Serum, blush, hair mask: when the time comes to get new beauty products, you always know where to go. But when they are finished, do we really know how to dispose of them? Each year, the cosmetic industry produces 120 billion packaging units, of which 2.7 billion plastic containers end up in landfills. "The complex design of beauty products makes them difficult to recycle," says Alex Payne, public relations manager for TerraCycle. This is why the environmental organization has been collaborating with many beauty brands - including L'Occitane en Provence, Burt's Bees, Weleda and DECIEM - for ten years to facilitate the recovery of these particular products, through various programs. collection. "Depending on the brand, consumers can send their cosmetics by post free of charge or go and wear them in stores," he explains. TerraCycle does the rest. Whether we go through this type of program or through its municipal recycling system, the goal of our consumption is to understand what is recycled (or not) and how we can get there. From the actions to adopt to reduce our environmental footprint to the list of companies that advocate a zero waste philosophy, there is indeed green at the end of the tunnel.

4 actions to adopt for an eco-responsible beauty routine

1. Look for zero waste products. From conditioner to facial scrub, more and more personal care is offered without packaging. 2. Small containers = perfect for the plane! Is our eye cream finished? We collect the jar and fill it with our favorite moisturizer on our next trip: it will fit perfectly in our hand luggage! 3. Avoid single-use products. Although practical, they are a real scourge for the environment. We swap our disposable makeup remover pads for a machine washable set. We leave the masks in individual format and choose the good old version in a jar (preferably in glass). 4. Favor large formats and bulk products. It is a gesture not only economical, but which considerably reduces our plastic consumption.

Recyclage 101: which product goes where?

These major lines are memorized to transform the once tedious recycling chore into child's play. Please note: the packaging of beauty products that cannot be recycled in our municipality can often be recycled through TerraCycle. We go to his site ( terracycle.com ) to get the correct time. Plastic bottles "All plastics are recyclable, except those on which the number 6 is stamped [figure found in a small triangle under the packaging] and on which there is nothing indicated", underlines Jean-François Lesage , planning advisor in the Direction of residual materials management of the City of Montreal. He reminded us that we have to clean our containers for hygienic reasons before sending them to sorting centers. Pumps and pipettes They do not recycle. So, if one of our products has one of these tips, we unscrew it and dispose of it before putting the container for recycling! Makeup As the cases of our cosmetics are often made of several materials that are difficult to separate from each other, they generally do not recycle. "Laminated tubes [a type of flexible plastic packaging often used for foundations and make-up bases] are also not accepted," says Jean-François Lesage. Mascara The tube, too difficult to clean, does not recycle. The brush is washed in soapy water and sent to the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge ( appalachianwild.org ), an organization in North Carolina that uses it to clean the fur of small, vulnerable animals. . Aerosols As a safety issue, they cannot be recycled through the usual municipal recycling system. "Aerosols and pressurized containers can explode if they are heated or punctured," says our expert. We do not despair! They are accepted in eco-centers and when collecting hazardous household waste. Makeup brushes Like makeup cases, brushes do not mix with recycling because of the range of materials that make them up (plastic, metal, bristles, etc.). Before saying goodbye to them, we probe our surroundings to find out if a friend might need them, or we give them a second life by adding them to the children's artist's kit or using them as nail brushes, for example! Glass containers "Glass is fully recyclable and can be repeatedly collected without ever affecting its quality," said Alex Payne of TerraCycle. It makes it one of the most eco-friendly materials. ” Warning! In the case of a perfume, we make sure to separate the bottle from its atomizer, since the latter does not recycle. Nail polish As the containers are almost impossible to clean, they cannot be recycled directly - they are part of the category of household hazardous waste (HHW). So we bring them to the ecocentre nearest to us. Cleansing wipes Unless they are biodegradable - we could then compost them - they take the garbage path.

"Pamper the next one"

If for various reasons (an impulse purchase, perhaps?) Unused products clutter our pharmacy, we turn to organizations for women in need. We think in particular of the Fairies Marraines ( feesmarraines.ca ), which give the necessary to the teenagers coming from underprivileged environments so that they can be beautiful for their prom, or The stuff of success ( dressforsuccessmontreal.org ), which supports women in difficult situations who wish to (re) enter the labor market.

An app to facilitate recycling

Last spring, the company RECYC-QUÉBEC launched the application C'est va Où? The objective: to clarify, according to our municipality, which products are intended for the trash, the recycling bin or the eco-center. The information remains summary, so if question marks persist, we complete our search on recyc-quebec.gouv.qc.ca. The article 4 gestures to adopt for a responsible beauty routine appeared first on Elle Quebec .

Serum, blush, hair mask: when the time comes to get new beauty products, you always know where to go. But when they are finished, do we really know how to dispose of them? Each year, the cosmetic industry produces 120 billion packaging units, of which 2.7 billion plastic containers end up in landfills. "The complex design of beauty products makes them difficult to recycle," says Alex Payne, public relations manager for TerraCycle. This is why the environmental organization has been collaborating with many beauty brands - including L'Occitane en Provence, Burt's Bees, Weleda and DECIEM - for ten years to facilitate the recovery of these particular products, through various programs. collection. "Depending on the brand, consumers can send their cosmetics by post free of charge or go and wear them in stores," he explains. TerraCycle does the rest. Whether we go through this type of program or through its municipal recycling system, the goal of our consumption is to understand what is recycled (or not) and how we can get there. From the actions to adopt to reduce our environmental footprint to the list of companies that advocate a zero waste philosophy, there is indeed green at the end of the tunnel.

