Earth Day 2021: Personal care and cosmetic packaging targets plastic reduction and carbon cuts

22 Apr 2021 --- In light of Earth Day 2021, many personal care and cosmetics brands are highlighting their actions against plastic pollution and toward more environmentally sustainable packaging.

PackagingInsights takes a look at trending sustainability themes and eco-conscious packaging solutions within this arena. 

Earth Day lands on April 22, with more than a billion people taking part around the globe. The event is an opportunity for companies and individuals to come together and take action against the growing threat of climate change and other environmental issues.

According to Innova Market Insights, the health of the population (41 percent) and the health of the planet (36 percent) are top concerns for consumers globally and becoming more closely intertwined as a result of COVID-19. 

“Fifty years ago, millions demanded action to protect the environment in the US. Today, we are working with partners and volunteers around the world to make an effort toward climate restoration on a global scale,” says Kathleen Rogers, president of Earth Day.

Earth Day against plastic pollution
The Earth Day organizers say they aim to change human attitudes about and behavior toward plastics pollution and throwaway culture. 

Rhyme & Reason is the first mainstream hair care brand to create a 100 percent recycled plastic cap.As part of Earth Day, the End Plastic Pollution campaign helps people understand the impacts of plastic pollution on human and ecosystem health and how everyday actions can lessen the problem. 

The campaign draws attention to the harmful effects of plastic on marine and human health, littering beaches and landscapes, clogging waste streams and landfills.

Through toolkits, calculators and other resources, Earth Day provides instruction on cutting plastic use and creating a healthier world. 

“Unfortunately, single-use plastics are so prevalent that trying to avoid them can seem hopeless. That’s why our campaign also focuses on systematic problems of plastic use, including the large-scale sources of plastic,” the organizers note.

Consumer insights on plastics
Earth Day comes as consumer concern about plastic pollution is mounting. According to the Innova Market Insights’ 2021 survey, half of US consumers (49 percent) regard packaging’s recyclability as its most crucial sustainability credential, followed by reusability (44 percent) and recycled material use (35 percent).

The market researcher also found that the majority of global consumers (54 percent) perceive plastic’s recyclability as average or poor. However, the majority (64 percent) also pinpoint consumer behavior as the main cause of the plastic pollution crisis.

Meanwhile, reusable packaging is increasingly recognized as crucial to waste reduction, with wide-ranging support from NGOs, regulatory bodies and consumers. 

Innova Market Insights notes that the majority of global consumers (52 percent) believe reusable packaging is the most sustainable model, followed by recyclable (50 percent), biodegradable (31 percent) and compostable (24 percent).

Carbon cutting strategies
Cosmetic and personal care brands are highlighting their environmental sustainability efforts in light of Earth Day, such as beauty brand Innersense Organic Beauty, partnering with Climate Neutral.

Climate Neutral is an NGO helping companies measure their carbon footprint, offset it by purchasing quality carbon credits, and reduce emissions.

In 2020, Innersense announced it is transitioning the majority of its clean hair care product line to Post Consumer Resin (PCR).Innova Market Insights notes that the majority of global consumers (52 percent) believe reusable packaging is the most sustainable.

“We join other brands who are taking the lead by addressing climate change at the micro-level. Offsetting our carbon emissions will allow us to help restore the climate and preserve it for future generations,” says Greg Starkman, Innersense’s founder. 

Physicians Formula also announced its support for Earth Day. In its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, the cosmetics company repackaged its top-selling product and Butter Bronzer with recyclable components and reduced packaging.

Moreover, the brand will plant a tree for every Butter Bronzer sold in April 2021.

“Planting trees across the world is one of the biggest and cheapest ways of taking CO2 out of the atmosphere to tackle the climate crisis,” comments Kathryn Stoddard, VP of marketing and development at Earth Day.

With Earth Day as a springboard, Garden of Eve makes its prime focus to reduce the carbon footprint of skin care production. Ingredients are prepared by natural methods – steam distillation of herbs for essential oils and hydrosols, cold-pressed carrier oils, and natural gas extracts.

In addition, products are packaged in hand-made fiber bags and bamboo boxes produced by a fair trade company in the Philippines. 

The finished products’ containers can be reused or recycled. Shipping supplies are also reusable, recyclable and biodegradable materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

Plastic bottle reductions
Earth Day also inspired global eco haircare brand Rhyme & Reason to call on consumers across the world to join their mission of “No New Plastic.”

The booming US$500 billion per year global personal care industry relies heavily on the use of plastic for product packaging. US consumers use 2,500,000 plastic bottles every hour, the company says. 

L’Oréal’s Garnier brand recently relaunched its Ultra Doux line of shampoos, which now come in a solid bar format and recyclable and FSC-certified cardboard packaging.Rhyme & Reason says it is the first mainstream hair care brand to create a 100 percent recycled plastic cap and is urging consumers to join their mission to make a more eco-conscious choice by not buying products made from virgin plastic. 

In the same spirit, Beauty for All Industries (BFA) is committing to eliminating 100 percent of virgin plastic waste by the end of 2030. In the next three years, it will come up with new ways of reducing the use of virgin plastic by 50 percent in all BFA-owned brands and begin to influence its brand partners’ material choices.

Circular solutions
Meanwhile, L’Oréal’s Garnier brand recently relaunched its Ultra Doux line of shampoos, which now come in a solid bar format and recyclable and FSC-certified cardboard packaging. 

Also, popular skin care brand Burt’s Bees is now powered by renewable electricity and made climate action commitments, while 100 percent of its packaging is recyclable. 

US-based Eco Lips launched a plastic-free, 100 percent plant-based tube pod for lip balm formulations, dubbed PlantPod.

Haircare brand Aveda unveiled a limited-edition Shampure Nurturing Shampoo Bar for Earth Day, which features zero plastic packaging. The carton is 100 percent post-consumer recycled FSC-certified fiber. By purchasing this shampoo bar, consumers can help save two tons of plastic, equivalent to 180,000 water bottles, the brand indicates. 

Lastly, Emma Lewisham launched refillable pouches for its Supernatural Vitamin A+ Face Oil, Illuminating Oil Cleanser and Illuminating Exfoliant. Consumers can now refill empty bottles to keep them in circulation. For every four items shipped to TerraCycle through the Beauty Circle, senders receive a US$15 voucher. 

By Kristiana Lalou