[INFORMATIVE] How the Beauty Industry Affects the Environment
How the Beauty Industry Affects the Environment
By: Haerim Park
The Environmental Footprint of the Beauty Industry
Plastic Packaging: An Ongoing Concern
Some of the most visible problems with the beauty industry, specifically plastic-related, are those of waste. Beauty products are known to be vastly over packaged, often in plastics, glass, and cardboard, which all serve in part to denote a sense of luxury and exclusiveness. According to a report by Zero Waste Europe, the global cosmetics industry generates over 120 billion units of packaging a year, which is often not recyclable and therefore ends either in landfills or, worse still, in the oceans. Plastic is especially pernicious because it doesn't biodegrade—instead, it breaks down into microplastics that persist for centuries in the environment and show up in even the most remote corners of the planet.
Waste is not the only environmental problem associated with plastic packaging. Plastic manufacture tends to have a large greenhouse gas footprint, which normally exacerbates global warming. In addition, plastic disposal through incineration or landfills leads to the leaching of hazardous chemicals into the environment, thus posing danger to wildlife and human health alike.
Chemical Pollution: The Hidden Hazard
The use of a majority of the chemicals in several products further worsens the beauty industry's impact on environmental degradation. Parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, incorporated in cosmetics and personal care items, mostly come from petrochemicals and can result in environmental harm. When washed off, these products go into water systems, where they accumulate and disrupt aquatic ecosystems.
For instance, microbeads, present in cleansers and exfoliators, were detected to enter water treatment facilities, accumulating in oceans and lakes, and being eaten by marine animals. This accumulated and resulted in a negative effect up the line. Although microbead usage in many countries has been banned, there are several beauty products that continue to use chemicals that are hazardous. While over 1,300 chemicals have been prohibited by the European Union member states on the grounds of safety from use in cosmetics, many still are allowed in other different parts of the world.
Besides, beauty products are made from processes that harm the environment and are unsustainable. Palm oil, which is present in most cosmetics, is associated with deforestation and the destruction of habitat in the tropical belt, threatening biodiversity. The extraction of mica, a mineral added to most cosmetic products to provide a shimmer effect, is also linked to child labor and environmental destruction in countries where it is mined, such as India.
The Role of Consumers and Companies
Considering the volume of the environmental footprint of the beauty industry, sustainability is the shared responsibility of both consumers and cosmetic companies. These shifts are already happening through awareness and making changes to practices that are more eco-friendly.
Consumer Choices
Consumers are now being sensitized to the environmental effects of their buying decisions and demanding more sustainable kinds of products. This is showcased through the growth in the trend of "clean beauty" pertaining to natural and nontoxic ingredients, besides minimal packaging. According to Grand View Research, the global clean beauty market was valued at USD 4.67 billion in 2022 and is expected to experience significant growth over the forecast period from 2023 to 2030.
Another way consumers strongly push for sustainability is the minimal amount of packaging and the role of packaging in recyclability. Other beauty trends regard the rise in refillable products, which diminish waste for as long as the consumer holds onto the initial container. Lastly, look for certification by groups including the Environmental Working Group or the Leaping Bunny Program, both of which go a long way to help ensure that the products meet strict environmental and ethical criteria.
Another important form of consumer response is to seek out companies and brands that take responsibility for transparent standards and sustainability within their supply chain, such as products free of chemicals that are toxic in their production, products made using fair labor conditions, and products sourced with fair-trade principles. This trend will continue to drive demand for the production of other products with higher ethical and environmental standards.
Corporate Responsibility
Sustainability challenges for the beauty care industry cannot be met by consumer demand alone; serious company-led initiatives are needed. Fortunately, an increasing number of beauty brands are rising to the challenge, recognizing that sustainability represents more than a moral imperative; it is an opportunity.
Another big change happening in the industry is the transition to sustainable packaging. These days, many businesses consider using such materials as biodegradable plastics, recycled glass, and even packing products from the plant-based one, including sugarcane and cornstarch. Some of the brands that have gone this direction are Lush and The Body Shop, which have introduced "naked" products free from packaging, such as solid shampoos and soaps.
