Cosmetic Retailer Offers Packaging Recycling
by Trey Granger
Published on April 9th, 2009
7 Comments
Cosmetic retailer Origins has become the first nationwide cosmetic company to offer recycling for cosmetic packaging, which is now accepted at all Origins retail stores and department store counters in the U.S.
Origins will be collecting all brands of packaging but is limiting the program to the bottles, jars and tubes that contain the cosmetics (including caps). Plastic bags or wrapping, paper boxes and applicators will not be accepted. Another requirement is that the packaging must be empty.
Origins is the first cosmetic company to launch a recycling program for cosmetic containers. Photo: Treehugger.com
The glass and plastic will be recycled and reprocessed into new products, with any unrecyclable waste being used for energy recovery. This means that instead of ending up in a landfill, leftover waste will be incinerated to generate energy.
In the case of plastic cosmetic packaging, it is usually made from plastic resin that is more difficult to recycle, such as polypropylene (or #5 plastic). While many curbside recycling programs won’t accept it, this plastic can be recycled into other packaging or plastic lumber.
To launch the new program, Origins had nationwide recycling events on April 2 featuring actresses Kelly Rutherford and Jessica Stroup. At each of the seven events, the first 50 people to bring in packaging to be recycled received a one-month supply of Origins’ hydrating body cream.
Don’t feel left out if you weren’t able to attend an event. As a reward for bringing in your recyclable cosmetic container, Origins will treat you to a free sample of your choice from its high-performance skincare products.
Lori Brown
posted on April 9th, 2009 at 10:37 am
I was happy to learn about this program. Makeup containers always seemed to fall under the “odds and ends” category that was hard to recycle. Kudos to Origins for becoming the first to launch this type of recycling program.
rick
posted on April 10th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
the body shop founded by anita roddick had a refill and recycle program in all of their stores WORLDWIDE many many years ago.
Craig Brown
posted on April 15th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Congratulations to our sister company!!!
Aveda also has a recycle your cap program: http://aveda.aveda.com/aboutaveda/caps.asp
AVEDA: BEAUTY IS AS BEAUTY DOES
The first beauty company manufacturing with 100% certified wind power. Our wind energy purchase offsets 100% of the electricity use by our primary manufacturing facility in Minnesota, USA. One of the largest purchasers of organic ingredients in the personal care industry. 90% of our essential oils and 89% of our raw herbal ingredients are certified organic – that’s 77 tons purchased annually. Eleven Million US dollars raised for environmental and social causes to date through our Earth Month Campaigns. SETTING INDUSTRY BENCHMARKS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PACKAGING. WE ARE A LEADER IN INTEGRATING THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED [PRC] CONTENT INTO OUR PACKAGING WITHOUT COMPROMISE. We fulfill our mission by providing high performance products that are good for out professionals, our guests, and the EARTH.
Don
posted on June 13th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
I’m into recycling,I break down crt monitors.I need to know companies that buy tubes.I don’t sell tube to china,because I don’t agree with their ways of destruction.I need your help
Reduce plastic waste :: PlasticLess.com » Blog Archive » PlasticLess Makeup: How to Make Green Cosmetic Choices
posted on July 28th, 2009 at 11:53 am
[...] Recycling plastic and glass cosmetics containers was a problem, and a few businesses have offered a solution. Origins is one such company. They accept bottles, jars and tubes from all cosmetic brands as long as they are empty. Polypropylene (#5) plastics are common in cosmetic packaging and many municipal recycling programs don’t accept them. If you don’t live near an Origins shop, check with other chain stores about recycling programs. [...]
Diane Rapp
posted on November 12th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
where do I buy it? I’ve always wondered why companies like Clinique and Lancome don’t offer refillable bottles from stores. I hate all the waste in my bathroom!
Princewill
posted on February 17th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
i will like to know how to recycle glass and if possible export broken glasses to those that recycle them if i cant