4 actions to adopt for an eco-responsible beauty routine

1. Look for zero waste products. From conditioner to facial scrub, more and more personal care is offered without packaging. 2. Small containers = perfect for the plane! Is our eye cream finished? We collect the jar and fill it with our favorite moisturizer on our next trip: it will fit perfectly in our hand luggage! 3. Avoid single-use products. Although practical, they are a real scourge for the environment. We swap our disposable makeup remover pads for a machine washable set. We leave the masks in individual format and choose the good old version in a jar (preferably in glass). 4. Favor large formats and bulk products. It is a gesture not only economical, but which considerably reduces our plastic consumption.

Recyclage 101: which product goes where?

These major lines are memorized to transform the once tedious recycling chore into child's play. Please note: the packaging of beauty products that cannot be recycled in our municipality can often be recycled through TerraCycle. We go to his site ( terracycle.com ) to get the correct time. Plastic bottles "All plastics are recyclable, except those on which the number 6 is stamped [figure found in a small triangle under the packaging] and on which there is nothing indicated", underlines Jean-François Lesage , planning advisor in the Direction of residual materials management of the City of Montreal. He reminded us that we have to clean our containers for hygienic reasons before sending them to sorting centers. Pumps and pipettes They do not recycle. So, if one of our products has one of these tips, we unscrew it and dispose of it before putting the container for recycling! Makeup As the cases of our cosmetics are often made of several materials that are difficult to separate from each other, they generally do not recycle. "Laminated tubes [a type of flexible plastic packaging often used for foundations and make-up bases] are also not accepted," says Jean-François Lesage. Mascara The tube, too difficult to clean, does not recycle. The brush is washed in soapy water and sent to the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge ( appalachianwild.org ), an organization in North Carolina that uses it to clean the fur of small, vulnerable animals. . Aerosols As a safety issue, they cannot be recycled through the usual municipal recycling system. "Aerosols and pressurized containers can explode if they are heated or punctured," says our expert. We do not despair! They are accepted in eco-centers and when collecting hazardous household waste. Makeup brushes Like makeup cases, brushes do not mix with recycling because of the range of materials that make them up (plastic, metal, bristles, etc.). Before saying goodbye to them, we probe our surroundings to find out if a friend might need them, or we give them a second life by adding them to the children's artist's kit or using them as nail brushes, for example! Glass containers "Glass is fully recyclable and can be repeatedly collected without ever affecting its quality," said Alex Payne of TerraCycle. It makes it one of the most eco-friendly materials. ” Warning! In the case of a perfume, we make sure to separate the bottle from its atomizer, since the latter does not recycle. Nail polish As the containers are almost impossible to clean, they cannot be recycled directly - they are part of the category of household hazardous waste (HHW). So we bring them to the ecocentre nearest to us. Cleansing wipes Unless they are biodegradable - we could then compost them - they take the garbage path.

"Pamper the next one"

If for various reasons (an impulse purchase, perhaps?) Unused products clutter our pharmacy, we turn to organizations for women in need. We think in particular of the Fairies Marraines ( feesmarraines.ca ), which give the necessary to the teenagers coming from underprivileged environments so that they can be beautiful for their prom, or The stuff of success ( dressforsuccessmontreal.org ), which supports women in difficult situations who wish to (re) enter the labor market.

An app to facilitate recycling

Last spring, the company RECYC-QUÉBEC launched the application C'est va Où? The objective: to clarify, according to our municipality, which products are intended for the trash, the recycling bin or the eco-center. The information remains summary, so if question marks persist, we complete our search on recyc-quebec.gouv.qc.ca. The article 4 gestures to adopt for a responsible beauty routine appeared first on Elle Quebec .

EMPTY IT OUT

  As a rule of thumb, containers need to be rinsed and free of product before being recycled. Fragrances and products like nail varnish, polish remover and aftershave are considered hazardous waste and unsafe for recycling. “Anything that has product left in it should go back to a household hazardous waste depot, where they make sure the materials go in the right place,” says Nadine Kerr, manager of resource recovery for Solid Waste Management Services at the City of Toronto. “It can cause equipment breakdown and hazards for the people who are working at these facilities.” In particular, aerosol cans must be completely emptied and depressurized – failure to remove excess product can cause an explosion while the can is being processed. Waste processing varies between municipalities. In Toronto, the main guide for recycling protocol is the TOwaste app. Elsewhere, check with your local municipality.  

DON’T JUST HOPE FOR THE BEST

  Chucking your empties, even if they’re thoroughly rinsed, into the blue bin simply doesn’t cut it. “Aspirational recycling” refers to when “consumers aren’t sure if something’s recyclable or if it will get recycled because maybe it has some product in it, but they put it in anyway because they want to give it a chance,” says Michael Waas, global vice president of brand partnerships at TerraCycle. When not separated, mixed-component packaging – even if made up of entirely recyclable matter – can’t be processed by most municipal recycling streams. “The line will kick out [contaminated] products, and usually the products surrounding them, because they’re operating very quickly and with a huge volume,” says Waas. Facilities are ill-equipped to sort through the tiny components (think multi-part pumps and caps) found in cosmetic vessels and their packages. Coils and spiral bindings, such as the ones found in pump bottles, cannot be recycled by municipal recycling streams and belong in the trash.  

