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ELIMINATING THE IDEA OF WASTE®

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Recycling Beauty Products Is Notoriously Difficult: Nordstrom & TerraCycle Are Making It Easier

Recycling beauty products is a challenge, no matter how diligent you try and be. Due to the often intricate nature of bottles (metal springs in pumps, for example), the complications with colored- or darkened-glass, the plethora of plastic, formulas (like nail polish) that simply can't be recycled after use, embedded mirrors, and so on, even if you try your best, what you toss in the recycling bin likely still will end up in the landfill. It's, by all accounts, not a great situation for green beauty lovers. In fact, it's downright disappointing. The issue is there aren't great alternatives: Credo has a recycling program, and many individual brands have started doing refill initiatives in store or online. But this is only a small dent in the bigger picture. There are simply so many beauty products on the market and the fact is most of them can't be properly recycled.

Nordstrom will now take back and recycle your empty beauty packaging

As major retail players continue to navigate the ever-changing 2020 landscape, attempting to set themselves apart to consumers still proves to be a challenge. For Nordstrom, a brand that has reinvigorated itself in the better half of the last decade — with a fresh, editorial merchandising perspective and socially conscious initiatives — joining its costumers, and the world, on a push for environmental responsibility is its newest frontier. On Thursday, October 1, Nordstrom announced the launch of BEAUTYCYCLE, a new in-store beauty recycling program with global leader in the space, TerraCycle. The program, effective immediately, makes Nordstrom the first brand-agnostic beauty take-back and recycling program at any major retailer. Through BEAUTYCYCLE, customers can bring their empty beauty products to any Nordstrom or Nordstrom Local — regardless of brand or purchase location — to be recycled using boxes available in the beauty department. The retailer will then send the products to TerraCycle, where they will be cleaned and separated into metals, glass and plastics, and distributed for repurposing (think plastics into new park benches, metals into nuts and bolts). The program comes as Nordstrom set the remainder of its 2025 corporate social responsibility goals around environmental sustainability, where its team decided on three key impact areas of focus, including climate change, environmental impact of our products and services, and circularity. Through these goals, Nordstrom is committed to taking back 100 tons of beauty packaging to be recycled by 2025.

TerraCycle & Nordstrom To Partner on Beauty Recycling Program: Recycle Beauty Packaging at Participating Nordstrom Locations

International recycling leader TerraCycle, today announced a new partnership with leading fashion retailer Nordstrom, to help divert hard-to-recycle beauty packaging waste from landfills through the Nordstrom BEAUTYCYCLE recycling program. With less than 2 percent of the 120 billion plastic packaging units produced annually by the beauty industry being recycled, Nordstrom and TerraCycle are teaming up to intercept and property recycle these hard-to-recycle items and ensure that they will never be landfilled, littered or incinerated.   Beginning October 1, customers are invited to bring any brand of beauty packaging waste to the beauty department at participating Nordstrom locations and dispose of them in the provided TerraCycle® Zero Waste Boxes™. When full, the boxes will be returned to TerraCycle for processing and the collected waste will be cleaned, melted and remolded to make new products.   Participation in the Nordstrom BEAUTYCYCLE recycling program is completely free and is open to anyone. Using the interactive map found on the recycling program’s dedicated landing page at www.terracycle.com/nordstrom consumers can find the closest participating Nordstrom location where they can bring their empty beauty products to be recycled.   “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,” said Tom Szaky, Founder and CEO of TerraCycle. “Nordstrom not only shares our commitment but has taken it to the next level by spearheading the Nordstrom BEAUTYCYCLE recycling program to reduce the impact of beauty packaging waste on the environment and help pave the way for a greener future.”   TerraCycle works with major manufacturers and retailers to recycle products and packaging that would normally be thrown away. To learn more about TerraCycle and its innovative recycling solutions, visit www.terracycle.com.
ABOUT US
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.

