Apr
The beauty industry has a packaging problem. In the U.S. alone, more than 120 billion units of cosmetics packaging are produced every year – and the vast majority of it isn’t recycled. Those sleek lipstick tubes, mascara wands, and serum droppers that sit elegantly on your vanity. Most of them end up in landfills. A sobering statistic from the EPA reveals that packaging contributes to about 30% of all municipal solid waste in the U.S., with beauty products being a significant but overlooked contributor. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
I’m a beauty product enthusiast just like many of you – and I’ll be honest: watching those gorgeous containers pile up felt a bit like betrayal. After all, we spend a fortune on skincare and makeup not just for what’s inside, but for the design and aesthetic that come with it. Tossing them out feels wasteful. So, I started finding ways to give them new life. If you’re looking to do the same, you’re in the right place. Let’s talk about how to recycle beauty containers properly, and how to creatively upcycle them when recycling isn’t an option.
Why Beauty Packaging Is So Hard to Recycle
Unlike a glass soda bottle or a cardboard cereal box, beauty packaging is notoriously complex. It often features mixed materials like mirrors, magnets, pumps, and multi-layered plastics – all of which make standard recycling difficult or impossible. Even the size of some products, like eyeliner pencils or lipstick tubes, can be too small to be sorted properly by recycling machinery.
Some products are labeled as recyclable but only qualify under specific conditions. A plastic serum pump might be made from recyclable resin, for instance, but paired with a metal spring or rubber gasket that disqualifies it. And if there’s residual product inside, that could also prevent it from being processed.
This doesn’t mean you should give up – it just means you have to be more strategic.
How to Recycle Beauty Containers the Right Way
First things first: check your local recycling guidelines. Not all recycling centers accept the same materials, and curbside programs can vary drastically by municipality. Here’s how to increase your chances of getting those containers into the right stream.
Start With a Deep Clean
Before recycling any container, make sure it’s completely empty and clean. A quick rinse won’t cut it – many recycling facilities reject items with visible residue. Use warm soapy water, cotton swabs, or even a little makeup remover to get into crevices.
Separate Components
If your packaging contains multiple materials, try to disassemble it. Remove pumps, caps, droppers, and applicators. If you can’t separate them, that container might need to be upcycled instead.
Know the Symbols
Look for the little triangle with a number inside – this is the Resin Identification Code (RIC). Plastics #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) are widely recyclable. Plastics #3 through #7 are less so, depending on local programs.
Recycle What You Can, Then Outsource
Some brands have take-back or recycling programs that accept hard-to-recycle components. For instance, TerraCycle partners with multiple beauty brands (like Garnier, L’Occitane, and Burt’s Bees) to recycle items your municipal center won’t.
Brand-Based Recycling Programs Worth Trying
Several forward-thinking brands are taking responsibility for their packaging waste. Here are a few worth checking out:
Origins: Their “Return to Origins” program accepts any brand’s empty cosmetics packaging at participating stores.
Kiehl’s: Return 10 full-size empties and get a free product as part of their loyalty recycling program.
Lush: Bring back five of their signature black pots, and you’ll receive a free fresh face mask.
MAC: Their “Back to MAC” program offers a free lipstick when you return six primary packaging containers.
Credo Beauty: The retailer has a Pact Collective bin at every store, accepting hard-to-recycle beauty waste from any brand.
And if you’re feeling extra proactive, consider TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Boxes. These prepaid boxes let you fill and return them with virtually any type of cosmetic packaging.
When Recycling Fails, Get Creative with Upcycling
Upcycling isn’t just a fun DIY project – it’s also an eco-conscious way to extend the life of your beauty packaging. Plus, many of these containers are so well-designed they’re practically begging to be repurposed. Here’s how to transform your empties into something useful, stylish, or even giftable.
Glass Jars and Pots
- These are some of the easiest and most versatile containers to reuse.
- Use them to store cotton swabs, bobby pins, or hair ties in your bathroom.
- Clean them thoroughly and use them as travel-sized containers for lotions or creams.
- Turn them into mini plant pots for succulents.
- Paint the outside for a customized jewelry or trinket holder.