UNDERSTAND THE SIGNS

  The Mobius loop – an international recycling symbol – does not guarantee a product will be recycled through your city’s stream. However, the numbers within the loop indicate the type of plastic used in the product. “The good news is if you have a container that has a number five or one, that product is all made of a single resin,” says Kerr, and that means those products are easier to recycle. Look out for number seven plastics – they’re often made up of multiple resins, making them more difficult to recycle.  

NOT THE ANSWER

  On the surface, biodegradable plastics may seem like a miraculous solution to the waste crisis, but packaging made of polylactic acid (a common biodegradable plastic derived from corn) won’t decompose unless it’s processed at a high-efficiency composting facility. “Biodegradable packaging doesn’t add a lot of value to the compost, and, as a result, composters don’t really want it,” says Waas. “The only sustainable solution is designing single use [plastics] out of the equation.”  

BUY GREENER

  Use your purchasing power to put the onus on brands to streamline the recycling process. “Recycling is an economics challenge in that there is a technical recycling solution for absolutely every product and package,” says Waas. “The question is whether it makes economic sense for it to be recycled.” Most non-recyclable waste is considered as such because the cost to collect it exceeds the price for which the recovered material is sold. TerraCycle, the global recycling program behind Loop, has collection programs with brands like Caudalie, Weleda, Burt’s Bees and EOS, which are willing to absorb those costs. Return your brand-specific empties either by mail (free of charge) or in-store, and they will be remoulded into new products. If you aren’t brand-loyal, companies like L’Occitane, The Detox Market and Deciem have also partnered with TerraCycle and accept any product packaging at select locations.   This article originally appeared in the April 2020 issue of ELLE Canada.

With Global Recycling Day on 18 March, Robert Lockyer, CEO and Founder of luxury packaging provider Delta Global, argues that brands stuck between the rock of climate catastrophe and the hard place of reputational risk should embrace innovation to put recycling at the heart of their model.   We have all seen the staggering reports about plastic pollution of the oceans, with the latest estimates suggesting as many as 12.7 million tonnes are added annually to our seas. Looking at the fashion industry, the figures aren’t circulated as readily but they’re equally eye-watering – it is believed, for example, that over 39 million tonnes of textiles go into landfills each year.   There are signs, however, that some of the biggest names around are moving in an encouraging direction.   Sportswear leader Nike has recently created its space hippie sneaker line – vegan sneakers with the lowest carbon footprint of any shoe the brand has produced to date and made from recycled materials which would otherwise have ended up in a landfill.   Another global behemoth, beverage group Coca-Cola, has this year begun producing bottles from 100% recycled plastics, launching the initiative in Sweden with label messages encouraging customers to ‘recycle me again’.   As well as beauty leader L’Oreal has responded to the pushes and pulls towards greater sustainability and committed to purchasing 100% recycled PET resin for all its packaging needs.   In the world of fashion, there are also encouraging signs. The high street retailer Zara has committed to making all of its collections from 100% sustainable fabrics by the start of 2025. Zalando says its private label Zign will from now on be fully dedicated to sustainability, starting with a Spring/Summer 2020 collection of garments made with either 50% or more sustainable materials or a minimum of 20% recycled content.   And the sense of urgency was thrown into sharp relief when none other than legendary fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger suggested in a recent interview that “in two or three years if a brand is not sustainable, it will be out of business.”   So, it looks like things are moving in the right direction but the question remains – what kind of things could your business be doing to make a substantive difference? That is the subject of an ongoing discussion here at Delta Global. The truth is there are several things you can do but often they rest on your ability to apply a bit of creative thinking. We came up with a good initiative recently, when we partnered with MatchesFashion to overhaul its signature marble box completely and produce its Eco-Luxe box which is now 100% recyclable.   We developed a bespoke solution which used perforation points in the box to enable customers to remove the magnetic closures when they eventually decide to get rid of the box. The new model is made from FSC-certified materials with a water-based finish and detachable magnets. That means the boxes are 100% recyclable and reusable.   I believe people must see the opportunity in waste. For example, educating your supply chain using data and automation processes, you can reduce waste and disposal costs. But, by monitoring that waste production, you can also then monetise it and cleverly recycle waste into new packaging and even new clothing.   As another example, if you can reclaim paper cut-offs and recirculate them back into production, you can turn them into branded inserts or paper handles for a fraction of the cost. Why not do what The Hand Dyed Shoe Company does and create bespoke, luxury shoes out of scrap leather? Using sustainably sourced leather, the company creates unique and made-to-order items all whilst minimising its waste.   Of course, there are many plastics and waste which are not suitable for your household recycling bin, as they don’t have the correct symbol and your local council won’t accept them. And little extras like caps, pumps and plastic-coated cardboard make it difficult for you to recycle.   However, some people with bright ideas are bringing new solutions to market. TerraCycle, for example, will collect your hard-to-recycle waste – such as beauty and skincare containers – and then turn it into raw material for new products. TerraCycle has drop-off points around the UK and stores like L’Occitane and The Body Shop will also accept empty, clean and dry packaging from any brand and pass it on, often offering rewards to customers returning hard-to-recycle plastics.   The leading global platform for pre-owned luxury fashion, Vestiaire Collective, is striking up partnerships that will crucial to creating a cultural shift in the way we think about fashion. Recently, the group joined with luxury Italian jeweller Pomellato – under global leader Kering – in a three-month campaign that rewarded customers with a 10% off voucher for selling their pre-owned pieces on the resale platform. The designer described the initiative as ‘an opportunity to extend the lifespan of pre-loved Pomellato pieces and start a new love affair with this season’s collection.’   Rewarding customers in this way aims to instil subconscious sustainable behaviours in buyers but we also must teach shoppers about the systems on offer. Whether that’s take-back programmes, discounts on new purchases or even charitable donations to clean up our environment, there’s plenty that can be done.   With corporations finally coming under pressure both from governments and from growing consumer demand for eco-friendly alternatives, businesses should set realistic targets commensurate with their size and turnover in order to sustain our future. Brands need to dedicate themselves to a ‘recyclable’ revolution. This year, we’ve witnessed brands of all kinds implementing interesting initiatives in pursuit of the greater good.   Ground-breaking brands like Candiani Denim are even instigating change in industries that haven’t changed for decades. This year, for instance, they created a plant-based and bio-degradable alternative to the everyday pair of jeans.   From smaller acts that help clean up our environment, from local litter picks right through to newly designed packaging and fashion, we must intensify our efforts to source recyclable and biodegradable materials. But we must also do everything we can to make green thinking our default.   Nike, Coca-Cola, and L’Oreal are winners of the World Branding Awards. For more information about the World Branding Awards, click here.

