Making the ‘Eco-Transition’—What's New in Sustainable Cosmetic Packaging?

An in-depth look at sustainable packaging challenges, opportunities and solutions in the beauty world shows that while legislation continues to take effect, education grows and consumer habits change, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

Still, sustainable packaging can no longer be an option or a ‘nice to have’ for beauty brands.

Two growing stipulations: ‘Circularity is in; greenwashing is out.’

Just a few years ago, a small minority of grocery shoppers brought their own bags with them to tote their food home. Then a 2014 ban on single-use plastic bags took effect in California, spread to 8 additional states, and raised consciousness across the nation. Now it’s common (at least in the New York tri-state area) to see customers with re-usable, colorful cloth or paper bags under their arms or in their carts. It’s a small, but certain indication that consumer habits can change.

We are now seeing something similar develop in the beauty world where single-use packaging is undergoing a huge shift on numerous levels. Recyclability, re-usables, and refillables are becoming more acceptable, if not yet the norm.

In any case, mass compliance is a huge challenge on many levels—but also one that’s necessary not only for planetary health and consumer demands, but on the bright side, one that offers huge rewards for brands and suppliers that “get it right.”

Why has sustainable packaging become increasingly important over the last two years or so?

In part, it’s due to the approach of the year 2025, which many brands, such as Estee Lauder, (and governments) have targeted as a time to fulfill impressive results in a turnover to sustainable packaging. P&G Beauty said 90% of its packaging will be recyclable or reusable by 2025.

See also: Mary Kay reported its sustainability goals for 2030.

Sentiment is also growing among consumers. At this year’s CEW State of Beauty, Sarah Jindal, senior innovation and insights analyst, Beauty & Personal Care at Mintel, noted how “the pandemic has left lasting changes on consumers globally,” citing the changing role of identity and the importance of ethics.

In the past two years, she said, morality has taken focus as consumers demand progress around sustainability, and take action for the greater good.

“As young activists like Greta Thunberg and Mitzi Jonelle Tan resist lip service and urge decisive action, brands have an opportunity to connect and guide consumers and give them positive reasons to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle,” said Jindal, adding that measurable metrics for true transparency are growing and measuring sustainability goals.

In addition, Jindal said, “Environmental sustainability needs to be shown by brands in order for consumers’ expectations to be met. This includes forward thinking, transparent and authentic brands, and the inclusion of sustainable packaging and sustainability goals.” (See more from Mintel in sidebar.)

A recent report from Research and Markets shows that the overall global green packaging market is expected to reach $441.41 billion by 2028. Expansion is pegged at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2020 to 2028.

The report projects that the market will continue to be driven “by the growing consumer demand for environment friendly alternatives to non-sustainable packaging products. Green packaging is witnessing growth due to rising environmental concerns caused by the packaging waste that ends up in landfills, polluting the environment.”

The green packaging types in the report are categorized as recyclable, reusable and degradable. They are either used in the same value chain or degraded in nature without releasing harmful toxins, thus helping companies to reduce their negative impact on the environment.

Industry Opinions Vary—Suppliers Weigh In

Industry opinions vary on how to best proceed with reusables and refillables, with one supplier recently saying, “Marketing and Sales don’t always agree…” However, most concur that education is key to consumer acceptance of non-single-use packages.

Glenn Tatem, vice president of package development, Maesa, tells Beauty Packaging that the greatest challenge, but also opportunity, is to build brands that will offer consumers the ability to buy beauty products built for reusability, at mass levels. “We need to build beautiful packaging that will outlast and outperform single-use packages. Education will be needed to show customers this benefit and get them used to a circular model. This will take work from packaging designers, engineers, marketers—and in very close partnership with retailers. The entire chain needs to be built together.” 

At Roberts Beauty, Stephen Corsi, vice president packaging development, agrees, saying, “The biggest challenge is to match solutions to consumer expectations and brand messaging at an acceptable price.” To reach these goals, he says education will continue to be extremely important, particularly between brands and their consumers.

