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Posts with term TerraCycle X

F. Gaviña & Sons partners with TerraCycle for coffee pod recycling

Coffee company F. Gaviña & Sons and recycling company TerraCycle have partnered for a coffee pod recycling programme.   Under the initiative, consumers can send in their single-serve coffee pods and espresso capsules used in F. Gaviña & Sons’ Don Francisco’s Coffee Family Reserve and Café La Llave to be recycled for free.   The coffee residue is supplied to an industrial composting plant while the packaging is cleaned, melted and remoulded to make new recycled products.   Additionally, consumers will be rewarded with points that can be used for charitable gifts or converted to cash and donated to the non-profit, school or charitable organisation.   F. Gaviña & Sons executive marketing director Lisette Gaviña Lopez said: “Sustainability is at the core of every business decision we make, and as we innovate to meet the changing needs and preferences of our customers, we also look for new ways to minimise environmental impact.   “Through our partnership with TerraCycle we can now extend our environmental efforts beyond the shelf with a responsible recycling program for our espresso capsule and coffee pod customers.”   Established in 1967, F. Gaviña & Sons is one of the largest family-owned coffee companies and the largest privately held minority-owned coffee roaster in the US.   As part of its commitment towards sustainability, F. Gaviña & Sons also started the Direct Impact Initiative.

They're Here: The Winners of Byrdie's 2020 Eco Awards

When we were deciding whether to move forward with Byrdie's 2020 Eco Beauty Awards in the face of a pandemic, it boiled down to one question: Does beauty still have a place in times of adversity? The answer—resoundingly, from our team and our readers—was yesAs a website that covers all things beauty, Byrdie has always existed to spread the message that beauty isn’t vanity; it's self-expression, exploration, armor, rebellion, comfort, and a way to spread joy. Those last two feel especially relevant right now given our current circumstances, and they’re the reason why we’re unveiling our fourth annual Eco Beauty Awards today. We hope reading about these eco-conscious brands—all of which are doing thoughtful and innovative things in the world of sustainability, and proof that "clean" is the new normal—will bring you comfort and joy during this uncertain time. Another thought: What better time than now to lift up smaller brands in the current economic climate? We hope as you scroll, you discover new favorites.   A little about our selection process: Our editors and guest judges (more on them later) tested hundreds of products throughout the year and nominated over 300 that qualified as “clean” by Byrdie’s Clean Beauty Pledge. From there, we narrowed down the winners based on three things: ingredients (are they high-quality and non-toxic?), sustainability (does its creation take into account environmental impact or are there charitable elements?), and efficacy (does it work?). We placed a heavy emphasis on ingredients and sustainability this year, choosing to highlight brands that are really going above and beyond to formulate with sustainably-sourced, clean ingredients while minimizing their carbon footprint—and lucky for us and our planet, there are so, so many.    To help us spotlight the best in eco beauty, we recruited four clean beauty experts to serve as guest judges. Learn a little about them below:

Braina Laviena

A model, photographer, and clean beauty buff, Braina Laviena is an expert on all things clean, especially when it comes to products for sensitive skin. She also writes and photographs a monthly column for Byrdie highlighting the best in clean beauty.  

Katherine Martinko, Senior Editor at Treehugger

Katherine writes about sustainable, low-impact living for Treehugger, a website dedicated to all things green and eco-conscious. With her eco expertise, she also played tiebreaker for certain categories, judging a product's sustainable practices and ingredient quality.  

Romain Gaillard, Founder of The Detox Market

Romain Gaillard is one of the first purveyors of the natural beauty movement and the founder of The Detox Market, the leading green beauty retailer in North America.  