We’ve all seen the staggering reports about plastic pollution of the oceans, with the latest estimates suggesting as many as 12.7 million tonnes are added annually to our seas.   Looking at the fashion industry, the figures aren’t circulated as readily but they’re equally eye-watering – it is believed, for example, that over 39 million tonnes of textiles go into landfills each year.   There are signs, however, that some of the biggest names around are moving in an encouraging direction.   Giants making waves   Sportswear leader Nike has recently created its Space Hippie sneaker line – vegan sneakers with the lowest carbon footprint of any shoe the brand has produced to date and made from recycled materials which would otherwise have ended up in landfill.   Another global behemoth, beverage group Coca-Cola, has this year begun producing bottles from 100% recycled plastics, launching the initiative in Sweden with label messages encouraging customers to ‘recycle me again’.   And the beauty leader L’Oreal has responded to the pushes and pulls towards greater sustainability and committed to purchasing 100% recycled PET resin for all its packaging needs.   Sustainable collections   In the world of fashion, there are also encouraging signs. The high street retailer Zara has comitted to making all of its collections from 100% sustainable fabrics by the start of 2025.   Zalando says its private label Zign will from now on be fully dedicated to sustainability, starting with a Spring/Summer 2020 collection of garments made with either 50% or more sustainable materials or a minimum of 20% recycled content.   And the sense of urgency was thrown into sharp relief when none other than legendary fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger suggested in a recent interview that “in two or three years, if a brand is not sustainable, it will be out of business.”   Material issue   So, it looks like things are moving in the right direction but the question remains – what kind of things could your business be doing to make a substantive difference?   That’s the subject of ongoing discussion here at Delta Global. The truth is there are several things you can do but often they rest on your ability to apply a bit of creative thinking.   We came up with a good initiative recently, when we partnered with MATCHESFASHION to overhaul its signature marble box completely and produce its Eco Luxe box which is now 100% recyclable.   We developed a bespoke solution which used perforation points in the box to enable customers to remove the magnetic closures when they eventually decide to get rid of the box.   The new model is made from FSC-certified materials with a water-based finish and detachable magnets. That means the boxes are 100% recyclable and reusable.   Recycling waste items into new products   I believe people must see the opportunity in waste. For example, educating your supply chain using data and automation processes, you can reduce waste and disposal costs.   But, by monitoring that waste production, you can also then monetise it and cleverly recycle waste into new packaging and even new clothing.   And, as another example, if you can reclaim paper cut-offs and recirculate them back into production, you can turn them into branded inserts or paper handles for a fraction of the cost.   Or why not do what The Hand Dyed Shoe Company does and create bespoke, luxury shoes out of scrap leather? Using sustainably sourced leather, the company creates unique and made-to-order items all while minimising its waste.   Partner with new recycling companies   Of course, there are many plastics and waste which are not suitable for your household recycling bin, as they don’t have the correct symbol and your local council won’t accept them. And little extras like caps, pumps and plastic-coated cardboard make it difficult for you to recycle.   But some people with bright ideas are bringing new solutions to market. TerraCycle, for example, will collect your hard-to-recycle waste – such as beauty and skincare containers – and then turn it into raw material for new products   TerraCyle has drop-off points around the UK and stores like L’Occitane and The Body Shop will also accept empty, clean and dry packaging from any brand and pass it on, often offering rewards to customers returning hard-to-recycle plastics.   If you can’t recycle, resell   The leading global platform for pre-owned luxury fashion, Vestiaire Collective, is striking up partnerships that will crucial to creating a cultural shift in the way we think about fashion.   Recently, the group joined with luxury Italian jewellers Pomellato – under global leader Kering – in a three-month campaign that rewarded customers with a 10% off voucher for selling their pre-owned pieces on the resale platform.   The designer described the initiative as ‘an opportunity to extend the lifespan of pre-loved Pomellato pieces and start a new love affair with this season’s collection.’   Rewarding customers in this way aims to instil subconscious sustainable behaviours in buyers but we also must teach shoppers about the systems on offer. Whether that’s take-back programmes, discounts on new purchases or even charitable donations to clean up our environment, there’s plenty that can be done.   The future of recycling   With corporations finally coming under pressure both from governments and from growing consumer demand for eco-friendly alternatives, businesses should set realistic targets commensurate with their size and turnover in order to sustain our future.   Brands need to dedicate themselves to a ‘recyclable’ revolution. This year, we’ve witnessed brands of all kinds implementing interesting initiatives in pursuit of the greater good.   And ground-breaking brands like Candiani Denim are even instigating change in industries that haven’t changed for decades. This year, for instance, they created a plant-based and bio-degradable alternative to the everyday pair of jeans.   From smaller acts that help clean up our environment, from local litter picks right through to newly designed packaging and fashion, we must intensify our efforts to source recyclable and biodegradable materials.   But we must also do everything we can to make green thinking our default.