Also instrumental, and “probably the most significant [challenge] however,” adds Corsi, “would be the sustainability mandates from organizations such as Sephora, L’Oréal, and Credo Beauty. “Directly or indirectly, these seem to be driving a sizable part of the demand we see from brands that come to us for solutions.”

Retailers Support Eco-Friendly Beauty

Retailers continue to back earth-friendly beauty products and packaging.

In March, Target largely expanded its eco-friendly beauty portfolio by launching Target Zero, a new initiative “that responds to growing guest interest in products that aim to replace single-use packaging to reduce waste.” 

A Target Zero icon in stores and online signals products and packaging—starting with Beauty, Personal Care and Household Essentials aisles—that are designed to be refillable, reusable or compostable, made from recycled content, or made from materials that reduce the use of plastic. 

Participating brands include Burt’s Bees, PLUS, Pacifica and more. Perhaps prompting the move—Ulta is continuing its partnership with Target by adding 250 more Ulta Beauty shops at Target in 2022.

In addition, Target's Vista, CA store has applied for net zero energy certification from the International Living Future Institute. The store has been retrofitted with solar panels and other features to generate more renewable energy than it needs to operate.

Vetting of all sorts is becoming more popular and pervasive among brands and consumers, essentially shifting the onus and responsibility to a retailer or supplier that has set standards that must be followed to meet its sustainable packaging criteria. 

One example is EcoVadis, which awards business sustainability ratings based on a detailed set of criteria—based on: environmental impact; labor and human rights; ethics; and sustainable purchasing policy. A brand that chooses an EcoVadis-rated supplier can then feel assured that their package passes strict muster. B-Corp and EcoVadis have been the top coveted sustainability certifications in the past couple of years, but there are also many others.

The pending requirements and complex nature of sustainable materials and packaging have led many brands and suppliers to work together, creating partnerships of various types.

Genevieve Lawrence, director of sustainability and impact at sustainable global design firm MaCher, says a significant change over the last couple of years has been “the formation of 30 Certified B Corporations across the globe, in the beauty industry, coming together to form the B Beauty Coalition.”

Lawrence explains, “The coalition recognizes that addressing packaging impact means working together in a pre-competitive environment with all stakeholders from supply chain, brands and end-of-life recovery.” MaCher received the Platinum rating from EcoVadis and now belongs to the top 1% of the best scoring companies in terms of sustainability performance.

Beauty Execs Note Challenges & Goals

Weighing in with a global brand perspective, Jill Tomandl, vice president product development and brand sustainability lead, Smashbox, Estée Lauder Companies, says, “Brands, suppliers, retailers, and consumers must work together to create systemic change. Brands must engage and educate consumers about packaging sustainability including recycling, refills, materials, reuse and recovery through storytelling, trends, claims, details, certifications and instructions to change mindsets and behaviors. 

Ultimately, says Tomandl, “Sustainability must become the new ‘cool.’”

In such a rapid-moving market, much progress has been made with matching sustainability with attractive containers, and a rising trend in Luxe Packaging meeting Sustainability goals, as evidenced by brands including Chanel, La Prairie, Kjaer Weis and many others.

Adam Ryan, head of the international Pentawards, says the judging committee has seen an “increasing sophistication of sustainable packaging.”

Ryan explains, “We know from consumers that they increasingly want to engage with brands that can demonstrate their sustainable credentials. With this in mind, sustainable packaging can no longer be an option or a ‘nice to have’ for beauty brands."

Ryan continues, "The biggest challenge the industry now has is working out how to incorporate sustainability into their brand and packaging in a way that rings true for consumers’ impression of the brand. Crucially, they need to avoid greenwashing  at all costs as consumers are increasingly savvy about sniffing that out and are willing to boycott or take to social media to shout about inauthentic brands."

He adds, "The big opportunity is to fold sustainability into your packaging in such a way that it takes consumers with you on your journey to becoming more sustainable, builds a story and narrative around it that elevates your brand in the long run.”