Tennille Murphy, Blogger and Sustainable Living Expert

Tennille is a clean beauty advocate and sustainable living expert. Her blog, The Tennille Life, was created as a place to uplift, inspire, and promote clean beauty and wellness routines. The Praise: "This cleanser is my holy grail. It removes makeup so I don't have to double-cleanse on nights when I feel lazy (which is most nights), has a pleasant, faint scent of flowers and citrus, and leaves my skin clean, soft, and hydrated—never too tight. I recommend it to everyone." - Faith Xue, editorial director   The Eco Factor: All Alpyn Beauty products are made with sustainably-harvested, wildcrafted ingredients and the brand donates 1% of all brand sales to Grand Teton National Park in their hometown of Jackson Hole, WY. The Praise: "I love how effective Cocokind’s prebiotic Oil to Milk cleanser is at breaking down oil, sunscreen, and even eye makeup. Once mixed with water, it creates a lovely milky wash that gently rinses away, leaving my skin clean and refreshed without feeling tight and stripped." - Tennille Murphy, creator of The Tennille Life   The Eco Factor: The brand uses only clean ingredients and opts for packaging is completely plastic-free—instead, it uses recyclable tubes made from sugarcane materials. The Praise: "This is our number one cream cleanser year after year. It's alcohol and detergent-free and when used with the muslin cloth that comes with it, leaves no trace of dirt behind." - Romain Gaillard, founder of The Detox Market   The Eco Factor: Pai products are Cosmos Nautural certified and made with sustainable vegan ingredients. The brand also works with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which promotes responsible management of the world's forests and produces recyclable packaging. The Praise: "We launched Naturopathica one year ago and this product has solidified it as one of our fastest growing brands. The blend of ingredients is so lush—royal jelly, manuka honey, and sea buckthorn to name a few. The Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm feels like a spa treatment every time I wash my face." - Romain Gaillard   The Eco Factor: All of the ingredients in Naturopathica products are sustainably and responsibly sourced, with most of the packaging made from glass or recycled material. The Praise: "I was surprised the first time I used this product—I was expecting a gritty scrub, but it was so much gentler and still somehow left me with bright, smooth, calmed skin. I love that I can use this elderflower and castor oil-infused exfoliating wash as often as I want without fearing over-exfoliation. Plus, the smell and creamy texture makes it feel like a treat." - Faith Xue   The Eco Element: All of Codex's products contain sustainably sourced ingredients housed in plant-based polyethylene tubes, which reduce each product's carbon footprint from about 50% to 80%. The Praise: "Before using this, I had been using diluted ACV as a toner and it seemed like the only thing that could keep my allergic reactions and eczema under control. One week after putting the ACV down and using this regularly, I noticed that my skin texture and moisture had improved significantly. After using it for a longer period of time, it even helped fade stubborn acne scars—plus, my allergic reactions and eczema felt more under control than they'd ever been. The sweet orange scent that helps wake me up every morning is a very pleasant bonus." - Braina Laviena, model and clean beauty advocate   The Eco Factor: All LOLI products are food-grade, fair-trade, organic and ethically made, with the brand donating $1 for every $75 spent to organizations dedicated to ending human trafficking. The Praise: "This is the definition of a luxury product. When I use Blue Cocoon, it’s a full holistic experience—from the beautiful packaging to the way it melts into my skin to the blue tansy, which soothes my skin and reduces any redness or inflammation. It's pricey, but a little goes a long way!" - Tennille Murphy   The Eco Factor: This balm-to-fluid moisturizer is made with fairtrade, wild harvested blue tansy (as well as marula, baobab, and myrrh oils) to provide relief to irritated skin. All May Lindstrom products are made with organic, responsibly-sourced ingredients housed in Miron violet glass to protect their potency. The Praise: "My skin is incredibly dry and for this reason, I have tried many, many lotions and creams. For me, I need a moisturizer to truly hydrate without being too heavy or clogging my pores. Enter: Moisture Riser, a silky and decadent formula made with all-natural botanicals that's truly everything and more I've ever wanted in a moisturizer. Applying it in the mornings has even become a sort of meditative ritual; I take deep breaths of its calming scent to get ready for the day ahead of me." - Braina Laviena   The Eco Factor: Noto is transparent about its focus on reducing its ecological footprint, with a goal of fully compostable packaging, synthetic-free tints, and less overall waste in its production process. The Praise: "This. Product. Does. Everything! It's an incredible moisturizer, can be dabbed onto the high points of the face like a highlighter, soothes cuticles, and rough zones on the body, and so much more. The full-size is a must, as is the travel-size, which is always in my makeup bag." Leah Wyar, editor-in-chief/GM   The Eco Factor: What's more eco than one product that replaces 13? You can use this to soothe dry skin on your elbows, hands and feet, but also as a face cream, highlighter, eye cream...the list goes on. Weleda prioritizes raw ingredients that come from organic or biodynamic farming. In 2013, the brand reduced its water consumption by 25%, with 50% of its direct energy coming from renewable sources. You can also recycle your empties through the brand’s TerraCycle Recycling Program. The Praise: "After a week of consistent use, my skin looked plump, even, and visibly smoother along my forehead and crow’s feet. And not once did I suffer from any negative effects—no irritation, no redness.” - Hallie Gould, senior editor   The Eco Factor: The brand recently started conversion to carton packaging made of 100% post consumer waste material, saving over 95,000 pounds of wood and 142,000 gallons of water in the process. The Praise: "I'm on my third bottle of Circumference's Vital-C Antioxidant Day Serum and that's saying something, considering that I generally never get through even a full jar of any other product before moving on to try something else. This bouncy serum comes with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide and provides a moist, even baseline for me to layer my makeup on top of—not to mention the protective barrier it provides against daily pollution and UV rays. The application is like an herbal aromatherapy session—I'll take any excuse to add some deep breathing into my morning routine." Elspeth Velten, group editorial director   The Eco Factor: Circumference uses natural, toxin-free ingredients sourced from their own native growing regions for higher potency. The brand also keeps a close eye on its supply chain, noticing when certain botanicals are at risk for over harvesting and swapping in more affluent crops that are just as effective when necessary—pretty rad. The Praise: "While I've used eye creams on and off in the past, I didn’t make one a permanent part of my routine until I tried one in balm form. The way this thick, peptide-packed formula sinks into my under eyes makes me feel like it’s working immediately, and massaging it into my skin just feels luxurious. It’s truly one of the only eye products that's ever made a noticeable difference in the appearance of my dark circles." - Karli Bendlin, newsletter editor   The Eco Factor: All of Tata Harper's products are made with organic ingredients from her own farm in Vermont and come with a batch number that allows you to see how fresh your product is, who made it, and more. The Praise: "I trust everything True Botanicals makes—each of its products is thoughtfully formulated and has never done my skin wrong. I particularly love this orange-tinged oil for patting on top of serum as the final step in my routine. It balances my skin and helps unclog pores for an overall smoother and more radiant complexion (which is quite fitting, given its name)." - Lindsey Metrus, senior editor   The Eco Factor: Every True Botanicals formula is MADE SAFE® certified, meaning its free of 5,000+ ingredients known to cause human and environmental health. The Praise: "“This is our best selling acne treatment product and one of my favorites from Odacité. It is so easy to use and so effective as both a spot treatment and a serum. It's truly magical." - Romain Gaillard   The Eco Factor: The California-French brand uses only organic, non-GMO ingredients grown without environment-damaging chemicals. The brand is also pledging to plant 20,000 trees in 2020, which we can def stand behind. The Praise: "The first time I tried this mask was just after spending a week with family in arid Arizona. My normally-dry skin was drier and duller than ever, so I was more than impressed when I used this mask and my skin suddenly felt ridiculously soft and supple, with all my congestion gone. It's truly a facial in a bottle that's gentle enough for sensitive skin. I love using it regularly in between facial appointments to keep my skin in check and help brighten my skin tone." - Braina Laviena   The Eco Factor: African Botanics sources its botanical ingredients from Fair Trade communities in South Africa, allowing it to help local communities invest in the preservation of their land. The Praise: "I'm a fan of so many Youth to the People products, and one of my favorites is this brightening and hydrating mask (which is really more of a rich night cream). I swear I see a noticeable difference in the tone and texture of my skin after just one use, and with continued application, my skin looks exponentially dewier and more even. It doesn't hurt that it smells great, too." - Lindsey Metrus   The Eco Factor: Youth to the People excludes over 1,300 ingredients that are banned in the EU from its products and opts for recyclable glass packaging. The Praise: "I had high expectations the first time I dipped my finger into this little blue pot, based primarily on its steep price tag and partially on its Miranda Priestly-approved name (cerulean!). While a lot of masks make my skin look great for a day or two, this is one of the only ones I’ve tried that has made a major long term difference in my skin’s hydration and texture. Tip: try leaving it on overnight for maximum benefits. " - Karli Bendlin   The Eco Factor: Kypris uses natural, clean ingredients from small farms and co-ops throughout the world, which supports communities and provides a source of additional income. The Praise: "I love peppermint in every form, so you can imagine how excited I was to find it paired with geranium in this fabulous body wash. The scent is fresh and zingy, but not overpowering, and it stays on my skin long after the shower has ended. Better yet, all of Plant Apothecary's products are vegan, cruelty free, GMO-free, and made in the USA." - Katherine Martinko, Senior Editor at Treehugger   The Eco Factor: PLANT products contain no silicones, which can build up in soil and water, and prioritizes glass packaging when possible; when the brand does use plastic, it ops for PET plastic, which can be recycled many times over. The Praise: "This isn’t just a body moisturizer—it’s now one of my favorite rituals. I love picking up my Body Stone and smoothing it over my limbs before bed. It soothes my eczema-prone legs and arms, has a really soothing rose and neroli scent, and leaves a really subtle sheen behind, which makes it great for daytime too. I introduced my boyfriend to it recently and used it on his dry, cracked knuckles—it soothed them instantly and he’s hooked now too." - Faith Xue   The Eco Factor: A lot of moisturizers are made with over 80% water and filler ingredients—the Body Stones are made with 80% pure cocoa butter and come housed in bamboo canisters that can be reused (you can order Body Stone refills that come packaging-free). The organic, unbleached linen cloths they come wrapped in can be upcycled as gentle cleansing cloths. The Praise: "If the shiny purple packaging doesn't hook you first, just try to resist the luxurious oil inside. The rosehip-jojoba-grapeseed dry oil blend melts into your skin in a way that's so therapeutic. This was a gift during my pregnancy and will forever be a part of my body pampering routine." - Leah Wyar   The Eco Factor: MUTHA's products are made out of glass and are recyclable; the brand is moving to using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paper for future packaging. The brand also donates 5% of all its website sales to International Medical Corps, which helps educate nurses and midwives in places where maternal mortality rates during childbirth are the highest. How's that for a brand living up to its name?
The Praise: "This body scrub has blown every other body scrub I've tried out of the water. It's the perfect amount of scrubby (but not abrasive), and I love that the bamboo charcoal and pumice physical exfoliators melt into my skin as I scrub. I have really sensitive skin on my body and it's so rare to find a fragrance-free product that feels luxurious, looks chic, and is just an all-around indulgent experience to use from start to finish. Plus, my skin always feels ridiculously soft afterwards." -Faith Xue   The Eco Factor: Beyond having strict, EWG-guided clean ingredient standards, Necessaire also invests in 100% recyclable and 85% post-consumer waste materials (including recycled ink) and avoids using any virgin forest materials in its packaging. The Praise: "Caring for my body and my mind has never felt more important. To remedy all my aches, pains, and dry patches, I’ve been reaching for Kopari’s CBD Balm—an otherworldly mix of full-spectrum CBD, coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and aloe.” - Hallie Gould   The Eco Factor: All Kopari products are made with coconut oil sustainably sourced from the Philippines, where the brand introduced the Sustainable Agricultural Network (SAN) standard to over 2,500 farmers. The Praise: "I've been using more hand cream than ever given the fact I'm also washing my hands more. I'm obsessed with this one from Juara, which smells like coconut and is made with shea butter, buriti oils, and sea algae extract to be intensely hydrating. Another reason I love it: the cream sinks in instantly and doesn't leave my hands feeling greasy or oily, which is a must when I'm constantly typing." - Faith Xue   The Eco Factor: Juara is a brand founded on the idea "jamu," an Indonesian herbal tradition that's all about wellness from the inside out. The brand uses traditional ingredients like anti-inflammatory turmeric, candlenut, ginger, rice bran oil in its products, along with a slew of other NPAEcocertCleangredients, or Cosmos certified ingredients. The Praise: "As someone who writes regularly about clean beauty products, I feel like I've tried most of the green deodorants on the market. None works as well as PiperWai, which is why I keep coming back to it. It feels dry and non-oily, lasts all day (even through a sweaty CrossFit workout) and has a super fresh, gender-neutral scent. Bonus points for the glass jar." - Katherine Martinko   The Eco Factor: Instead of the aluminum found in most antiperspirants, PiperWai uses activated charcoal to absorb sweat and a blend of 11 essential oils to keep your underarms smelling fresh.       The Praise: "Whether I need to add a lick of moisture to my visibly dry lips or I'm going for a thick protective layer before heading out into harsh weather, Biossance's Rose Vegan Lip Balm does the trick. It's petroleum-free and lists hyaluronic acid and ceramides as actives, meaning that the plumpness I perceive after application is actually real. Applying it is addictive." - Elspeth Velten   The Eco Factor:  Biossance ships all of its products carbon neutral, thanks to the brand’s funding of tree planting and reforestation projects. All of the brand’s products are made with vegan, non-toxic, EWG Verified formulas and come in renewable sugarcane packaging and compostable boxes.   The Praise: "My favorite part of this turmeric-infused, microbiome-balancing sunscreen is the finish—the formula adjusts to your skin tone and blends easily, then leaves the most flattering, light-reflecting sheen behind. If I really want to blind people with my glow, I’ll use a face oil before applying this in the morning, then wait for the compliments to pour in. Plus, I love that the brand is super open about its sustainability goals when it comes to packaging." - Faith Xue   The Eco Factor: Many of Kinship's products are made with Ocean Waste Plastic that's been collected from the shores of Indonesia; the brand aims to use 100% OWP in the near future.   