We’ve all seen the staggering reports about plastic pollution of the oceans, with the latest estimates suggesting as many as 12.7 million tonnes are added annually to our seas.   Looking at the fashion industry, the figures aren’t circulated as readily but they’re equally eye-watering – it is believed, for example, that over 39 million tonnes of textiles go into landfills each year.   There are signs, however, that some of the biggest names around are moving in an encouraging direction.   Giants making waves   Sportswear leader Nike has recently created its Space Hippie sneaker line – vegan sneakers with the lowest carbon footprint of any shoe the brand has produced to date and made from recycled materials which would otherwise have ended up in landfill.   Another global behemoth, beverage group Coca-Cola, has this year begun producing bottles from 100% recycled plastics, launching the initiative in Sweden with label messages encouraging customers to ‘recycle me again’.   And the beauty leader L’Oreal has responded to the pushes and pulls towards greater sustainability and committed to purchasing 100% recycled PET resin for all its packaging needs.   Sustainable collections   In the world of fashion, there are also encouraging signs. The high street retailer Zara has comitted to making all of its collections from 100% sustainable fabrics by the start of 2025.   Zalando says its private label Zign will from now on be fully dedicated to sustainability, starting with a Spring/Summer 2020 collection of garments made with either 50% or more sustainable materials or a minimum of 20% recycled content.   And the sense of urgency was thrown into sharp relief when none other than legendary fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger suggested in a recent interview that “in two or three years, if a brand is not sustainable, it will be out of business.”   Material issue   So, it looks like things are moving in the right direction but the question remains – what kind of things could your business be doing to make a substantive difference?   That’s the subject of ongoing discussion here at Delta Global. The truth is there are several things you can do but often they rest on your ability to apply a bit of creative thinking.   We came up with a good initiative recently, when we partnered with MATCHESFASHION to overhaul its signature marble box completely and produce its Eco Luxe box which is now 100% recyclable.   We developed a bespoke solution which used perforation points in the box to enable customers to remove the magnetic closures when they eventually decide to get rid of the box.   The new model is made from FSC-certified materials with a water-based finish and detachable magnets. That means the boxes are 100% recyclable and reusable.   Recycling waste items into new products   I believe people must see the opportunity in waste. For example, educating your supply chain using data and automation processes, you can reduce waste and disposal costs.   But, by monitoring that waste production, you can also then monetise it and cleverly recycle waste into new packaging and even new clothing.   And, as another example, if you can reclaim paper cut-offs and recirculate them back into production, you can turn them into branded inserts or paper handles for a fraction of the cost.   Or why not do what The Hand Dyed Shoe Company does and create bespoke, luxury shoes out of scrap leather? Using sustainably sourced leather, the company creates unique and made-to-order items all while minimising its waste.   Partner with new recycling companies   Of course, there are many plastics and waste which are not suitable for your household recycling bin, as they don’t have the correct symbol and your local council won’t accept them. And little extras like caps, pumps and plastic-coated cardboard make it difficult for you to recycle.   But some people with bright ideas are bringing new solutions to market. TerraCycle, for example, will collect your hard-to-recycle waste – such as beauty and skincare containers – and then turn it into raw material for new products   TerraCyle has drop-off points around the UK and stores like L’Occitane and The Body Shop will also accept empty, clean and dry packaging from any brand and pass it on, often offering rewards to customers returning hard-to-recycle plastics.   If you can’t recycle, resell   The leading global platform for pre-owned luxury fashion, Vestiaire Collective, is striking up partnerships that will crucial to creating a cultural shift in the way we think about fashion.   Recently, the group joined with luxury Italian jewellers Pomellato – under global leader Kering – in a three-month campaign that rewarded customers with a 10% off voucher for selling their pre-owned pieces on the resale platform.   The designer described the initiative as ‘an opportunity to extend the lifespan of pre-loved Pomellato pieces and start a new love affair with this season’s collection.’   Rewarding customers in this way aims to instil subconscious sustainable behaviours in buyers but we also must teach shoppers about the systems on offer. Whether that’s take-back programmes, discounts on new purchases or even charitable donations to clean up our environment, there’s plenty that can be done.   The future of recycling   With corporations finally coming under pressure both from governments and from growing consumer demand for eco-friendly alternatives, businesses should set realistic targets commensurate with their size and turnover in order to sustain our future.   Brands need to dedicate themselves to a ‘recyclable’ revolution. This year, we’ve witnessed brands of all kinds implementing interesting initiatives in pursuit of the greater good.   And ground-breaking brands like Candiani Denim are even instigating change in industries that haven’t changed for decades. This year, for instance, they created a plant-based and bio-degradable alternative to the everyday pair of jeans.   From smaller acts that help clean up our environment, from local litter picks right through to newly designed packaging and fashion, we must intensify our efforts to source recyclable and biodegradable materials.   But we must also do everything we can to make green thinking our default.

