Plastic has long been a staple in the beauty industry, serving various purposes, especially in packaging. However, times have changed, and trends have followed suit. Consumers and other stakeholders now disdain the excessive use of plastic due to its impact on the environment. Many are shifting to sustainable alternatives in all areas where plastic was previously or currently used.
Makeup compacts or cases are among the most crucial areas where plastic is used in the beauty industry. However, these products are now being made with eco-friendly alternatives like metal and bamboo. More brands are adopting these innovative materials, prompting discussions about the future of makeup packaging. For many, the goal is zero-waste cosmetics, where every process is optimized for sustainability.
Environmental Impacts of Plastic Makeup Cases
Much of the push for sustainable packaging is caused by the environmental impacts of non-biodegradable materials like plastic. While being a common material for packaging, especially in the beauty industry, plastic poses a huge threat to our environment, much of which is starting to manifest in unimaginable climate change.
Notably, plastic is made from petroleum-based materials that take hundreds to thousands of years to decompose in the environment. Despite rising concerns about the impact of dumping plastic items in the environment, most countries have little option but to dump them in oceans and landfills.
In response to the environmental impacts of plastic makeup cases, sustainability advocates are clamoring for brands to embrace biodegradable, recyclable, and refillable materials. Refillable beauty products are particularly gaining ground as top brands offer consumers the option to refill their containers after exhausting the content.
The Shift to Sustainable Alternatives
The biggest takeaway from discussions of the environmental impacts of plastic compacts is the considerable efforts stakeholders are making to explore alternatives. In this section, we’ll discuss relevant issues related to the gradual shift to sustainable materials such as bamboo for compacts.
Regulatory and Industry Trends
Governments are pushing the shift to sustainability in most industries, including beauty. A common approach is to ban single-use plastics, forcing businesses to either find ways to reuse containers or adopt more eco-friendly materials.
Consumer Demands
Consumer demands guide much of the industry’s advancement. For now, an increasing number of beauty consumers are gravitating towards eco-friendly products and brands that exemplify sustainability. This market trend encourages many brands to adopt eco-friendly practices, including in their choice of materials for product packaging.
Benefits of Using Metal and Bamboo Cases
Of all possible options, bamboo and metal are two leading choices for many brands seeking alternatives to plastic compacts. While the two are different in their unique contribution to sustainability, they still offer similar benefits. On specific traits, metal compacts have the unique advantage of being recyclable, while bamboo ones are better for being biodegradable and renewable. Now, let’s check out their common benefits.
- Durability: Both materials are highly durable, making them suitable for multiple uses. Bamboo makeup cases are particularly lightweight, making them perfect for carrying around.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Aesthetics are a key consideration in the beauty industry, and brands must always gravitate toward the latest trends. In the metal vs. plastic compacts battle, the former is currently winning among those who want a luxurious feel in their beauty products.
- Sustainability Impact: Speaking of trends, sustainable beauty packaging is all the rave now, and these materials fit right in. For better context, metal is recyclable, making it usable for a long time and reducing the strain on virgin resources. Bamboo, on the other hand, is compostable, reducing waste.
Challenges of Using Metal and Bamboo Cases
Eco-friendly makeup trends like using metal and bamboo cases are commendable and noticeably increasing. However, there are still some barriers to fully adopting these materials. The most notable is manufacturing costs, which serve as a hindrance for many brands looking to make their products more eco-friendly.
To use materials like metal and bamboo, you must prepare your infrastructure to handle the change and adapt it to existing processes. Changing your entire setup to facilitate the transition might also cost more, making it impossible for small and medium-sized brands.
How Major Beauty Brands are Adapting to the Shift
Discussions are not enough to capture the green beauty innovations taking over the industry. While some are still in the consideration stage, many brands are taking action to improve the sustainability of their operations. For instance, these major beauty brands are among those that are replacing plastic with eco-friendly materials like metal and bamboo to package their products.
- Lush: Uses biodegradable materials in a bid to achieve zero waste.
- Elate Beauty: Uses refillable bamboo and metal cases.
- Kjaer Weis: Also uses refillable cases for some products.
- Hermes Beauty: Has luxurious refillable metal packaging that gives off a premium feel.
Concluding Thoughts on the Death of Plastic Compacts
The era of plastic packaging is gradually coming to an end as industries phase it out. Sustainable alternatives are taking their place, with metal and bamboo being the leading options in the beauty industry. To wrap it up, the future does not seem very far away, as major brands lead the way with innovative compacts made from these sustainable materials.
