Every Year, Billions of Beauty Packaging Ends Up Unrecycled
CleanHub's latest report paints a stark picture of the beauty industry's environmental footprint. Each year, about 114 billion pieces of single-use packaging get tossed instead of recycled. That’s a huge chunk out of the 120 billion pieces produced annually by the beauty sector, highlighting a major packaging waste crisis.
Staggeringly, 95% of cosmetic packaging ends up in the trash, showcasing the industry's significant environmental hurdles. Only 14% of plastic waste reaches recycling, and a mere 9% actually gets recycled, as noted by the British Beauty Council. This waste doesn’t just disappear; it often finds its way into our rivers and oceans, posing a "serious threat" to marine life. CleanHub points out that at least 633 marine species are affected by these microplastics.
The report also sheds light on the prevalent use of palm oil in 70% of beauty products, contributing heavily to global deforestation. And let’s not forget the water usage: in 2020 alone, the beauty industry gulped down about 10.4 million tons of water, making it a major player in water consumption, ocean pollution, and wastewater issues.
CleanHub’s report emphasises that every stage of a product's lifecycle can harm the environment. The Carbon Trust echoes this, noting that sourcing materials and packaging, plus consumer usage, are key emissions drivers.
Ethically, the industry faces scrutiny too. A whopping 88% of major cosmetic brands still aren't cruelty-free, and many factory workers endure poor working conditions.
Yet, there’s a silver lining. With 63% of beauty consumers valuing ‘clean beauty’ and nearly half willing to pay more for sustainable options, there’s a clear call for change. CleanHub urges businesses to scrutinise their practices, aiming to cut down water waste and carbon emissions, switch to sustainable ingredients, eliminate plastics, and embrace refillable glass bottles. Transparency is key—keeping consumers and shareholders in the loop about progress is essential.
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