How to Recycle Makeup

"Makeup is making the planet ugly. The beauty industry generates approximately 120 billion packaging items annually, most of which end up in landfills. Most beauty packaging is too small, made of mixed materials, or too flexible to be accepted by municipal curbside recycling programs. Compacts, lipstick tubes, mascara wands, pumps, and travel-size containers are typically not accepted at standard recycling facilities."

"A growing number of brands, retailers, and nonprofit organizations have responded by creating specialized recycling programs for hard-to-recycle beauty packaging. This shift reflects increasing corporate awareness of the industry's environmental impact-and presents an opportunity for consumers to support companies that take responsibility for their products throughout their life cycles. Before diving into recycling options, consider purging your makeup collection first. Empty out every bag, drawer, suitcase, and purse: no compact left behind. First, determine what's no longer needed."

The beauty industry produces roughly 120 billion packaging items each year, and much of this packaging ends up in landfills because items are too small, made from mixed materials, or too flexible for curbside recycling. Common items like compacts, lipstick tubes, mascara wands, pumps, and travel-size containers are frequently not accepted by standard recycling facilities. Brands, retailers, and nonprofits are launching specialized recycling programs to address hard-to-recycle packaging and to assume product lifecycle responsibility. Consumers can reduce waste by purging expired or unused makeup, donating gently used items to shelters, checking brand take-back programs, and thoroughly cleaning and repurposing containers when recycling options are unavailable.

Read at Earth911