The Praise: "It’s hard to choose which of the scents in Michelle Pfeiffer’s clean fragrance line Henry Rose I love best. Honestly, I love them all. But Queens & Monsters is a new favorite, with notes of violet leaf, neroli, vanilla and sandalwood all blending together for a woodsy, cozy, intoxicating scent. Spritzing it is an instant mood-boost." - Faith Xue The Eco Factor: All Henry Rose fragrances are EWG Verified and offer complete transparency around what goes in each one (only 300 ingredients made the cut as being safe to use, as opposed to the 3,000 traditional perfumes are made with).         The Praise: "I can not say enough about this brand! I love that Cocokind is thoughtful with every detail of their products. They use minimal, organic ingredients and I appreciate how much effort goes into the sustainability of their packaging. Most of all, they make effective products that are affordable and accessible to all." - Tennille Murphy   The Eco Factor: The brand is super open about its sustainability initiatives, which include using organic, sustainable ingredients whenever possible to "powder coating" their bottles, a pollution-free and way less energy-consuming way to add color than traditional means. The Praise: "As someone with bleached hair, I choose my shampoos very carefully—anything too harsh, and my hair starts looking (and feeling) like straw. I was intrigued by this Davines shampoo for its sustainability claim as the the brand’s first 100% carbon neutral shampoo, but nervous it might be too drying. Instead, it left my hair feeling clean (and nicely scented), but not stripped. I also just love using it and knowing that I’m leaving no environmental footprint behind." - Faith Xue   The Eco Factor: Davines created this shampoo with 95% ingredient from a natural origin and a 98.2% biodegradable formula. The brand also recently launched an initiative called Beauty from The Ground Up, a commitment to raise awareness and funds for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in all 50 states. The Praise: "I’m very particular when it comes to conditioners—my hair is ultra-fine, and I normally avoid anything with 'oil' or 'butter' in its name. I was pleasantly shocked when this conditioner made my hair melt-through-my-fingers soft, without any of the dreaded post-shower residue that's left behind with a lot of hydrating products. I found out after it's actually designed to rinse out faster than the average conditioner, so it doesn’t weigh down my hair and helps me save water without even really thinking about it. Plus, it makes my shower smell like a rose garden, which is an absolute dream." - Karli Bendlin   The Eco Factor: This formula is 97% naturally derived and 100% cruelty-free. And how's this for sustainability goals: Love Beauty & Planet tracks greenhouse gas emissions across every stage of production and distribution, contributing $40 per carbon ton to third party programs that help reduce carbon emissions and landfill waste.     The Praise: "This mask is beloved by The Detox Market staff for its ability to soften coarse hair, as smoothing fine hair without weighing it down. Our customers love it for providing them the perfect at-home deep conditioning treatment." - Romain Gaillard   The Eco Factor: Rahua was founded by environmentalists, so sustainability is at its core. The two co-founders work with the indigenous people of the Amazon to gather rainforest-grown ingredients from self-sustained forests, with a promise to never harvest non-regenerative ingredients.       The Praise: "This is a cult classic in eco-friendly hair care and is great for anyone who uses heat to style or has breakage. I use it daily after I shower when I'm heat styling and when I'm not—it helps to give my dry, damaged ends a bit of moisture and my hair dries feeling soft and hydrated." - Kelly Gallagher, senior social media manager   The Eco Factor: Aveda is an OG eco hair brand and has now been manufacturing products in its primary facility using 100% wind power for over10 years. This April, the brand pledged to offset carbon emissions from all shipping orders by working with a renewable energy partner called 3D.       The Praise: "This product is 100% my go-to for achieving my very best wash-and-go results. It always surprises me how smooth and hydrated my hair feels, even after rinsing. While I'm detangling in the shower, this conditioner provides perfect slip and has an uplifting citrus-y scent. It makes my wash-and-go last longer, because my curls stay smooth and defined. All curly girls should give this product a try!" - Star Donaldson, associate social media editor   The Eco Factor: All Bounce Curl products are made with botanical, mostly-natural ingredients and oils. The brand also focuses on giving back to and supporting female founders who come from challenging circumstances.     The Praise: "Since I have white hair, scalp care is very important to me. Briogeo’s entire scalp revival line is amazing. The charcoal in this product does a wonderful job of removing build up, while the peppermint has such a wonderful aromatherapy experience and is so soothing." - Tennille Murphy   The Eco Factor: Briogeo products are all sulfate-, silicone-, and cruelty-free, while the packaging is made with at least 25% post consumer recycled (PCR) plastic. The Praise: "The Ritual Oil from Playa is a dry hair savior. I apply it to the ends of my hair at night and leave it on while I sleep as an overnight treatment and wake up with soft, hydrated ends. It smells great and I feel confident that I'm putting only the best, cleanest ingredients in my hair." - Kelly Gallagher   The Eco Factor: Playa currently offers a product recycling program for its customers to help reduce virgin plastic production. The Praise: "With so many brands entering the natural beauty space, you would think finding clean stand-ins for my favorite products would be a breeze. But so often when I find a clean product I love, it costs eons more than it’s non-clean counterpart would, or it has an ingredients list that's longer than a pharmacy receipt. Love Beauty & Planet’s products check off all the boxes for me; they actually work, cost less than I spend weekly on coffee, and every aspect of their production is sustainable (or aiming to be), from the ethically-sourced ingredients they’re made with to the recycled-plastic packaging they’re housed in." - Karli Bendlin   The Eco Factor: We stan a budget-friendly beauty brand that's upfront about its six biggest sustainability goals, prioritizes natural, ethically-sourced ingredients, and uses recycled materials for its packaging. Plus, the brand is constantly innovating on the sustainability front--try their shampoo and conditioner bars, an eco, plastic bottle-free way to cleanse your hair. The Praise: "Byrdie HQ has collectively fallen head over heels for this lightweight tinted serum from ILIA. I'm generally a full-coverage-or-bust kind of girl, but this glow-inducing formula helps smooth and even out my skin so well that I don't miss my usual thick foundation. A huge added bonus is that it also has a whopping SPF 40, which is rare for a product of this consistency." - Lindsey Metrus   The Eco Factor: ILIA's been making clean makeup products before clean makeup was cool, prioritizing skin-loving, non-toxic ingredients in all its formulations. Sustainability-wise, the brand uses recycled aluminum, glass components, and responsibly sourced paper in its packaging and recently partnered with Terracycle on a recycling program. The Praise: "As an early adopter of no makeup-makeup, I’m always looking for products that combine the offerings of skincare and makeup. This tinted moisturizer with SPF hydrates, protects, and gives my skin a slight suggestion of coverage that keeps it looking natural, but backlit. Plus, unlike a lot of other skin tints I’ve tried, it passes my phone test (does it transfer to my screen the minute I place the phone to my ear?) and actually stays put." - Karli Bendlin   The Eco Factor: Beautycounter has a "Never List" containing over 1,800 ingredients the brand has deemed harmful and will never use, and is doing some pretty cool things when it comes to cosmetic ingredient regulation and advocacy. The brand also recently redesigned its packaging without any additional plastic parts, which saves an estimated 800,000 parts from being made in the next year. The Praise: "I didn’t like primers until I tried this primer. Unlike silicone-y, grippy primers, this texture melts into a water the second you apply it to your skin. It’s extremely soothing and cooling when you apply. The best