By will-buy
Most of us will feel guilt over throwing out empty pots of cream or defunct mascara tubes.
But the waste generated by our love of lipsticks is staggering.
The beauty industry creates approximately 120 billion packaging units each year, that is accountable for as much as 40% of all landfill waste and much of which also results in the ocean.
Clearly, this isn't a sustainable situation.
'There is such an issue with recycling beauty components, however hard we try,' says Rakesh Aggarwal, who owns online retailer escentual.com.
'Many parts, for example spray caps, are non-recyclable. Constructing a product may have a massive carbon footprint – you might generate a sprig cap from China, a lid from somewhere else, and put it together in France or Italy.
Refilling – either with recyclable pouches, powder or lipstick inserts or large bottles from which you can decant product – will eliminate a number of this.'
What we have to do, he says, would be to see the initial glass bottles or stylish aluminium containers as investments.
'It's tragic that stunningly designed packaging is easily discarded,' he says.
'Refilling is a movement, not really a trend,' says Anna Priadka, founding father of Fiils, a business that provides only refillable products.
Its premise is simple, buy a reusable aluminium bottle in rose gold, silver or copper, with refillable pouches of shampoo, conditioner or body wash. Decant into the bottle and send the pouches back for free recycling.
There are numerous advantages to refills. 'They are less energy-intensive to produce, because there is less packaging, which reduces emissions during shipping,' says Priadka.
'It's also benefiting the consumer,' says Aggarwal. 'Refills cost less and make the merchandise more flexible – place liquids into different sizes.'
The refill trend might have been pushing up shoots throughout the niche for a while – L'Occitane launched some in 2008 – but Priadka says it's only previously couple of years that it's taken hold.
Now, have a look over the beauty industry and from mascaras to lipsticks, face creams and shampoos is available in refillable, and highly innovative, form.
So what's placed on the pressure?
'I think Covid has had an optimistic impact on our approach to climate change,' says Priadka. 'We saw that the climate recovered a little during lockdown and individuals started to question their personal impact on environmental surroundings.'
'What we see in Europe is the fact that consumers are moving from being passive recipients to becoming passionate advocates, and even activists, demanding sustainable solutions,' agrees Jasmin Akpak, senior director at Herbal Essences, that has introduced a Good Refill system.
What's interesting about refills is the fact that it's not only specifically eco companies, but premium brands such as Dior and Clarins.
'This is a relocate the right direction, though it's responding to demand,' says Priadka. 'It's harder to alter from inside. Newer companies, with a clear sustainable premise, can provide the option immediately and can be transparent and confident regarding their eco-credentials.'
Some companies go a step further with refill stations. The Body Shop has these nationwide, and it is likely to have them in 500 stores after 2023. Faith in Nature also has them round the country.
And if you're able to still remember the sound of glass milk bottles clanking each morning, you'll be charmed by Circla, a London-based company operating a zones 1-2 beauty delivery service (via electric vehicle, obviously), which accumulates your empties when it drops off your reorders. Genius.
To start your re-fillable beauty journey, here are a few of our favourites.
Above & Beyond Everlasting Lip Balm
Lifetime-use aluminium cases with compostable, microplastic-free refills, in four chic colours and four sweet flavours.
Buy it for lb25 (for one case and three eco refills) at Above & Beyond
Refillable Makeup Palette from Benecos
Buy the empty palette and fill with products of your choice: blusher, highlighter, shadows and powders in recyclable aluminium containers.
Buy it for lb5.65 (makeup from lb3.95) from Beauty Naturals
Lush Vegan Lipstick refills
So cleverly packaged – a clever little reusable case, and naked wax refills inside a range of pretty colours. Remove the wax at the end of the lipstick and slot it into the empty container.
Buy refills for lb10 and case for lb8 from Lush
Merci Handy Refillable Shower Gel Tablets
Many products have a lots of of added water. These tablets dissolve in water inside a refillable glass bottle.
Buy it for lb14.99 from Merci Handy
Fussy Deodorant
A durable case with refills of solid deodorant, which contains magnesium hydroxide and those who are to neutralise odours. Five fresh flavours.
Buy it for lb13 (starter kit, lb6 refills) from Fussy
ESPA Essentials Collection
Refill pouches of deliciously scented lotions containing four essential oil blends.
Prices start at lb6 at ESPA
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream Refill
This refill of Tilbury's cult cream slots into the original glass jar. Also refills for lipsticks, bronzers and brow products.
Buy it for lb90 from Cult Beauty
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant: Canister
The brand's bestselling powder exfoliant. The refill is made with 92% less plastic.
Buy it for lb55 (refill lb49) from Dermalogica