Apart from packaging, there are also re-formulations of products across companies to reduce environmental impacts. These include the elimination of harmful chemicals in total formulation, the re-invention of super-formulated products with all sustainably sourced ingredients, and a cutback in water usage during manufacture. For instance, in the creation of beauty products, there are now 'waterless' offerings—solid cleansers and powders—which have a much smaller footprint than traditional liquid products.
Companies also try to ensure that the sourcing of their ingredients is ethical and sustainable. For example, Aveda is definitely committed to getting its palm oil through certified sustainable resources, as are L'Oreal and other leading brands. Companies invest in every possible way to have traceable supply chains; in fact, many companies like Lush, The Body Shop, and Unilever are now sourcing mica and shea butter responsibly. The others are also making consort with environmental organizations to help offset the carbon emissions from conservation.
Challenges and the Journey Forward
Ironically, the strides in ensuring the reality of a sustainable beauty industry present even more challenges. One major challenge is the lack of some control measures and certification. Not having standardized regulations and certifications can prove it very hard for a consumer to ever differentiate a genuinely sustainable product from a greenwashed one.
Moreover, such moves toward sustainability can be easy for most big beauty names, but for their smaller counterparts, this remains unattainable due to financial limitations. This makes one think about how to ensure that the transition to sustainability is inclusive and fair in every way.
Finally, there is the challenge of changing consumer behavior on a large scale. While awareness is growing, many consumers still prioritize convenience and cost over sustainability. To change that, widespread systems start to value long-term environmental health over short-term gratification.
Some of the most visible problems with the beauty industry, specifically plastic-related, are those of waste. Beauty products are known to be vastly over packaged, often in plastics, glass, and cardboard, which all serve in part to denote a sense of luxury and exclusiveness. According to a report by Zero Waste Europe, the global cosmetics industry generates over 120 billion units of packaging a year, which is often not recyclable and therefore ends either in landfills or, worse still, in the oceans. Plastic is especially pernicious because it doesn't biodegrade—instead, it breaks down into microplastics that persist for centuries in the environment and show up in even the most remote corners of the planet.
Waste is not the only environmental problem associated with plastic packaging. Plastic manufacture tends to have a large greenhouse gas footprint, which normally exacerbates global warming. In addition, plastic disposal through incineration or landfills leads to the leaching of hazardous chemicals into the environment, thus posing danger to wildlife and human health alike.
Chemical Pollution: The Hidden Hazard
The use of a majority of the chemicals in several products further worsens the beauty industry's impact on environmental degradation. Parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, incorporated in cosmetics and personal care items, mostly come from petrochemicals and can result in environmental harm. When washed off, these products go into water systems, where they accumulate and disrupt aquatic ecosystems.
For instance, microbeads, present in cleansers and exfoliators, were detected to enter water treatment facilities, accumulating in oceans and lakes, and being eaten by marine animals. This accumulated and resulted in a negative effect up the line. Although microbead usage in many countries has been banned, there are several beauty products that continue to use chemicals that are hazardous. While over 1,300 chemicals have been prohibited by the European Union member states on the grounds of safety from use in cosmetics, many still are allowed in other different parts of the world.
Besides, beauty products are made from processes that harm the environment and are unsustainable. Palm oil, which is present in most cosmetics, is associated with deforestation and the destruction of habitat in the tropical belt, threatening biodiversity. The extraction of mica, a mineral added to most cosmetic products to provide a shimmer effect, is also linked to child labor and environmental destruction in countries where it is mined, such as India.
The Role of Consumers and Companies
Considering the volume of the environmental footprint of the beauty industry, sustainability is the shared responsibility of both consumers and cosmetic companies. These shifts are already happening through awareness and making changes to practices that are more eco-friendly.
Consumer Choices
Consumers are now being sensitized to the environmental effects of their buying decisions and demanding more sustainable kinds of products. This is showcased through the growth in the trend of "clean beauty" pertaining to natural and nontoxic ingredients, besides minimal packaging. According to Grand View Research, the global clean beauty market was valued at USD 4.67 billion in 2022 and is expected to experience significant growth over the forecast period from 2023 to 2030.
Another way consumers strongly push for sustainability is the minimal amount of packaging and the role of packaging in recyclability. Other beauty trends regard the rise in refillable products, which diminish waste for as long as the consumer holds onto the initial container. Lastly, look for certification by groups including the Environmental Working Group or the Leaping Bunny Program, both of which go a long way to help ensure that the products meet strict environmental and ethical criteria.