part is how it makes my foundation (or just a few dabs of concealer, if I’m having a good skin day) apply so much more smoothly. Plus, since I live in NYC, it’s nice to know I’m using a product that’s protecting my skin from the city smog and dust." - Faith Xue   The Eco Factor: Grown Alchemist products are made with certified organic botanical ingredients and come in glass, aluminum, or PET plastic packaging. The Praise: "W3ll People created a concealer that feels so light on the skin, yet can cover the darkest of under-eye circles and the reddest of spots. Bio Correct blends so easily and is made with algae to soothe and caffeine to brighten, so it also acts as a treatment for the skin." - Romain Gaillard   The Eco Factor: W3ll People products are EWG-verified, cruelty-free and made with no fillers, propylene glycol, and non-renewable petrochemicals or petroleum by-products. The Praise: "I love dark eye makeup and am often frustrated by how thin and light many natural mascaras can be. That's not the case with this product. It makes my lashes look long, dark, and thick with no clumping, and an extra layer makes it even more dramatic. Thanks to clean ingredients, it never irritates my eyes or contact lenses, and I like how it washes off easily without leaving dark smudges on my skin. The company has a wonderful philosophy of striving to "heal humanity and the Earth." - Katherine Martinko   The Eco Factor: Dr. Hauscha's manufacturing facilities have run on 100% certified green electricity for years, and the products are only made with ingredients from certified organic cultivation and under fair trade conditions. The brand also cultivates a sustainable "biodynamic plant garden" in Germany—field trip, anyone? The Praise: "There are very few clean liquid liners that last all day—this is it! Plus, it glides on so smoothly, creating the tightest, neatest line along my lashes. I love that it doesn't irritate my eyes—a big plus, especially during spring allergy season!" - Leah Wyar   The Eco Factor: Naked Poppy creates all of its products under its super-strict ingredient standards, allowing just 700 clean, highly-vetted ingredients into its formulations (for reference, there over 12,000 usually used in the cosmetic industry). The Praise: "Nothing makes me happier than a shimmery eye shadow palette, but most can be filled with some sketchy ingredients beneath (or because of) the sparkle. I was first introduced to this rose quartz-inspired palette from Aether a few years back, and I still use it to this day. The colors are super wearable for everyday but still offer a sizable shimmer factor, thanks to the real rose quartz infused into the coconut oil- and shea butter-based formulas. I also love that the palette itself is fully recyclable, which is rarely ever the case." - Faith Xue   The Eco Factor: Aether was started by the ex-head R&D for sustainable materials at Sephora and only uses ingredients that are ethically & sustainably sourced, certified organic, and certified fair-trade whenever possible. The Praise: "I've tried so many cream blushes over the years, and still keep coming back to this one. Not only is it the creamiest consistency (so many others take forever to warm up in your hand, while this one melts on impact), but it comes in the most flattering shades. It's incredibly easy to apply, wakes up my face instantly, and I love knowing that it's free of any sketchy ingredients." - Faith Xue   The Eco Factor: This blush is CCPB Certified, which means a minimum of 95% of the naturally-derived ingredients in it come from organic farming. Also, all Kjaer Weis products are refillable to help save on excess packaging. The Praise: "If I could only use one makeup product for the rest of my life, it would probably be this highlighter-serum hybrid. The first time I tapped it on, I literally could not stop looking at my cheekbones in the mirror. I like to apply it on days where I'm not wearing any other makeup, or I'll sometimes layer it on another highlighter when I want to take a really good selfie; I swear it makes me 1000% more photogenic." - Karli Bendlin   The Eco Element: Maya Chia gives back by serving as corporate sponsor of Adopt-a-Village Guatemala, a grassroots organization that helps Mayans by providing them the tools for a better education. The Praise: "In what has become signature for so many RMS products, this cream-gel combo does triple duty: swipe it along your cheekbones, eyelids, even lips for the perfect sun-kissed glow. I used it directly on top of just-moisturized skin when I want it super dewy and even over powder bronzer as a more glistening topcoat." - Leah Wyar   The Eco Element: RMS products are made with organic, food-grade ingredients and come in minimal, mostly-glass packaging (the rest can be recycled or upcycled).   The Praise: "Vapour recently rebranded and I'm loving the sleek new packaging. What I love even more is this easy-to-use, does-everything stick, which I swipe on my cheeks and lips (and sometimes even eyes) to wake up my face. It's creamy, hydrating, and silicone-free—insead, it's made with organic avocado and jojoba oils for a super-moisturizing effect." - Faith Xue   The Eco Element: The brand earned a "Champion Safety Status" from the EWG for its responsibly sourced and organically farmed ingredients. Plus, it's got a great recycling program for empties. The Praise: "Saie’s Brow Butter rivals all my holy grail gels—only it’s softer, more flexible, and the formula is entirely clean. It makes my unruly brows look polished, feathered, and fluffy. I love itss liquid pomade formula, which holds your brows without any flaking or stiffness.” - Hallie Gould   The Eco Element: Saie is hyper-transparent about its stance on sustainability (it admits the brow brush is made of plastic, and says it hopes to develop its own plastic-free bristle someday) and is open about the ingredients in (and not in) its EWG certified, non-toxic products. The Praise: "I find it absolutely remarkable how well the Bite Beauty colors work on my skin tone. Aesthetically, I’m obsessed with their perfectly color matched packaging. The lip crayon provides a hydrating matte finish without drying my lips; I love the rich, saturated finish that applies easily. The shades Negroni, Hard Cider and Acai Smash are my top three." - Tennille Murphy   The Eco Element: Bite Beauty uses natural fruit pigments like pomegranate oil, African mango, and orange peel wax instead of sketchy ingredients and makes sure all of their ethically sourced ingredients are reviewed by licensed toxicologists for safety, allergens and efficacy. he Praise: "From what I remembered, lip gloss always had a strange taste and felt sticky and unpleasant. It wasn't until I found Tower 28 and its Jelly Lip Gloss in subtle but buildable colors that I fully embraced lip gloss. Not only is it not sticky (the biggest selling point for me) but it has clean ingredients created for sensitive and allergy-prone skin in mind. Now I find myself reaching for it constantly to finish a look and will even apply it on eyelids for a wet look when I'm feeling adventurous." - Braina Laviena   The Eco Element: All Tower28 products are free of potentially sketchy and irritating ingredients, allergy and dermatologist-tested, and formulated to be non-comedogenic, non-irritating, and gluten- and fragrance-free.     The Praise: “Sundays Nail Polish offers a really beautiful curation of shades that are entirely non-toxic. So, you can look good and feel good the entire time. No. 15 is my forever favorite—a perfect siren red that’s classic, full-bodied, and gorgeous.” - Hallie Gould   The Eco Element: Sundays polishes are 100% cruelty-free, vegan, 10-free, and non-toxic.     The Praise: "W3ll People was the first clean makeup brand I ever tried and loved; i's been instrumental in swapping my routine to consist of mostly-clean makeup products. I particularly love the Narcissist Foundation sticks, the Bio Brightener highlighter stick, the Expressionist eyebrow gel, and the Expressionist volumizing mascara. I love that the brand is affordable, so I never feel guilty stocking up. Also, the formulas feel high quality and the products actually do what they promise, which is essential." - Kelly Gallagher   The Eco Factor: W3ll People is one of the few makeup brands that's completely EWG Verified, skipping toxic, non-renewable petrolatum and petroleum-based ingredients and favoring plant-based ingredients that are safe, renewable and biodegradable. Plus, all the products just work really well.

