Amidst the bottles of pinks and purples, emitting flowery scents and promising eternal youth, lies a darker reality—the environmental footprint left behind by the cosmetics industry. It's time to peel back the layers of glitter and pretty packaging to reveal the ugly truths lurking beneath.
The Harsh Reality of Cosmetic Waste
Did you know that the global beauty industry churns out over 120 million units of packaging each year, with packaging accounting for a staggering 70% of its waste? In the United States alone, a mind-boggling 7.9 billion units of rigid plastic were created for the cosmetic industry. These figures paint a grim picture of excess and waste that cannot be ignored.
While recycling programmes offer a glimmer of hope, the truth is bleak. Only a dismal 9% of plastics actually get recycled, leaving the rest to languish in landfills or pollute our oceans and waterways. With tubes, dispensers, and various types of plastic posing recycling challenges, the cosmetics industry contributes significantly to this global crisis.
Microplastics, Microbeads, and Glitter: The Tiny Menace
But it's not just the big bottles contributing to the problem; small plastic titbits are equally culpable. Microplastics, defined as pieces less than five millimetres long, infiltrate our water systems, posing a grave threat to aquatic life and, ultimately, to us. Microbeads, once ubiquitous in body scrubs and exfoliants, have thankfully faced bans, but loopholes persist, allowing these microplastics to slip through regulatory cracks.
And then there's glitter—the sparkly menace disguised as harmless shimmer that finds its way into our water bodies. Despite its enchanting allure, conventional glitter is nothing more than tiny pieces of plastic, wreaking havoc on our environment and wildlife.
In an attempt to make things greener and reduce the overall waste generated by the Health and Beauty Cosmetics Industry, governments around the world are introducing strict regulations. For example:
European Union (EU):
Microplastics Ban: The EU has implemented a ban on the use of microplastics in rinse-off cosmetic and personal care products. This ban, which came into effect in July 2018, prohibits the use of microbeads and other solid microplastic particles in products such as exfoliating scrubs, toothpaste, and shower gels.
Single-Use Plastics Directive: The EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, adopted in 2019, targets a wide range of single-use plastic products, including packaging items commonly used in the cosmetics industry. The directive aims to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics and promote the use of more sustainable alternatives.
Packaging Waste Regulations: The EU has established regulations governing the management of packaging waste, including requirements for recycling and recovery targets. These regulations aim to minimise the environmental impact of packaging materials used in the cosmetics industry and promote the use of recyclable and biodegradable packaging.
United States (US):
Microbead-Free Waters Act: In 2015, the US enacted the Microbead-Free Waters Act, which prohibits the manufacture and sale of rinse-off cosmetic products containing plastic microbeads. This legislation aims to prevent microplastics from entering waterways and harming aquatic ecosystems.
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): The TSCA, administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), regulates the manufacture, importation, processing, and distribution of chemicals, including those used in cosmetics and personal care products. The TSCA enables the EPA to assess the environmental and health risks associated with chemicals and take appropriate regulatory action to mitigate those risks.
Packaging Regulations: While there are no federal regulations specifically targeting packaging waste in the cosmetics industry, several states have implemented their own packaging laws and initiatives aimed at reducing waste and promoting recycling. Additionally, initiatives such as the Sustainable Packaging Coalition work to promote sustainable packaging practices across various industries, including cosmetics.
United Kingdom (UK):
Microbeads Ban: Building on the EU's efforts, the UK implemented its own ban on manufacturing and selling rinse-off cosmetic and personal care products containing microbeads in 2018. This ban prohibits using plastic microbeads in products such as exfoliating scrubs, toothpaste, and shower gels, helping protect marine environments from plastic pollution.
Plastic Packaging Tax: In 2022, the UK introduced a Plastic Packaging Tax, which imposes a levy on the production and importation of plastic packaging containing less than 30% recycled content. This tax aims to incentivize the use of recycled materials in packaging and reduce the consumption of virgin plastic, including in cosmetics packaging.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations: The UK government has announced plans to introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations for packaging, including cosmetic packaging. These regulations will require producers to take greater responsibility for the environmental impact of their packaging, including by financing the collection and recycling of packaging waste.
Similar trends are visible with regulations in
Canada: Regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) enable the assessment and regulation of chemicals to minimize environmental impact and address packaging waste and recycling to promote sustainability.
Australia: The Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989 ensures the safety and labelling of cosmetics, and the Australian Packaging Covenant aims to reduce packaging's environmental impact.
South Korea: Act on Registration, Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances (K-REACH) assesses chemical safety in cosmetics. South Korea's packaging waste regulations, including the Framework Act on Resource Circulation, promote resource efficiency.
China: The Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR) ensures cosmetics safety and quality, and China's Circular Economy Promotion Law addresses packaging waste to encourage resource efficiency.
Manufacturers may perceive these regulations as potential barriers, as they impose additional requirements and compliance costs on their operations. Compliance with regulations may stifle innovation by imposing constraints on the types of ingredients and materials used in cosmetics and personal care products, limiting manufacturers' ability to develop new formulations and products. Expert support from Crème de la Crème Regulatory and Quality Compliance Consultancy helps these manufacturers navigate the regulatory challenges.
Our experts provide 360-degree support to health and beauty cosmetics manufacturers by:
Creating and implementing relevant strategies to navigate Regulatory Requirements
Conducting comprehensive product assessments and reviewing ingredient lists, labelling, manufacturing practices, and quality control procedures.
Identifying potential compliance risks and gaps; Crème de la Crème can help manufacturers develop risk mitigation strategies to minimise the likelihood of regulatory violations and associated penalties.
Guiding manufacturers through the product registration process, including preparing and submitting necessary documentation to regulatory authorities.
Providing support to manufacturers in the event of regulatory audits or inspections; including conducting pre-audit assessments, preparing documentation, and facilitating communication with regulatory authorities.
Ready to chat about crafting a zero-waste future for your cosmetics brand? Get in touch - https://www.creme.uk.com/contact-us