Find The Perfect Gift For Mother’s Day With L’OCCITANE   With Mother’s Day just around the corner,  it’s time to start thinking about the perfect gift for the most important woman in your life.   Whether you’re choosing something for you mum, grandmother or helping your kids pick a gift for your other half, L’OCCITANE is here to help.     From fresh scents to bath sets, pillow mists, relaxing candles and beauty products, there’s plenty to put her at ease, and offer an evening of utter relaxation and bliss.   Check out some of our favourite gift sets, available in stores and online now:  

Overnight Reset Collection

  This beautiful beauty set contains four products from the Immortelle range, bringing the skin back to life and giving it some much needed and well-deserved TLC.   The collection includes the Immortelle Cleansing Oil 30ml, Immortelle Reset Serum 30ml, Immortelle Precious Cream 8ml and the Immortelle Essentail Water 30ml.   The set, which is worth €78, is currently priced at €62.  

Indulgent Almond Collection

  When you’re running around after little ones all day long, moments to relax in the bath and shower are rare. Treat your mum, and allow her to make the most of this time with L’OCCITANE’s gorgeous Indulgent Almond Collection.   The set contains Almond Shower Oil 250ml, Almost Delightful Body Balm 100ml, Almond Soap 50g and Almond Delicious Hands 30ml.  

HERBAE par L’OCCITANE L’EAU Collection

  Filled with rich floral scents, the HERBAE par L’OCCITANE L’EAU Collection would be an ideal gift for anyone – not just a mum.   Containing the HERBAE par L’OCCITANE L’EAU perfume 50ml, hand cream 30ml and shower gel 250ml, this wonderful present will be used time and time again.   The collection, worth €88, is currently priced at €60.  

Relaxing Home Collection

  There’s nothing better than lighting a candle, sitting on the couch and allowing all your troubles float away.   This Mother’s Day, why not treat your mum or grandmother to the Relaxing Home Collection.   The set contains a Relaxing Pillow Mist 100ml, Relaxing Candle 140g and a Relaxing Soap, for €52.     As well as the bigger gift sets, you can also pick up some wonderful individual pieces for your mum.   L’OCCITANE has a full range of gifts that give back, meaning not only will you find a wonderful present for your loved one, but it won’t be as damaging to the environment as some others.   The soaps available in L’OCCITANE are all palm oil free, and come wrapped in recycled paper.   The HERBAE L’EAU Soap is €6.50.   With L’OCCITANE, instead of constantly buying brand new products and having a package build up, you can simply refill her favourite products with an eco-refill pack.   Available in 16 different lines across skincare, body care and hair care, the eco-refills use up to 98% less packaging than its counterpart.   The Almond Shower Oil Refill Duo costs €45.   A recent launch for L’OCCITANE, the Solidarity Balm is perfect to use on lips, skin and dry skin to offer instant nourishment.   100 percent of the profits from this product, will go to Women’s Leadership initiatives in Burkina Faso with the support of the L’OCCITANE Foundation.     Plus, did you know, if you return any empty products to a L’OCCITANE store to be recycled with TerraCycle, you’ll receive 10% off a full-priced product that day.   Happy shopping!