BIC Launches U.S. Program to Recycle Used Pens, Pencils, Markers the “Write” Way

BIC, a world leader in stationery, lighters and shavers, has partnered with international recycling leader TerraCycle® to offer consumers a free and easy way to recycle their fully-used pens, mechanical pencils, markers and other stationery products and parts of packaging nationwide. As an added incentive, for every shipment of used stationery products collected and sent to TerraCycle through this program, collectors earn points that can be donated to a school or charitable organization of their choice.   “As families spend more time writing, drawing and coloring together, we want to provide them with a responsible way to dispose of their products once they are used. Our collection program with TerraCycle gives consumers a simple way to recycle their writing instruments and art supplies to make a difference in the world,” said Mary Fox, North American General Manager for BIC. “Sustainability has always been at BIC’s core. We are thrilled to expand this program to the U.S. from Europe, where we have successfully recycled an astounding 46 million items.”   Through the BIC® Stationery Recycling Program, consumers can now send in all brands of pens, markers, mechanical pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, watercolor dispensers and paint sets to be recycled for free. The program is also collecting the soft, flexible plastic packaging that some writing instruments are packaged in. Participation is easy: sign up on the TerraCycle program page https://www.terracycle.com/bic and mail in the used items using a prepaid shipping label. Once collected, the waste is cleaned and melted into hard plastic that is remolded to make new recycled products. The BIC® Stationery Recycling Program is open to any interested individual, school, office or community organization.

MEGA To Give New Life To Old Toys With Recycling Program

MEGA™, a leading construction toy brand has unveiled a Free Nationwide Recycling Program to give new life to old toys. The partnership with international recycling leader TerraCycle®, will recycle used Mega Bloks®, Mega Construx™ and other non-electronic MEGA™ toys to create new products in Canada.   Through the Blocks and Bricks Recycling Program, consumers can send in MEGA toys to be recycled at no charge to the consumer. Participation is easy. You can sign up for the program at www.terracycle.com/blocks-and-bricks-en-ca, then mail in your blocks and bricks using a prepaid shipping label you can print at home. Once collected, the blocks and bricks are cleaned, melted into hard plastic and remolded to make new products from the recycled materials. This may include playgrounds, picnic tables and park benches, to name a few. The Blocks and Bricks Recycling Program is open to any individual, school, office, or community organization interested.   This comes on the heals of MEGA's new line of building products made from plant-based materials, released earlier this year. As part of the line, all products come in Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified packaging that is fully recyclable. "Our plant-based blocks were the first step towards creating a more sustainable future and we are excited to continue the momentum as we believe that with every step, together we can make an impact," said Bisma Ansari, SVP of MEGA. "By teaming up with TerraCycle, we are providing builders a more sustainable option to dispose of their well-loved toys and the ability to recycle our toys for free. We are very proud to continue our commitment towards a greener planet, one block at a time, as we build a brighter tomorrow together."   For more information on this initiative and TerraCycle's recycling programs, visit www.megabrands.com/en-ca/environmental-initiatives.  

BIC Partners with TerraCycle for Pen, Pencil, and Marker Recycling

BIC, maker of stationary utensils and shavers, has partnered with international recycling organization TerraCycle to offer consumers a free and easy way to recycle their fully used pens, mechanical pencils, markers, and other stationery products and parts of packaging nationwide. As an added incentive, for every shipment of used stationery product collected and sent to TerraCycle through this program, collectors earn points that can be donated to a school or charitable organization of their choice.   The company says they are expanding this program to the US from Europe, where it has successfully recycled 46 million items.   Through the BIC Stationery Recycling Program, consumers can now send in all brands of pens, markers, mechanical pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, watercolor dispensers, and paint sets to be recycled for free. The program is also collecting the soft, flexible plastic packaging that some writing instruments are packaged in. Consumers sign up on the TerraCycle program page and mail in the used items using a prepaid shipping label. Once collected, the waste is cleaned and melted into hard plastic that is remolded to make new recycled products. The BIC Stationery Recycling Program is open to any interested individual, school, office, or community organization.   This is the latest step BIC has taken on its journey to further enhance the sustainability of its long-lasting products and to minimize its impact on the environment, one of the goals in its 2025 “Writing the Future, Together” program.   BIC and TerraCycle began partnering in 2011 to collect and recycle used stationery products in Europe. A similar program was launched in Australia and New Zealand last year.   Several companies have partnered with TerraCycle for recycling initiatives. Late last year, Gerber partnered with the recycling company to help give hard-to-recycle baby food packaging a new life.   As an added incentive, for every pound of packaging waste sent to TerraCycle through the Gerber Recycling Program, collectors can earn $1 to donate to a non-profit, school or charitable organization of their choice.