Megan Douglas, founder/product creator, The Organic Skin Co., notes: “The last two years tells us that companies who want to remain relevant will need to do away with one-use plastic packaging. Instead, in an increasingly educated marketplace, they will need to embrace a more circular model, with packaging that is alternately reusable, recyclable, upcyclable, biodegradable, compostable and—most important of all—good for our blue planet.

Latest Offerings from Suppliers in Sustainable Beauty Packaging

To learn about the latest advances in sustainable packaging technology and materials, we reached out to numerous beauty packaging suppliers.

Following is a look at their capabilities and offerings, from PCR to paper, biodegradables to mono-materials.

Bottles & Pumps in PET, PCR & More

Inoac Packaging has provided bottles and jars molded in mechanically recycled PET for over 20 years. In 2020, they received ISCC certification making Inoac the first ISCC-certified North American personal care blow molder. 

Al Lustrino, president, Inoac Packaging Group, says, “This certification allows us to manufacture packaging utilizing the newest chemically recycled PET from Eastman Chemical.” He adds, “The past two years have seen a steady increase in demand for materials that have been diverted from landfills and incinerators.”  

Lustrino talks about how the technology has evolved, saying, “The biggest challenge when using PCR materials in the past was the aesthetic and performance accommodations that were required by the brands. The introduction of chemically recycled materials offers the environmental benefits of post-consumer resins without any of the sacrifices dictated by the mechanical recycling process.”

He says, “Inoac Packaging is at the forefront of utilizing chemically recycled PET in all of our packaging options. In addition to our heavy wall packaging, Inoac now offers the benefit of chemically recycled resins in our new thin wall packages which use less material, are lighter and accommodate more dispensing options.”

Yonwoo/PKG says they provide packaging solutions that follow the 3 pillars of sustainability: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Reduce: complete packages with reduced gram weights as well as with PCR (less virgin plastic); Reuse: a wide range of refill packaging in multiple capacities and formats; Recycle: all polyolefin systems that are recycle ready.

Tara Karsten, sales director and key commercial sustainability lead, Yonwoo/PKG, says, “The incorporation of PCR material is the most in demand by our brand partners that are looking for sustainable packaging solutions.”   

What has been Yonwoo/PKG’s greatest sustainable packaging achievement in the past couple of  years? Karsten refers to the supplier’s One Material Bellows Pump—a 100% polyolefin system available in multiple dosages: 0.15-, 0.2-, 0.5-, 1-, 2- and 3cc.

“Functionally,” says Karsten, “the One Material Bellows Pump is comparable to our traditional CV pump, which is the market leader for reliable, consistent, smooth and powerful dispensing.” Like the CV pump, the One Material Bellows Pump can dispense high viscosity formulas of up to 200,000 cps.  It can be utilized in virtually all Yonwoo/PKG’s existing airless and atmospheric dispensing solutions. “When combined with our existing PP and/or PET platforms, the result is a recycle ready package,” explains Karsten.

Sustainable Packaging Options Without Sacrifice

Sunny Sontakke, COO and VP sales & marketing, Global Packaging, says, the company is doing its part to provide more sustainable options that make closing the loop more accessible to their clients. “We do our best to seek out innovative solutions that will help our clients to choose a more sustainable option without any sacrifices in cost or quality,” says Sontakke.

Currently, brands are largely requesting usage of PCR and refillable components, says Sontakke.  “This encourages clients to be mindful of their personal usage and disposal habits.” Alternative materials to plastic are also available to offer along with Global Packaging’s “current strategies toward sustainability, to deeply address the weaknesses in plastic.”

Global is currently offering mono-material, paper, and thin laminate tubes in addition to various PCR components. Sontakke says, “We seek more sustainable alternatives without affecting the quality and security of the packaging.” Recently, the supplier created innovative sustainable packaging for the Kopari brand: a double wall jar with outer material in thick wall PET and all other parts in PP, with a recyclable inner jar. “Thus, the entire component is not only recyclable, but can also use recycled material and is also refillable, which is a perfect sustainability story,” says Sontakke. 