When did we get so fixated on having our soap dispensed to us in liquid form? Yes, it has a luxurious feel compared to a utilitarian bar of or soap and makes less of a mess of your washbasin. But the packaging – for the most part, made of plastic – comes with an environmental cost. It's particularly on our minds right now as soap sales have soared with all the handwashing that we're doing. One brand, Dani Naturals, has reported a spike of 700 per cent in sales in just one week.   Thankfully, we’re learning to love soap bars again – and even embrace shampoo bars. However, for those of us wedded to liquids, there are now more soaps, shampoos and even self-tans available in less impactful ways – via refill pouches and ‘forever’ bottles.   The refillables model works best with items that we use lots of – such as soap and shampoo and that can be easily topped up. It's not so simple for smaller skincare items such as serums, where meticulous cleaning of the bottle would be important so that remnants from your old batch don't contaminate your new one. Skincare brands are for the most part opting for recycled and recyclable packaging for that reason.   However, that could be set to change with TerraCycle’s Loop refill scheme – already available in Paris and parts of the US and set to launch in the UK this year, 2020. It is partnering with brands such as Ren and Nivea to collect your skincare and other domestic item empties from your door, clean them hygienically and give them back to you full.       Refill bars in stores and salons are becoming more common too. At Boots Concept Store in London's Covent Garden, Beauty Kitchen's refill bar encourages you to buy an aluminium 'bottle for life' and (re)fill it with face wash, shampoo, conditioner or body wash. Around the corner at Cara Delevingne's hairdresser Windle London, you receive 30 per cent off if you bring your shampoo and conditioner bottles in to be topped up. While over at Bleach London, bring in your refillable 500ml Pearlescent Shampoo or Conditioner bottle to one of their salons and save £4 on the full price of £14. Faith In Nature shampoos, body washes and conditioners are not only great value (mostly less than a fiver) they are widely refillable in independent health stores around the country.   If you want to minimize your environmental footprint, here are the brands that are leading the charge for refillables – allowing you to save on packaging and on price.       L'Occitane has been doing eco refills since 2008 and this is a chance to buy a raved-about premium skincare product at knock-down price. It's part of L’Occitane’s anti-ageing L’Imortelle range, it gets off every scrap of makeup and smells divine. The refill pouch offers is a significant saving on the original packaging (£22 for 150ml) but you do have to buy the plastic pot once as you need the foaming action of the nozzle to enjoy the product in all its lathery glory.   L’Occitane is committed to recycling and has partnered with recycling organisation TerraCycle to provide recycling station for beauty empties from any brand in its boutiques nationwide. They’ll give you 10 per cent off full-price L’Occitane purchases on the day if you do.     Just launched in the UK, this Australian brand claims to be the first tanning brand to use refill packs. They use 83 per cent less plastic than the original plastic bottle, which you will need to buy once (£15.95 for 200ml) as it's the nozzle that creates the foaming action. What’s great about these new eco brands is that they are setting themselves up from the get-go to be as sustainable as possible in every part of their supply chain. Australian glow uses Ocean Waster Plastic (OWP – you’ll see that label more and more) and each bottle is the equivalent of eight plastic bags removed from the ocean. Ingredients are vegan, cruelty-free and organic, natural nock-sticky and the smell is subtle. The one-hours express tans come in Dark and Extra dark and are for ‘experienced tanners’ (although I’m quite cack-handed and I didn’t have problems) and there’s also a medium which works in four to six hours but doesn’t (yet) have a refill.       For budget eco washing (yourself and your clothes) Faith In Nature can’t be beaten – they’ve been going since 1974 when being eco was considered hippy and fringe. The British brand is passionate about keeping prices affordable so everyone can benefit from their no-nasties approach (they are SLS, SLES and paraben-free). They do an impressive array of soap bars and shampoo bars as well as shampoos, conditioners, body washes and even laundry liquid in 5l bumper refill sizes for around £50 (Holland and Barrett have a £37.50 offer on that the moment on some of them). They come in gorgeous natural botanical scents and there's a fragrance-free body wash too. Pretty much everything comes in a generous 400ml refillable bottle (recycled plastic where possible) and costs less than a fiver.         Now £44 may sound steep for a shampoo, but New York Salon Hairstory want to eliminate the need to buy a shampoo and conditioner separately with one serves-all product. The innovative New Wash comes in three forms: Original, Deep (for oily hair) and Extra Conditioning. It’s free from sulphates, silicones and synthetic fragrance and doesn’t strip the scalp’s protective barrier. This allows you to go longer between washes because your scalp doesn’t overproduce the natural oils that traditional shampooing can strip - so you buy less. Join the New Wash subscription club and they will send you a free aluminium bottle and save you money on regular purchases.       This British sustainable, artisan no-nasties brand has opted for cans instead of pouches as their refill of choice. The rationale? Aluminium has an infinite life as a recyclable - 75 per cent of all aluminium produced is recycled still in use today says Recycle Now. Plastic, on the other hand, can only be recycled two to three times before its quality decreases too much, according to National Geographic. It takes 95 per cent less energy to make a can from recycled materials, says Kan Kan, plus they are light, recyclable everywhere and don't have tricky-to-dispose-of lids.   With the Kan Kan model, you buy the one-time 'forever' bottle, it arrives in cardboard packaging (which you can send back for them to use again, via the returns label), they plant a tree to thank you for your purchase and everyone’s happy. They do three types of wash, Body, Baby and Hand (all £15) and the starter sets – an empty bottle plus one can are £24. Yes, it’s a lot for soap but you are supporting a brand that really wants to change the packaging game.     L’Occitane has an impressive selection of supersize bath, shower and handwash refill pouches ranging from hand soaps - £18 for a large 500ml of Lavender Hand Wash - to a Lavender Foaming Bath Duo for 44.50, which gives you a whole litre of product as 500ml aluminium ‘forever’ bottle and a same-size refill. The pouches use 98 per cent less plastic. I particularly love the Almond Shower Oil Refill Duo. The Almond Oil Shower Refill by itself costs £28 for 500ml.   Buy it now   Got any eco beauty and wellness recommendations we should know about? Let us know in the comments below.