“RAKO Coffee, Local Female-Owned Roastery, Launches with Free Shipping”

“Washington, DC-based founders Lisa Gerben and Melissa Gerben announce the launch of RAKO Coffee Roasters, a specialty coffee collective focused on sustainably sourced single origin coffees, environmentally friendly roasting practices, and advanced brewing methods.  While RAKO’s summer plans to open two cafes in the District were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the brand launched a new online store featuring freshly roasted specialty coffee from Sumatra, Guatemala, Burundi and Ethiopia, available via free shipping in the DMV. The complimentary delivery service started April 6th and will continue indefinitely, with custom brew guides available for consumers to make the best possible coffee at home.   The sister duo has been pleased by the outpouring of support from the community toward local businesses and are grateful to customers who have kept demand strong. In turn, they will be donating 10% of every sale to Erik Bruner-Yang’s Power of 10 crowdfunding initiative, which provides employment to laid off restaurant workers and meals to first responders and community members affected by COVID-19. Additionally, a portion of each sale supports the coffee country of origin’s International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) Chapter.   “While this isn’t the launch we had envisioned, we are excited to bring our locally roasted, sustainably sourced coffee to the community,” said co-founders Lisa and Melissa Gerben. “We are happy to be able to ship coffee at this time, and to welcome Washingtonians to our cafes later this year.”   RAKO develops coffees that are approachable but can become increasingly complex with advanced brewing methods. Their unique roast profiles are meticulously designed to bring out the full potential of each coffee. Each coffee is accompanied by a brewing guide to assist at-home drinkers with varying levels of experience to perfectly brew their cup.  
  • Luleesa Limu – Ethiopia ($16). Tasting Notes: Graham Cracker, Butterscotch, Pomegranate
  • Harimau Tiger – Sumatra ($18). Tasting Notes: Cocoa, Molasses, Grapefruit, Tobacco
  • Sidamo Kercha – Ethiopia ($16). Tasting Notes: Butter Croissant, Ginger Snap, Strawberry
  • Buzira Microlot 4 – Burundi ($18). Tasting Notes: Toffee, Clementine, Cinnamon, Clove
  • HueHue Waykan – Guatemala ($16). Tasting Notes: Brown Sugar, Milk Chocolate, Lemon Zest
  • Espresso Blend ($16). Tasting Notes: Candied Ginger, Cocoa, Blackberry Tart
  • Yirgacheffe Gedeb – Ethiopia ($18). Tasting Notes: Peach, Lemon Zest, Caramelized Sugar
  Melissa Gerben is the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) certified head roaster for RAKO Coffee Roasters. She never settles for anything less than perfection, and as a result is constantly learning, experimenting, and continuing to develop her craft. RAKO Coffee Roasters is in a constant pursuit to create the best coffee possible – this ethos is embedded into RAKO down to the very name, which translates to ‘challenge’. The roaster is named after RAKO mountain, a soaring, solitary mountain that co-owner Lisa Gerben and her team encountered after driving hours through rough terrain on one of their coffee sourcing trips in the Yirgacheffe region of Ethiopia. This experience inspired the team to take on the challenge to create elevated, exceptional coffees while giving back to the communities they’re a part of both locally and globally.   The majority of their coffees are single origin, directly imported from coffee farmers with whom they have personal friendships with thanks to Lisa’s extensive background in international trade. The RAKO team believes that the best way to help communities is through economic empowerment, and by importing coffee directly from the source, it allows the farmers and their communities to grow and thrive. They also work with high-quality importers who are equally committed to these guiding principles and work to improve the standard of living in coffee growing regions.   RAKO will continue to produce wholesale and direct to consumer coffee out of their state-of-the-art roasting facility in Northern Virginia. True to their ethos of making coffee as sustainably as possible, RAKO uses a Loring™ S35 Kestrel and S15 Falcon, some of the most environmentally friendly coffee roasting equipment on the market. Through a partnership with TerraCycle, consumers who order coffee online can simply drop their bags back into a pre-stamped envelope. The brand looks forward to welcoming coffee lovers in the coming months when they resume plans for a local pop-up series as well as the opening of two new cafe locations.”  

Earth Day 2020: Some Good News About Plastics Packaging

There is strength in numbers, which is why two is better than one, three is better than two and so on. Consider the strength of hundreds and even thousands. Because that’s the number of stakeholders in the plastics packaging market from polymer producers to packaging converters to brands and retailers and more that are working to improve the sustainability of their plastics and packaging. Collectively, they — and we as responsible consumers – have a real impact on the environment. And that’s why in recognition of this landmark 50th year anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 we’re getting “social” in this report by relaying examples from Twitter that paint an encouraging picture not only of what’s happening, but what’s possible from large multinational brands to eco-minded individuals. It’s good news we can all use these days and especially this week knowing that Earth Day should be an everyday state of mind.   Foodservice containers made recyclable thanks to #chemicalrecycling.  