Nordstrom Launches In-Store Beauty Packaging Recycling Program

Nordstrom customers can now recycle all brands of beauty packaging in-store. For this initiative, the retailer partnered with TerraCycle and Beautycycle, the first beauty take-back and recycling program accepting all brands of beauty packaging at a major retailer. Customers can now bring in their empty beauty product packaging to be recycled at any of Nordstrom’s full-line stores or Nordstrom Local service hubs in the continental United States. Through this program, Nordstrom aims to take back 100 tons of hard-to-recycle beauty packaging by 2025 to ensure it’s recycled. According to Nordstrom, many municipal recycling centers do not accept beauty materials and packaging, as they often contain a mix of materials that are not locally recyclable.

How it works

  • Customers can bring their empty beauty products to any Nordstrom or Nordstrom Local to be recycled. Beautycycle boxes will be available in the beauty department.
  • Nordstrom will send the content of these boxes to TerraCycle where they are cleaned and separated into metals, glass, and plastics.
  • Those materials are then recycled based on the material composition. For example, plastics are recycled into a wide range of new products including park benches and picnic tables, while metals are reused as base materials for stamped product applications like nuts, bolts, washers, and rings.

What items can be recycled?

Customers can bring empty cosmetic, haircare or skincare packaging regardless of brand or purchase location. This includes:
  • Shampoo and conditioner bottles and caps
  • Hair gel tubes and caps
  • Hair spray bottles and triggers
  • Hair paste plastic jars and caps
  • Lip balm tubes
  • Face soap dispensers and tubes
  • Lotion bottles, tubes, dispensers, and jars
  • Shaving foam tubes (no cans)
  • Lip gloss tubes
  • Mascara tubes
  • Eye liner pencils and cases
  • Eye shadow and tubes
  • Concealer tubes and sticks

Nordstrom Will Now Take Empty Beauty Product Packaging

Nordstrom says it is the first major retailer to launch a beauty packaging recycling program
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Image Credit:
Photo Courtesy of Wand_Prapan/iStock
Ever wonder how to dispose of all those pouches and bottles that come with cosmetics? Well, Nordstrom has just launched a recycling program for hard-to-recycle beauty packaging. Called "Beautycycle," the service launched Oct. 1. The Seattle-based retailer, which has partnered with recycling management company TerraCycle, says only 9% of the 120 billion units of plastic packaging produced by the beauty industry annually gets recycled. Customers can recycle their beauty product packaging of any brand by bringing them to any full-line Nordstrom store in the country, as well as Nordstrom local service hubs. Beautycycle aims to take in 100 tons of beauty packaging by 2025. The program also aims to reduce use of single-use plastic by 50% and make 15% of all products sold considered sustainable. "We understand our customers care about sustainability, and we want to help them move toward a zero-waste beauty routine so they can look great and do good at the same time," says Gemma Lionello, Nordstrom's executive vice president and general merchandise manager of accessories and beauty. Nordstrom says it is the first major retailer to offer such a service.

Nordstrom Will Now Take Back and Recycle Your Empty Beauty Packaging

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Nordstrom will recycle your empty beauty products, regardless of where you bought them.
The retailer will recycle your empty beauty products, regardless of where you bought them. On Thursday, October 1,Nordstrom announced the launch of BEAUTYCYCLE, a new in-store beauty recycling program with global leader in the space, TerraCycle. The program, effective immediately, makes Nordstrom the first brand-agnostic beauty take-back and recycling program at any major retailer. Through BEAUTYCYCLE, customers can bring their empty beauty products to any Nordstrom or Nordstrom Local — regardless of brand or purchase location — to be recycled using boxes available in the beauty department. The retailer will then send the products to TerraCycle, where they will be cleaned and separated into metals, glass and plastics, and distributed for repurposing (think plastics into new park benches, metals into nuts and bolts). The program comes as Nordstrom set the remainder of its 2025 corporate social responsibility goals around environmental sustainability, where its team decided on three key impact areas of focus, including climate change, environmental impact of our products and services, and circularity. Through these goals, Nordstrom is committed to taking back 100 tons of beauty packaging to be recycled by 2025. "Nordstrom leads with the fundamental belief that we have a responsibility to leave the world better than we found it," Gemma Lionello, Executive Vice President, general merchandise manager for accessories and beauty at Nordstrom, shared with NYLONover email. "Customers increasingly feel the same and look to us to be a responsible company that plays an active role in protecting the environment."For more details, see the brand's full BEAUTYCYCLE launch announcement, below.