Virospack has seen a dramatic rise in the use of PCRs in the past few years, as well as the introduction of wood and bio-based material into the word of cosmetics, according to Jordi Salas, technical manager. He believes the market is now committed to sustainability, and points to the supplier’s Wood Dropper Cap as an example of new developments with sustainability as the main objective. He says, “It was the first and only dropper with a single-piece wooden cap, thus reducing two processes in its manufacturing and being consequently more respectful of our planet.”

Virospack offers a wide range of droppers with three components (bulb, cap and pipette) made with PCR materials, reducing the CO2 emissions and being more respectful of the environment. Their latest development is a PCR dropper, in which all components are produced of material with a high percentage of PCR and with the benefit of being recyclable. There is a wide range of models available in addition to the option of PCR glass bottles.

Zignago offers products with up to 60% PCR glass content, facilities powered by renewable energy and ‘Solidarity Sourcing.’ According to Kelly Gardi, vice president, they have seen high demand for Zignago’s stock items with 60% PCR glass.  

How Maesa Hits the Mark for Its Beauty Brand Partners

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is a pillar of Maesa’s corporate strategy. Maesa’s Tatem tells Beauty Packaging, “As part of our mission to bring the future into the present, we are committed to making proactive choices in our journey to environmental neutrality and consumer wellness. Maesa has established an Environmental Leadership committee that is responsible for ensuring we are good citizens to the Earth and that we remain on the cutting edge of environmental sustainability.”

Tatem says, “Modern consumers are putting their dollars behind companies that are truly living and breathing sustainability values. Social and environmental impact are driving the conversations.

All of Maesa’s brands are modern, relevant brands and thus need to address this consumer desire. Each brand has its own way of tackling sustainability. Some take a piecemeal approach, but more and  more, we’re seeing brands taking a holistic approach, measuring and minimizing their total environmental impact and footprint, across product, packaging, and total supply chain operations. 

Maesa recently launched Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s haircare line, Anomaly, “which has sustainability front and center.” The Anomaly bottle for shampoo and conditioner is light weighted, minimizing the gram weight of plastic—and is made from 100% rPET—or 100% “plastic trash” as the brand likes to say. The front and back label are “wash off” that exceeds APR Critical Guidance, and the label liner is 90% PCR PET. “For a high-performance haircare line with an accessible $5.99 retail price point, this is a notable achievement,” says Tatem.  

Suppliers Offer Biodegradable Compostable Resin

The development of alternative packaging materials has been critical to the advancement of sustainable packaging.

A new division of CTK Korea, CTK Bio Canada is a Canadian “cleantech” company that offers customized sustainable solutions under one roof by converting waste into compostable plastics and other high value materials. The company has developed a biodegradable compostable waste-based polymer resin for cosmetics packaging.

JK Park, CEO, CTK Bio Canada says the company’s greatest demand is in its newly developed biodegradable compostable waste-based polymer resin designed to replace conventional plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) as well as polylactic acid (PLA), and paper.

CTK Bio Canada’s most recent product is the biodegradable compostable waste-based marble style resin made to produce eyeshadow compact cases. According to Park, “It’s a material with high biodegradability in ambient environments and has a high bioderived content suitable for the use in traditional processing machines such as injection molding and thermoforming.”

Neenah Discusses the Pluses of Paper

For years, paper has stood out as a sustainable material, known for its ease of recycling in many cases, as well as long-standing certification programs such as the FSC designation from The Forest Stewardship Council.

Neenah has specialized in quality papers for more than 100 years. Kristen K. Duncan, sustainable solutions development manager, tells Beauty Packaging, “Neenah is no stranger to eco-innovation.” She explains that the company has a rich history of sustainable products, partnerships, and certifications.

Neenah also devotes significant efforts to increase sustainable premium paper production by implementing responsible fiber sourcing certifications like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Green Seal and standards like processed chlorine-free (PCF) and high post-consumer content.