We’ve all heard “don’t judge a book by it’s cover,” but what about beauty products? Beauty is an $8.1 billion global industry and with it comes a lot of plastic and packaging. Shower products, soaps, skincare bottles, sheet masks, makeup remover cotton pads-it all adds up in our trash to be, well, trash!   Some consumers and advocates have started pushing against big brands when it comes to packaging and other waste. The Instagram account Estee Laundry has called out repeat offenders such as Pat McGrath Labs who includes handfuls of gold sequins in her packaging. Sequins are not recyclable and take hundreds of years to break down in a landfill.   Another repeat offender is Sephora, who will send a small lipstick or a single eyeshadow in a comically large box filled with bubble wrap. Some customers send complaints in the comments section of Sephora’s Instagram or through other channels such as online products reviews.   It is heartwarming that some consumers have started to push back against brands. But the tides haven’t turned to really impact the industry in a meaningful way.  But before you start feeling too guilty, know that major corporations contribute much more to global waste than individuals. You still may feel like being a part of the solution, rather than the problem. Fear not! You can have some control over your consumption. Here are some tips for becoming a more conscious beauty consumer in 2020.   Switch to Reusable Cotton Makeup Remover Pads In theory, single use cotton pads are great for the environment. They’re natural and should break down in the compost. But your makeup is definitely not compostable. Once you use your cotton pad, it has to go into the trash. But you can make the switch reusable cotton pads like these ones by Freon Collective. Made by hand in downtown Toronto, these reusable cotton pads come with a mesh bag where you can put your used ones. Throw them in the washing machine, lay flat to dry and they’re as good as new!   Shop Package Free or Refillable Products Products with no packaging? It seems sacrilegious! But you often don’t need fancy frills. Lush Cosmetics  is mostly package free. Customers pop their bath bombs and slices of soap into brown paper bags. You can also check out stores that offer product refills. Rather than buying a new bottle when the product runs out, refill it at your local store! Eco+Armour is a Canadian company that partners with stores in Ontario and New Brunswick. They offer refillable beauty products such as hand soap soap, laundry detergent, lotion and bath salts. If you’re on the west coast, The Soap Dispensary has a wide range of refill categories including clays, oils, hair products and hydrosols. This is a great way to reduce your consumption and get to know a local business.   Try A Menstrual Cup Menstrual care is an essential part of being human but can really feel like a burdensome chore. Similarly, soap is essential to our hygiene but is in many ways thought of as a beauty product. So too is menstrual care. Basic hygiene is a chore that has been made more fun through packaging and targeted advertising. Let’s get real, brushing your teeth as a kid was basically fluoride flavoured icing for toothpaste! While it is a chore, menstruation is becoming less and less taboo and more openly discussed, which is absolutely beautiful. So I have decided it falls under beauty care and here we are!   If you’re a person who menstruates, you will use approximately 9,600 tampons throughout your lifetime. Menstrual cups are a great alternative. Menstrual cups like the Divacup are made from medical grade silicon and can be used for a year before needing to be replaced. That will save you a lot of money on tampons and pads. It’ll also save you last minute trips to the store when you, surprise, surprise, forgot to stock up on tampons since your last cycle. Unlike tampons, there are no added chemicals, which removes the risk of toxic shock syndrome and can be worn inside the body for 12 hours. I honestly cannot rave about menstrual cups enough and it was such a glorious switch for me. Try it out and see if it works for you!   Recycle Your Packages in Store Recycling facilities differ in every city and they do not all accept beauty packaging. However, some brands are beginning to recognize the consumer desire to properly recycle packaging and are making a greater effort and they reward customers with perks. MAC Cosmetics has long had their “Back to MAC” program where customers can bring six empty MAC products to a store in exchange for a single free lipstick or eyeshadow. MAC will then properly recycle the empty packages. L’Occitane has partnered with TerraCycle where customers receive 10% one product when they bring back their accepted empty packaging. Toronto spa Pure+Simple credits customers one dollar when they bring in their empty Pure+Simple branded skincare products. That may not seem like a lot, but it really adds up when you’re drowning your skin in vitamin c serum, face masks and hydrosols. You may be surprised to hear the brands you shop already offer a program. Check it out and get your rewards-literally!   There are many ways we can impact the beauty industry to turn the tides towards sustainability. We can also try to take back some power by shifting our own practices. Share any changes you’ve made in your beauty routine!

With Mother’s Day just around the corner,  it’s time to start thinking about the perfect gift for the most important woman in your life.   Whether you’re choosing something for you mum, grandmother or helping your kids pick a gift for your other half, L’OCCITANE is here to help.     From fresh scents to bath sets, pillow mists, relaxing candles and beauty products, there’s plenty to put her at ease, and offer an evening of utter relaxation and bliss.   Check out some of our favourite gift sets, available in stores and online now:  

Overnight Reset Collection

  This beautiful beauty set contains four products from the Immortelle range, bringing the skin back to life and giving it some much needed and well-deserved TLC.   The collection includes the Immortelle Cleansing Oil 30ml, Immortelle Reset Serum 30ml, Immortelle Precious Cream 8ml and the Immortelle Essentail Water 30ml.   The set, which is worth €78, is currently priced at €62.  

Indulgent Almond Collection

  When you’re running around after little ones all day long, moments to relax in the bath and shower are rare. Treat your mum, and allow her to make the most of this time with L’OCCITANE’s gorgeous Indulgent Almond Collection.   The set contains Almond Shower Oil 250ml, Almost Delightful Body Balm 100ml, Almond Soap 50g and Almond Delicious Hands 30ml.  

HERBAE par L’OCCITANE L’EAU Collection

  Filled with rich floral scents, the HERBAE par L’OCCITANE L’EAU Collection would be an ideal gift for anyone – not just a mum.   Containing the HERBAE par L’OCCITANE L’EAU perfume 50ml, hand cream 30ml and shower gel 250ml, this wonderful present will be used time and time again.   The collection, worth €88, is currently priced at €60.  

Relaxing Home Collection

  There’s nothing better than lighting a candle, sitting on the couch and allowing all your troubles float away.   This Mother’s Day, why not treat your mum or grandmother to the Relaxing Home Collection.   The set contains a Relaxing Pillow Mist 100ml, Relaxing Candle 140g and a Relaxing Soap, for €52.     As well as the bigger gift sets, you can also pick up some wonderful individual pieces for your mum.   L’OCCITANE has a full range of gifts that give back, meaning not only will you find a wonderful present for your loved one, but it won’t be as damaging to the environment as some others.   The soaps available in L’OCCITANE are all palm oil free, and come wrapped in recycled paper.   The HERBAE L’EAU Soap is €6.50.   With L’OCCITANE, instead of constantly buying brand new products and having a package build up, you can simply refill her favourite products with an eco-refill pack.   Available in 16 different lines across skincare, body care and hair care, the eco-refills use up to 98% less packaging than its counterpart.   The Almond Shower Oil Refill Duo costs €45.   A recent launch for L’OCCITANE, the Solidarity Balm is perfect to use on lips, skin and dry skin to offer instant nourishment.   100 percent of the profits from this product, will go to Women’s Leadership initiatives in Burkina Faso with the support of the L’OCCITANE Foundation.     Plus, did you know, if you return any empty products to a L’OCCITANE store to be recycled with TerraCycle, you’ll receive 10% off a full-priced product that day.   Happy shopping!