streams, further demonstrates AeroFlexx’s commitment to sustainability, offering brands and customers easy-to-use, recycle-ready solutions, so that AeroFlexx Paks do not end up in landfills. Through TerraCycle®’s recycling program, any AeroFlexx Pak can be recycled by requesting a free mail-back envelope online. AeroFlexx, a portfolio company of Innventure, revolutionized liquid packaging by combining the best attributes of flexibles and rigids to create a disruptive new-to-the-world packaging form. "Our commitment to a circular economy is to create an ecosystem where no AeroFlexx Pak ends up in the environment," said Andrew Meyer, CEO of AeroFlexx. "AeroFlexx has been recognized for its ability to reduce the amount of plastic through source reduction and we’re excited to continue to deliver against our sustainability promise by making it easy for customers to recycle their AeroFlexx packaging through TerraCycle®."

How to Recycle Your Used Beauty Products

TerraCycle Include USA Nordstrom BEAUTYCYCLE

You may have heard some of the staggering statistics around the amount of waste within the beauty industry. (For example, Euromonitor International reported that nearly 7.9 billion units of rigid plastic were used for beauty and personal care products in the U.S. alone in 2018). Another disappointing reality is that “only a small fraction of plastics in the U.S. are actually getting recycled,” says Danielle Jezienicki, the director of sustainability for Grove Collaborative, the company behind Peach, a plastic-free collection of face, body and hair soaps that recently launched. “Those that are more likely to be recycled are larger bottles and containers that aren’t as commonly used in the cosmetics industry,” she adds. The good news is that the beauty industry is starting to think about sustainable packaging in a more meaningful way (though, to be clear, we still have a long way to go). Leaders like Unilever (which owns Dove, Suave and Simple) and L'Oréal (parent company to Kiehl’s, Maybelline and Garnier) have both pledged to make 100 percent of their plastic packaging reusable, recyclable, refillable, or compostable by 2025; Procter & Gamble (who owns Olay, Pantene and Secret) says 90 percent of its packaging will be recyclable or reusable by 2025 and 100 percent by 2030. Alas, sustainability is a team effort. We, as individual consumers, must work together to reduce waste in the beauty industry—and beyond. It sounds like a lofty goal, but a few small steps can make a big difference over time. Let’s start with some easy ways to recycle smarter.

@TATAHARPER/INSTAGRAM

LOOK FOR 1’S AND 2’S ON PACKAGING

To see if a product can be placed in your recycling bin, look for the recycling symbol or Möbius Loop on the packaging. “If the loop has a number 1 or 2 on it, the item can be picked up through most curbside recycling programs,” shares Jezienicki. “Number 5 is collected in some areas, but you’ll need to check your local municipality to see what can be put in your bins. (You can find this information on your town or city's official website or on sites like Earth 911, which lists guides and the recycling locations nearest to you.)

CHOOSE METAL OR GLASS WHENEVER POSSIBLE

Many brands are starting to think beyond plastic. “I am encouraged to see more brands transition to using glass and metal, which are much more likely to be recycled, and are infinitely recyclable, as they don’t degrade with each go around like plastic does,” says Jezienicki. “And if they don’t get recycled, they are inert, so, at the very least, they don’t degrade into harmful microplastics.”

COCOKIND

CONSIDER THE SIZE OF EACH PRODUCT (AND ITS COMPONENTS)

When it comes to what’s recyclable or not, size matters. “Anything under two inches—think sprayers, caps, droppers and pumps—are often not recyclable,” explains Priscilla Tsai, the founder of Cocokind. “Sorting happens on a conveyor belt and items that can be recycled are typically pulled out, and smaller parts such as pumps or caps can literally fall through the cracks, so they are unlikely to be recycled on their own—especially when the plastic type is not known,” adds Jezienicki.So, when you’ve finished that bottle of brightening serum or cleanser, disassemble it into the parts that can be recycled (i.e., the plastic bottle or glass container itself) and the parts that need to be thrown away (the dropper cap or spray top). “The exception is when the caps are made out of the same recyclable material as the rest of the packaging,” Tsai adds. (FYI: This should be noted on the packaging itself or on the brand’s website.) “For example, the caps and tubes for our skincare sticks are made from the same material, so they can be recycled as one item.”