Plastic Bottles and Tubes
- These can be a bit harder to work with, but not impossible.
- Cut open empty lotion or shampoo bottles to use as drawer organizers or cord holders.
- Squeeze out every last drop, then refill with hand soap or homemade skincare concoctions.
- Decorate and use as flower bud vases.
Lipstick Tubes
- These little containers are surprisingly sturdy and can have a second life.
- Use them to hold solid perfume or DIY lip balm.
- Clean thoroughly and use for mini craft kits (like sewing pins or glitter).
- Stick a small mirror on the cap and turn it into a mini travel makeup tool.
Pump and Dropper Bottles
- Often tossed because they’re tough to recycle, these can still be reused with a little ingenuity.
- Refill with facial oils, toner, or micellar water (especially if you DIY your skincare).
- Use for travel-sized versions of your favorite products.
- Create a custom facial mist or aromatherapy spray using essential oils and water.
Makeup Palettes
- Empty eyeshadow or blush palettes are gold for DIYers.
- Pop out the pans and clean the compact – now you have a mini pill organizer or a case for tiny earrings when you travel.
- If the mirror is intact, the compact becomes a stylish pocket mirror.
- You can even refill them with your own handmade pressed powders or solid perfumes.
Mascara Wands
- Sounds odd, right? But clean mascara wands can be shockingly useful.
- Use them to brush brows or separate lashes after applying mascara.
- Clean thoroughly and donate to wildlife rescue organizations – they use them to groom and clean small animals.
Organizing Your DIY Station
If you’re getting serious about upcycling, dedicate a small drawer or shelf to organize cleaned and prepped containers. Label them by type (glass jars, tubes, palettes, etc.) and keep a few small tools nearby: mini screwdrivers, glue, tiny paintbrushes, cotton swabs, and rubbing alcohol.
The Benefits Go Beyond the Environment
Yes, recycling and upcycling reduce waste. But they also encourage mindfulness. When you’re conscious of the packaging that comes with your beauty products, you start asking bigger questions. Is this brand using sustainable materials? Are they offering refillable options? Could I choose a more eco-responsible alternative?
Supporting companies that prioritize sustainable packaging sends a message to the industry. And opting for refillable beauty containers or waterless formulas – like shampoo bars or powdered cleansers – reduces the need for packaging in the first place.
What to Avoid When Repurposing Containers
While creativity is key, safety matters too.
Never reuse a container that once held a product with active ingredients (like retinol or acids) unless it’s thoroughly sanitized.
Don’t store food in upcycled containers unless they’re food-grade plastic or glass – and even then, err on the side of caution.
Avoid using broken containers (like cracked mirrors or chipped jars) unless you can safely repair them.
FAQs
Can all beauty packaging be recycled?
Unfortunately, no. Many beauty products are packaged in mixed materials that aren’t recyclable through regular curbside services. Pumps, mirrors, magnetic closures, and multi-layered plastics are especially problematic.
Are glass containers always recyclable?
Glass is widely recyclable, but it must be clean and free of non-glass elements like plastic caps or metal rings. Colored glass is sometimes not accepted depending on local recycling rules.
What do I do with old nail polish or foundation bottles?
If there’s product left inside, they must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Once fully emptied and cleaned, glass bottles can often be recycled, while others can be upcycled into mini vases or art containers.
Is upcycling safe for skincare DIYs?
Yes but sterilize the containers first. Wash with soap and water, then rinse with isopropyl alcohol and let air dry. Avoid reusing containers that held potent actives unless you’re confident in your cleaning process.
What’s the easiest container to start upcycling with?
Glass jars are the easiest. They’re easy to clean, reusable in many ways, and safer than most plastics for storing new products or items.
Your Empties Are the Beginning, Not the End
It’s easy to overlook the afterlife of our beauty products. Once the last pump of moisturizer is gone or the final swipe of lipstick has been applied, we usually toss the packaging and move on. But every empty container is a small opportunity – to recycle properly, to craft something new, to reduce your environmental impact, and to take more responsibility for your consumption.
Next time you finish a product, pause. Is it recyclable? If not, could it be upcycled? The answer might surprise you – and inspire your next favorite DIY.