Fashion News Roundup: September 2020

Lots of news from the beauty industry, a new footwear collection, and more fashion news that made headlines in September.

FUN FASHION TRICK

Did you know that you can avoid static cling with a safety pin? If you place it on the inner hem of your garment, it will dispel the charge, and leave you cling-free.

FRIDAY’S SIMPLY SMITTEN

image.png “The soul has been given its own ears to hear things the mind does not understand.” -Rumi Happy Friday!! Thank goodness it’s the weekend. I am looking forward to moments of destressing and relaxation, enjoying the crisp fall weather. As much as I love summer, there is something about the fall season that brings new hope and adventure.Fall has always felt like a new beginning. Maybe it stems from the start of school; new grade, new classes, etc. Maybe it’s the changing of the leaves and nature. Whatever the reason, fall has always brought a newfound optimism, that something wonderful is about to happen to me. And it usually does; change of apartments, new romances, growth in business, a new niece (in a month!!), etc. Whatever wonderful thing that this fall seasons brings into my life, I am ready for it! This past week was filled with ups and downs. We all watched the dumpster fire of a Presidental debate Tuesday evening. I immediately saged my apartment afterward. I had to get rid of the negativity ASAP! You know that meme of Ben Affleck smoking a cigarette outside looking completely disheveled and stressed? That is how I felt. I said to myself: I need a cigarette right now… and I do not smoke, at all. It was that stressful. But I do not need to tell you, you watched it and felt the same way. I know the media is calling to end the debates, but I think that is a terrible idea. More than ever we need to hear these two candidates stance on policies and a clear layout of their plans. I feel there are so many people who are not voting by party but by the candidate this year, so hearing from them is important. I encourage you to really do your research on each topic and VOTE! This isn’t the year to sit this one out. Even if you do not like either candidate, please do not sit this one out. VOTE VOTE VOTE!! Besides looking up how to obtain citizenship in London, this past week was busy. Monday I had a doctor’s appointment; regular check-up and got a flu shot. I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be going to my first in-house doctor’s appotinemnt since the pandemic started. Maybe because by now we are all so used to protocols. And it is a doctors office, knowing they know more about COVID and what to do than anyone else, helped elevate any hesitation. Also this week I had a webinar with RewardStyle. They talked about upcoming holiday strategies amongst current affairs. Since the holidays will be so different this year, I am rethinking my usualy holiday content. Maybe do less holiday styles and more gift guides. I am not sure what route I want to do. To start my day and the weekend off on the right note, I participated in Carbon38′s dance class this morning with my friend, Lindsay Howe. It was a fun, quick 30 minute IG Live cardio dance class. I have been working out in the afternoons since the pandemic started, so it was a nice change to wake up early and sweat. What I am watching: I caved and started watching Dancing With The Stars. I made a big huff and puff about them firing Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews and vowed to boycott it. But I am weak. The glitter costumes and salsa hips pulled me back in. I am glad that I decided to watch it again this year, as it is one of my favorite shows. It brings a lot of joy and I look forward to it each week– even if I have to fast forward through Tyra Banks. I’ve never been a fan of hers. This year’s contestants are really good– they are donig an amazing job for it being the 3rd week. Catfish creator, Nev Schulman, is by far the best one. I am very impressed by his elegance, strength, and ability to catch on quickly. He looks as if he is a trained dancer! If Nev doesn’t win I am rooting for AJ McLean or Johnny Weir to win. All 3 men are the best, so far. Another show I started watching is Hart of Dixie with Rachel Bilson, Jamie King, and the guy who played Jason in Friday Night Lights (the show). Anyway, I ran out of things to binge-watch and a few people had recommended the show to me. It’s been off air since 2015. I remember it while it was on The CW but never really interested me. But I was looking for a light-hearted, entertaining show and so I gave it a go. I really enjoy it! I don’t know if it would have kept my interest back in the day when it aired in 2011, waiting each week for a new episode, but I am enjoying binge-watching episode after episode. There are a lot of love-triangles, which I can’t make my mind up on who I want to end up with who (Please no spoilers!). I also love the small town, care for your neighbor, type story. It seems we all need a lessen in that these days. What I bought: Tuckernuck was having a major sale earlier this week. I bought this dress to work from home in. I bought it in an x-small, it is loose fitted. However, I may have to exchange it for a small (haven’t received it in the mail yet) as it does have sleeves. The x-small will work with my torso, but I am not sure if it will work with my shoulders and arms. We will have to see. I almost bought this dress instead (and may go back and purchase it), but ultimately went with the shorter length dress. I also bought this headband. I know I already have the white pearl headband, but that is for fancy occasions. I wanted a white headband for an everyday look. I believe you can never have too many headbands! This weekend I have nothing on the agenda but to enjoy the real first taste of fall. I may head uptown to Central Park to see if any of the leaves have changed. I know I need to run a few errands; get a new book, donate clothes, etc. I am also planning on watching Enola Holmes on Netflix. Seems to be having rave reviews. I hope the weather stays decently nice so I can go for a ran, as my running days are numbered with the cold seasons starting. Never been one who cares to run in the cold. No thank you! Have a wonderful weekend xo