ADVERTISING

WAVEBREAKMEDIA/GETTY IMAGES

WHAT CAN’T BE RECYCLED?

Unfortunately, there are some beauty products that simply can’t be recycled at this time. For example, items that come in pouches or squeezable tubes—like toothpaste, hand cream and sheet mask packets—can’t be recycled and should be tossed in the trash.Other non-recyclable materials that are commonly used in beauty packaging include anything with a mirror or magnet (i.e., most eyeshadow palettes), as well as makeup brushes and products that have high alcohol content (nail polish and polish remover), which the EPA considers to be household hazardous waste. “If you’re not sure about whether or not something is recyclable, or if something is really dirty, contaminated or flammable, I would say put it in the landfill garbage bin to be safe,” advises Jezienicki. Because if the product turns out to be unacceptable at the recycling facility, it can back up the entire process (which we’re told is a common issue) and end up in waste anyway.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE I RECYCLE MY BEAUTY PRODUCTS?

Yes, you want to make sure you give everything a thorough clean before you put it into the recycling bin. Once you’ve completely used up a product, rinse out any leftover residue from the inside, so it doesn’t contaminate other recyclable materials in your bin. This can prevent it from being properly processed and repurposed. Ditto for any adhesives or stickers that are on the packaging. “I always recommend removing labels because a lot of the time the adhesive on the label is not recyclable,” says Tsai. We know this is a LOT of information being thrown your way, but before you get too overwhelmed, know this: every little bit helps. Start by making one small change at a time to avoid feeling discouraged. As Tiila Abbitt, the CEO and founder of Aether Beauty, a sustainable makeup company that launched the first zero-waste eye shadow palette, told us earlier this year: “This isn’t about perfection," says Abbitt. "We don’t need a few people creating a zero-waste lifestyle perfectly. We need millions of people trying their best, thinking more about their own footprint and making better choices with the goods they are purchasing, however imperfectly, to make a difference.” And on that note, here are some ways you can make your beauty routine more sustainable.

NORDSTROM

1. Opt for refillable options wherever possible. Makeup brands like Kjaer Weiss have refillable packaging so most of the line—which includes cream blush, eyeshadow and bronzer—is housed in sturdy (and sleek) metal that can be refilled over and over again. Other notable brands with refillable options include by Humankind, which offers refills on shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, hand sanitizer and mouthwash, and Oui the People, whose sleek rose gold razor is initially an investment at 75 dollars, but offers a 10-pack of blade refills for 11 bucks thereafter. 2. Swap out single-use wipes and cotton rounds. Try reusable rounds and muslin cloths that you can easily toss in with your laundry instead of creating more waste. (We love these organic bamboo rounds from Jenny Pantinkin because they feel super soft against our skin and are anti-microbial.) 3. Buy less products. We know how tempting it is to want to try every new buzzy product on Instagram (been there, bought that), but we’re making a concerted effort to only buy products we need and only buy them once they’re finished. 4. Switch to bar soaps. 2020 is the year of less bottles and more bars. Lately we’re seeing a return to the good ol’ soap bar over bottles of body wash. Better yet, there are now bars for everything—from shampoo to conditioner to shaving cream and even body moisturizer. 5. Look into recycling programs. Earlier this month, Nordstrom partnered up with TerraCycle to create an in-store depository program called BeautyCycle which allows customers to bring their used products into any Nordstrom store. Nordstrom then sends your empties to TerraCycle, where they are cleaned and separated into metals, glass and plastics, before being recycled or repurposed into new materials. Some other programs to check out are Back to MAC, which gives customers a free MAC lipstick for every six makeup containers returned, and Lush’s 5 Pot Program, which rewards customers with a free face mask after they bring back five empty, clean Lush pots. (Returned pots are sent back to their suppliers in Canada, where they regrind and remold the pots again and again.) Last but not least, Terracycle also has a longstanding program with Garnier that allows you to ship your used personal care and beauty products (for free!). Once received, these products are recycled and remade into other products—or in some cases, used to build eco-friendly playgrounds and gardens across the U.S.