Duncan says, “Brands are digging deeper to understand the recyclability and capturability of paper-based products, as well as the impacts of the finishing techniques used to decorate. In addition, some are requesting Life Cycle Analysis information, allowing them to make broad, yet verified, sustainability claims. In the era of green-washing, verification is increasingly important.  At Neenah, we pride  ourselves in our credibility.”

When it comes to an innovative sustainable packaging product, Duncan cites Neenah Folding Board— beautiful, bright white boards made with 100% post-consumer waste. “We have five distinct finishes that work for a variety of aesthetics, and we can  create customized boards to bring a brand’s vision to life—whether that be a custom color, texture or caliper.

Aluminum Shines—These Suppliers Source It

Montebello Packaging has been manufacturing aluminum tubes for the last 70 years, with an emphasis on pharmaceutical products, as aluminum tubes had the best barrier property to protect the various formulations. While this aspect of aluminum tubes still prevails, aluminum is now also categorized as “infinitely recyclable.”

Steven MacPhail  vice president sales & marketing, says, “With this very important attribute, our packaging is extremely well-suited to meet all sustainability requirements. Recently, we have gone further with the request of our customers to make our closures in PCR to improve our sustainable product statements. As of this year, we have launched our collection of aluminum cosmetic bottles, which will help to eliminate the heavy plastic bottles commonly used in the Haircare market.”

ABA Packaging offers eco-friendly, 100% recyclable aluminum bottles, and has raised the luxe look with the introduction of premium bottle designs and new decorating options for its Envases line. Michael Warford, the company’s director of business development, says ABA is now providing in-line hot-stamping that yields extra shiny gold, silver and rose gold finishes. (See more on ABA’s aluminum bottles in the feature story on Metals and Metallics on page 46 of this issue.)

Allstar Stocks Refillables

Allstar Packaging Corp. offers a range of recyclable, sustainable and refillable packaging options available for custom order, such as refillable airless and lipsticks.

Michelle Wu, regional sales manager, says Allstar “is gradually bringing in more recyclable and sustainable packaging options to our stock packaging line in New Jersey, to offer at lower MOQs and faster lead times.”

A Mono-Material Pouch

ZACROS manufactures liquid flexible packaging globally (headquarters in Japan; offices in U.S.), with a focus on sustainability.

Recently the supplier partnered with P&G Japan to develop a mono-material, recyclable, liquid flexible refill pouch for Japan’s Pantene Effortless collection.

Looking Ahead—No Silver Bullet

While consumers become more educated about single-use packaging—and suppliers and brands continue to innovate with sustainable packaging ideas—the challenges and possible solutions are many, and the answers may lie in doing whatever we can, whenever we can to ensure a more eco-focused world.

Maesa’s Tatem, advises, “While we continue to look for the ultimate solution, we need to move what we can to sustainable packaging, even if it’s not ‘the perfect solution.’ Near-term, develop with PCR and educate on how to recycle. 

Tatem continues, "Long-term, look for more sustainable packaging and reduce the non-renewable product we put into the stream, as well as look for truly innovative Reuse platforms, which will require partnerships with retailers and consumers evolving everyday expectations. I think a big challenge brands will need to deal with is where to focus their missions.”

Tatem adds, “Reuse? Recyclable and using Recycled material? There is no ‘one size fits all,’ so brands will need to build using many of the existing platforms available. As we use new bio materials, and figure out how to truly use without a large carbon footprint, we need to make sure we are using what we know works. And what fits with our brand promise.” 

Mia Davis, vice president of sustainability and impact, at “clean beauty” retailer Credo, agrees. She tells Beauty Packaging, “There is no silver bullet when it comes to more sustainable beauty packaging. On top of fundamental considerations, such as look & feel, cost of goods, brands and customers are faced with a real lack of information from suppliers about material sources, resins used and end-of-life realities."