Another important form of consumer response is to seek out companies and brands that take responsibility for transparent standards and sustainability within their supply chain, such as products free of chemicals that are toxic in their production, products made using fair labor conditions, and products sourced with fair-trade principles. This trend will continue to drive demand for the production of other products with higher ethical and environmental standards.
Corporate Responsibility
Sustainability challenges for the beauty care industry cannot be met by consumer demand alone; serious company-led initiatives are needed. Fortunately, an increasing number of beauty brands are rising to the challenge, recognizing that sustainability represents more than a moral imperative; it is an opportunity.
Another big change happening in the industry is the transition to sustainable packaging. These days, many businesses consider using such materials as biodegradable plastics, recycled glass, and even packing products from the plant-based one, including sugarcane and cornstarch. Some of the brands that have gone this direction are Lush and The Body Shop, which have introduced "naked" products free from packaging, such as solid shampoos and soaps.
Apart from packaging, there are also re-formulations of products across companies to reduce environmental impacts. These include the elimination of harmful chemicals in total formulation, the re-invention of super-formulated products with all sustainably sourced ingredients, and a cutback in water usage during manufacture. For instance, in the creation of beauty products, there are now 'waterless' offerings—solid cleansers and powders—which have a much smaller footprint than traditional liquid products.
Companies also try to ensure that the sourcing of their ingredients is ethical and sustainable. For example, Aveda is definitely committed to getting its palm oil through certified sustainable resources, as are L'Oreal and other leading brands. Companies invest in every possible way to have traceable supply chains; in fact, many companies like Lush, The Body Shop, and Unilever are now sourcing mica and shea butter responsibly. The others are also making consort with environmental organizations to help offset the carbon emissions from conservation.
Challenges and the Journey Forward
Ironically, the strides in ensuring the reality of a sustainable beauty industry present even more challenges. One major challenge is the lack of some control measures and certification. Not having standardized regulations and certifications can prove it very hard for a consumer to ever differentiate a genuinely sustainable product from a greenwashed one.
Moreover, such moves toward sustainability can be easy for most big beauty names, but for their smaller counterparts, this remains unattainable due to financial limitations. This makes one think about how to ensure that the transition to sustainability is inclusive and fair in every way.
Finally, there is the challenge of changing consumer behavior on a large scale. While awareness is growing, many consumers still prioritize convenience and cost over sustainability. To change that, widespread systems start to value long-term environmental health over short-term gratification.
The environmental impact of the industry is undeniable—but so, too, is the potential for positive change. In turn, the beauty industry finds itself at a crossroads as awareness grows for both customers and companies regarding the urgent need for it to be sustainable. With innovation, transparency, and responsibility on board, we can decrease our environmental footprint and work towards a better, sustainable future. But this will only come through the might of collective action and continued education and commitment to putting the planet first. Only this way can we ensure that the pursuit of Beauty is not at the expense of our environment.
Works Cited:
European Commission. "Ban on Animal Testing." *European Commission*, 2023, ec.europa.eu/health/animal-testing-cosmetics_en.
Grand View Research. “Clean Beauty Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product, By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030.” *Grand View Research*, March 2023, www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/clean-beauty-market.
Zero Waste Europe. “Unwrapped: How Throwaway Plastic Is Failing to Solve Europe’s Waste Crisis.” *Zero Waste Europe*, 2021, www.zerowasteeurope.eu/2021/03/unwrapped-how-throwaway-plastic-is-failing-to-solve-europes-waste-crisis/.
Here's how you would cite the article in MLA format: "Assessing the Future of Sustainable Cosmetic Packaging." *Beauty Packaging*, 1 Apr. 2024, www.beautypackaging.com/issues/2024-04-01/view_features/assessing-the-future-of-sustainable-cosmetic-packaging/.
"Ending Cosmetics Animal Testing." *Humane Society of the United States*, www.humanesociety.org/all-our-fights/ending-cosmetics-animal-testing.Ludmir, Clara. "How Beauty Retailers Like Sephora and Douglas Are Embracing Sustainability in 2023." *Forbes*, 22 Sept. 2023, www.forbes.com/sites/claraludmir/2023/09/22/how-beauty-retailers-like-sephora-and-douglas-are-embracing-sustainability-in-2023/.
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