It Just Got Easier to Recycle Beauty Products From Every Brand

As the first major retailer to offer a recycling program for all brands, Nordstrom pledges to take back 100 tons of beauty packaging by 2025.

It just got easier to recycle your beauty products: As the first major retailer to offer a recycling program for all brands, Nordstrom pledges to take back 100 tons of beauty packaging by 2025.
As the first major retailer to offer a recycling program for all brands, Nordstrom pledges to take back 100 tons of beauty packaging by 2025. of packaging every year, and much of this waste is not collected by curbside programs,” says Sue Kauffman, TerraCycle’s North American public relations manager. “Many of TerraCycle’s recycling partnerships are mail-in programs that invite consumers to send in product or packaging waste that is specific to the company that produced it or whom we’ve partnered with,” Kauffman notes. “The recycling partnerships TerraCycle has with Credo and BeautyCycle are a bit different since they allow consumers to drop off their waste at in-store collection points.” The brand-agnostic aspect of this is essential in creating the largest impact because to create a system that consumers adopt, convenience is key. “We encourage customers to designate an area or container in your bathroom to keep your empties until you’re ready to bring them to Nordstrom to be recycled,” says Lionello. The nearest drop-off can be located on its digital map feature, and a stroll to the beauty counter is all it takes to give packaging that would have likely been sent to a landfill a second life.In their next act, beauty products take on the form of anything from outdoor seating to hardware store supplies. “After TerraCycle receives the collected waste, the material is consolidated into large volumes before it is shredded and sorted by material type. From there, it is cleaned, melted, and recycled into a wide range of new plastic products, such as park benches and picnic tables,” Kauffman explains. “Likewise, metals are separated using a system of magnets and smelted to create raw material for reuse as a base material for stamped product applications like nuts and bolts, washers, and rings. Glass is cleaned and sorted by color for processing, where it is crushed and melted to be used in new glass products or other applications.” AdvertisementEven with these innovations in the recycling process, it’s important to keep in mind that some beauty products simply can’t be recycled at this point. These include aerosol cans, electronics like blow-dryers and straighteners, perfume bottles, and nail polishes and removers. “Due to federal regulations, some beauty products are classified as hazardous waste at end of life due to the product either having high alcohol content, which creates a fire risk in transit, or the packaging itself being pressurized,” Kauffman says. Ideally, educating consumers about the impossibility of incorporating certain items into a circular beauty economy will encourage them to seek alternatives or pare down their overall use. Instead of a pressurized can of shaving cream, one might opt for The Art of Shaving’s Lavender Shaving Soap, for example. Similarly, making it crystal clear that an empty Burt’s Bees lip balm, Chanel eyeliner pencil nub, BareMinerals mascara tube, and Davines conditioner tub can all be bundled and handed off to a Nordstrom beauty rep in a single eco-friendly step is news that we can all use. “I’m excited to connect with our customers in a new and meaningful way, especially because this is such an important subject,” says Lionello. “I hope BeautyCycle makes it easier for everyone to recycle their beauty packaging so that we can leave this Earth better than we found it.”