Davis explains, "One of the most important things we need to do as an industry is clearly identify plastic types on packaging, and not imply they will be recycled when there is little-to-no chance they will be. No more chasing arrows on plastic that is not accepted at MRFs."

Shje adds, "So when a customer is left holding a bottle, pump and cap, they need to know what they’re made of so they can know how to dispose of them. The time for making excuses about this—like ‘it isn’t usually done’ or ‘the package is too small’—is past. Let’s move forward.” 

Highlights from Mintel & Euromonitor

Mintel: ‘Consumers Expect Brands to Have a Real Purpose’

Following the release of Mintel Future Forward, a consumer research “leadership brief,” Jane Henderson, chairman of the research group’s Beauty and Wellness division, commented:

“For beauty brands to survive, it is now no longer enough to have a great product. Consumers expect brands to have a real purpose and to use their power to help engender genuine social change for all.”

Nearly a third of those polled by Mintel want beauty brands to do what’s best for the Earth, even at the expense of margins. Almost half want labels to clearly show a product’s environmental impact.

Euromonitor Pinpoints ‘Eco-Anxiety’

The state of the environment emerged in Euromonitor's list of Top 10 Global Consumer Trends 2022.

One trend is titled ‘Climate Changers: Eco-anxiety and the climate emergency drive environmental activism for a net-zero economy.’ In 2021, 35% of global consumers actively reduced their carbon emissions.

Sustainable Packaging On Shelf—A Look at the Latest by Beauty Brands

USTAWI’s Sustainable Packaging Tells an African Community Story

USTAWI’s entire range features at least 93.8% of naturally derived, ethically sourced ingredients in every formula, using a combination of natural and active ingredients to target skin concerns for “melanated” skin.

The aesthetics of USTAWI’s packaging are rooted in their African origins, with the color reminiscent of the earth in Africa. The brand’s logo is styled as a hand, symbolic of the hand-made process of traditional recipes and the unity of community.

All of the raw materials used in USTAWI’s packaging (tube, bottle, pump, cap) adhere to European regulations and are recyclable (except the pump).

The bottles are light weight, made of a glass polymer called ECOZEN, which has the look and feel of glass, but with “significant advantages in sustainability.” The paper used for secondary packaging is FSC-certified. Shipping cartons are recyclable. 

Chanel Launches Line Using Sustainable Materials

In a show of "Luxe Meets Sustainable," Chanel launched N°1 de Chanel, a line of skincare, makeup and a fragrance mist, in ‘eco-design’ packaging. Patent-pending renewable formulas are said to contain “up to 97% ingredients of natural origin.”

The full range of packaging for the N° 1 de Chanel includes lids from Sulapac, that contain bio-based materials.

According to Chanel, “The new-generation lid of the N° 1 de Chanel Cream is made of 90% bio‑based materials from renewable resources: FSC certified wood chips that are by-products of industrial side-streams combined with camellia seed shells. It was a genuine technological challenge that has now resulted in several patent-pending applications." 

The brand also stated, "Faithful to the House of Chanel’s exacting standards, every detail was considered at length including the sensory quality of the material; its resistance to heat variations; the unique sound of the jar closing; how it feels in the hand; and the depth of the matte satin finish engraved with the iconic double C.”

LOLI Beauty’s Mushroom-Based Packaging

The outer packaging of LOLI Beauty’s Go Clear + Get Clean Discovery Kit is freshly grown from mushrooms and wrapped in upcycled hemp paper.

Each of the 3 individual products are sealed in reusable, food-grade glass jars and labelled in certified garden-compostable labels. "That’s 0% plastic, 100% zero-waste," says the brand—and LOLI Beauty's founder, Tina Hedges. 

Uni’s Closed-Loop System of Refillable Products

Uni’s closed-loop system of refillable and recyclable bottles creates an endless cycle of reuse through its aluminum bottles, which twist into a reusable dispenser and can be refilled or recycled.

Designed by Marc Atlan, Uni’s packaging took two years to develop, incorporating a patent-pending refill design, and a guilt-free and luxury body care experience. The company also announced a $3 million seed round led by Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary. 