BIC LAUNCHES U.S. PROGRAM TO RECYCLE USED PENS, PENCILS & MORE THE “WRITE” WAY

BIC, a world leader in stationery, lighters and shavers, has partnered with international recycling leader TerraCycle® to offer consumers a free and easy way to recycle their fully-used pens, mechanical pencils, markers and other stationery products and parts of packaging nationwide. As an added incentive, for every shipment of used stationery products collected and sent to TerraCycle through this program, collectors earn points that can be donated to a school or charitable organization of their choice. “As families spend more time writing, drawing and coloring together, we want to provide them with a responsible way to dispose of their products once they are used. Our collection program with TerraCycle gives consumers a simple way to recycle their writing instruments and art supplies to make a difference in the world,” said Mary Fox, North American General Manager for BIC. “Sustainability has always been at BIC’s core. We are thrilled to expand this program to the U.S. from Europe, where we have successfully recycled an astounding 46 million items.” Through the BIC® Stationery Recycling Program, consumers can now send in all brands of pens, markers, mechanical pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, watercolor dispensers and paint sets to be recycled for free. The program is also collecting the soft, flexible plastic packaging that some writing instruments are packaged in. Participation is easy: sign up on the TerraCycle program page https://www.terracycle.com/bic and mail in the used items using a prepaid shipping label. Once collected, the waste is cleaned and melted into hard plastic that is remolded to make new recycled products. The BIC® Stationery Recycling Program is open to any interested individual, school, office or community organization. “Through this free recycling program, BIC offers consumers the unique opportunity to learn about the value of recycling products they use every day while learning, playing or working that would otherwise end up in landfill,” said Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle. “We are proud to partner with BIC to offer consumers an easy solution for these typically unrecyclable items.” This is the latest step BIC has taken on its journey to further enhance the sustainability of its long-lasting products, which are made with the least amount of material, and to minimize its impact on the environment, one of the goals in its 2025 “Writing the Future, Together” program. BIC and TerraCycle began partnering in 2011 to collect and recycle used stationery products in Europe. A similar program was launched in Australia and New Zealand last year. The two organizations have also partnered to promote the circular economy by offering BIC products through LOOP, an e-commerce circular economy platform created by TerraCycle aimed at eliminating waste and reducing dependence on packaging. For more information on TerraCycle’s recycling programs, visit www.terracycle.com.

GH Seal Spotlight: Garnier Whole Blends Oat Delicacy Shampoo

COURTESY OF BRAND Whole Blends Gentle Shampoo Oat Delicacy Garnier walmart.com $8.20

WHY IT EARNED THE GH SEAL

  Our Beauty Lab chemists were so impressed with Garnier Whole Blends Oat Delicacy Shampoo. It delivers ultra-gentle, non-drying, shine-boosting results. And, when used with other products from the same line, left hair incredibly soft and moisturized.   1.      IMPRESSIVE POWER. Pair the mild shampoo with Oat Delicacy Conditioner and Detangling Milk (also GH Seal Stars!) for a regimen that will leave hair softer and stronger – without weighing it down. 2.    NONIRRITATING FORMULA. The shampoo, conditioner and detangler trio is great for adults and children struggling to find products for sensitive scalps. In consumer studies, testers of all ages found the routine gentle on their scalps and hair. 3.    DELICATE FRAGRANCE. In Lab evaluations, our beauty experts liked that its soft, sweet scent wasn't overpowering and helped create a soothing experience in the shower. Testers agreed too! 4.    SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING. You can feel good knowing that the bottle is made with 30% recycled material. Garnier also works with TerraCycle to keep hard-to-recycle beauty product packaging out of landfills.

Earth Day 50th Anniversary: How Far We’ve Come ... or Not?

Each Earth Day sets a new benchmark for what consumers expect from their trusted brands, muses TerraCycle and Loop CEO/founder Tom Szaky. And it can’t be growth at the expense of a planet running dry.   For better or worse, business is the most powerful force for change on Earth. Over the course of human civilization, business and industry have increasingly allowed us to become smarter, greener, healthier, and more connected to one another, functioning to provide products and services to fulfill public needs and desires, as well as drive innovation and global trends. Its virtues notwithstanding, business also drove the world to the consumption fever-pitch that misaligned our activities with nature so much that it provoked the late-century environmental movement, a pinnacle of which was the first Earth Day: April 22, 1970. Celebrating 50 years this week with the timely theme “24 Hours of Action” (updated from the more general “Climate Action” to feature fully digital programming in the advent of the coronavirus pandemic), the annual event’s impacts on the world are indelible, but not necessarily revolutionary. The birth of Earth Day was a direct response to a series of environmental disasters and mounting public concerns about single-use packaging, litter, and pollution. Individuals, schools, and communities mobilized around the lack of protections for consumers and the environment. It was a reaction to perceived inaction, and one intended to incite the public to change. Industry has long put pressure on governments to allow them the latitude to operate as they would like, stymying regulation and mandates for extended producer responsibility (EPR), the policy concept that extends a manufacturer’s responsibility for reducing impacts (such as pollution and waste) all the way to the hands of consumers. More than 110 EPR laws are currently in place for 13+ product categories in more than 30 US states. However, the United States as a country — the originators of the first Earth Day and its current base — is currently one of only three nations of the 35-member Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that does not have an EPR system specifically for existing packaging or one under development, despite packaging being a significant concern regarding waste. Some experts say voluntary industry-led programs rarely lead to the systemic changes needed to significantly impact the status quo, in addition to not providing the same sustainable funding sources as government mandates. However, industry, unlike governments, can steward reform and de-risk the political process of governments by acting in their own best interest. The events surrounding what Earth Day founder Denis Hayes called "the largest secular holiday in the world” can reveal the annual commemoration (since expanded to include Earth Month, hosted by a different organization entirely) as more of an exercise in public relations rather than a vehicle for policy change. Leading up to that first Earth Day, mass production, synthetic materials, and disposability took off in the 1950s, and the effects of overconsumption quickly surfaced within the decade while much of industry remained unregulated. The “business as usual” went on as long as it worked for the private interest, depending on sales to consumers and the ability of the environment to sustain its operations. But then, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring mainstreamed the hazards of the common pesticide DDT in 1962, which turned the public eye to agriculture. The 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill (the largest oil spill in California waters to date) had enough of an economic impact on commercial and ocean-related industries that it is credited with galvanizing not only Earth Day, but the formation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency later that year. When consumers become aware that companies profit at the expense of the health and safety of their families, wildlife, and the natural world, they stop buying. So, any progress made by way of regulation and product redesign since the first Earth Day has largely been to the degree business is compelled to make a change. When that happens, the governments are that much more supported in public-serving legislation, but this process is slow and mired by bureaucracy, special interests, and inequities around the world. In the case of global movements for social, economic, and environmental revolution, the best interests of business often then lie in serving people, the planet, and ultimately, profits. We are upon one of the most important, monumental Earth Days of our recent history, and it occurs in the midst of what too many brands have referred to as “uncertain times,” a situation many would argue as a direct result of the very thing driving the environmental movement: the interference of human activities in nature’s balanced system. With confidence, I can say that every Earth Day from here till the centennial will set a new benchmark for what consumers expect from the brands they let into their lives, and how they depend on companies, rather than government mandates, to protect them. Rather than driving consumption and externalizing negatives to create growth at the expense of a planet running dry, companies have an opportunity to take action and show the world why their business is essential — now and on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.