Dove’s Reusable, Refillable Solution Changes Behaviors

Fiona Florence, managing director at JDO, a New York-based multidisciplinary design agency, says, “Many people have the desire to do their part in protecting the planet, but they’re not exactly sure how to go about it."

Florence adds, "Dove’s latest innovation provides them with an opportunity that is easy and effective. The creative challenge here is about changing consumer behavior by showing them that they can reduce plastic while still enjoying the Dove products they love. Our design creates belief that change is not only possible, but simple and beautiful.”

Dove's refillable deodorant is silver, sleek, and  guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Proverb Skin Launches Paper, Home-Compostable Sachets

UK-based natural skincare brand Proverb Skin launched their skincare trial samples in what they says is ‘the world’s first paper, home-compostable sachets.’

The Organic Skin Co. Ticks All the Boxes for Sustainability

The Organic Skin Co., a New Zealand-based skincare and makeup brand, claims to be the only beauty company in the world that uses revolutionary CO2 extracts throughout their range of products. The brand’s skincare and makeup are not only “clean and organic,” but “profoundly good for the skin.”

In addition, the company says CO2 extractions are a zero-waste technology that is better for the planet. Unlike conventional extraction processes, they evaporate completely.

Outer packaging is molded and eco-pulp, and recyclable, biodegradable and compostable within 90 days. Our tubes are 95% PCR aluminum.

The brand also uses recyclable—and upcyclable—glass bottles with caps and labels that are biodegradable and compostable.

The caps are bamboo, paired with recyclable PET plastic VAD closures, which are detachable from their bamboo lids.

E.l.f. Reduces Packaging Materials

E.l.f. celebrated a milestone in sustainability last year, eliminating an estimated 650,000 pounds of packaging material.

Laura Otani, head of packaging and sustainable design, e.l.f. Beauty, says, “What started with the goal of removing cartons evolved to e.l.f. designing a patented hanging label and creating an adhesive that allowed for easy removal and no residue.

This new design contributed to a significant reduction in materials. Our team worked with suppliers to design the label hangers in real time. The result: A patented label hanger that streamlined the face of the e.l.f. wall and greatly contributed to our clean and lean initiative.” 

Biolage Bottles Are Made of 100% Recycled Paper and Plastic

L'Oreal is focusing on sustainability, especially with its Biolage brand. Biolage's limited-edition bottles are made of 100% recycled paper and plastic, excluding the pump. The new design uses 40% less plastic overall versus the traditional 13.5 fluid ounce Color Last bottle.

Biolage also sponsored a SalonCycle program for stylists to recycle salon waste where they shop.

Sponsored Content

ABA Leads the Way with Eco-Packaging for Cosmetics, Fragrances, and Personal Care

ABA Packaging Corp. is committed to finding the very best ECO packaging options for the planet. Over seven years ago, we began promoting aluminum packages in North America due to their great ECO qualities and benefits.

Our Envases lines of highly decorated aluminum bottles and cans are receiving a lot of attention from ECO-minded brands. Aluminum is by far, one of the most sought-after packaging materials for recycling. It is reported that 75% of the aluminum ever produced is still in use today thanks to recycling.

We can now offer both PCR and PIR content in many of our aluminum bottle and can sizes, which significantly lowers the carbon footprint. We’ve expanded our aluminum packaging offerings now to include high quality stock and custom aluminum jar packages and closures in many sizes.

ABA started in 1984 as a stocking distributor of high-quality fragrance glass products. Our glass bottle and jar business has grown exponentially with the advent of ECO awareness, as most cosmetic and fragrance glass offers recycling opportunities, too. Many of our glass manufacturing partners are now manufacturing bottles and jars for us with high levels of PCR content.

Our plastics manufacturers are also making a strong effort to enhance their ECO signatures, and we now have plastic bottles, jars, tubes and caps available with certified PCR content.

Visit ABA's website to see additions to its great lines of ECO-Friendly primary packaging products.