How to Recycle Your Makeup Packaging

Beginning back in the 1970's, the first ever 'Earth Day' triggered the conversation that is, caring for our environment. Now here we are, over fifty years later and still showing our support for the movement. We've certainly come leaps and bounds when it comes to recycling. Sustainability has crept into the skincare world where we have replaced wipes with reusable cloths, opt for vegan-friendly brands and consciously keep an eye out for natural ingredients. However, when it comes to how to recycle makeup packaging, a lot of confusion remains. Plastic, cardboard, cartons- these are all easily distinguishable as recycling bin material. However, what bin holds the old eyeshadow palettes and mascaras that have had their day?

Here's how to recycle makeup packaging, with help from Eyeko.

Introducing our makeup recycling scheme: Recycle Me by THG Eco

From dried out eyeliners to the stubs of lipsticks- used beauty products do not belong in the recycling bin. Not only are they made up of various materials, some of which are non-recyclable, but they also can contaminate the other contents of the recyclable bin.

This is why although many of us now recycle, there are still so many issues around recycling contamination. We may be trying our best, but unfortunately some of us are still putting the wrong things in that green bin. These mistakes may render all other rubbish separation efforts useless.

Introducing Recycle Me by THG Eco, the makeup recycling scheme we have created to help you to recycle your makeup packaging. Through this scheme, you can now send all of your used beauty products back to us to be recycled.

How does our makeup recycling scheme work?

As mentioned, the recycling process is particularly complex for plastic beauty products such as mascara, lipstick and products with inbuilt pumps like foundations. Unfortunately, this leads to many consumers simply disposing of their used goods in a regular bin amongst their household waste.

The Recycle Me by THG Eco initiative has been created to help solve this problem and ensure that beauty products that have reached the end of their lives are processed in a way that is environmentally friendly. Here's how it works:

1. Order it: At the checkout, add a freepost Recycle Me bag to your basket.
2. Clean it: Round up as many used plastic beauty products as you can, and give them a rinse to get rid of any excess residue.
3. Post it: Pop them all into the Recycle Me bag and post it back to us via any Royal Mail post box or Post Office. It won't cost you a penny!
4. Recycle it: We'll send your products to our recycling partners who will repurpose them into something brand new.

Our recycling partners sort, wash and shred the plastic materials into 5mm pieces. The shredded plastic is heated and pressed, creating strong and durable plastic boards. Finally, we’ll work together with our community partners to create something useful and new, made from your recycled plastic packaging.

How can you use our scheme to recycle your old makeup?

If you're a beauty shopper in the UK, you can return any beauty product free of charge. This scheme is not restricted to just Eyeko products!

We are aiming to reduce the amount of plastic that goes to landfill, not just on behalf of Eyeko but for the beauty industry as a whole. This is why we are answering the confusing and complicated question of how to recycle makeup packaging with a quick and simple return scheme.

What else are we doing at Eyeko to reduce makeup waste?

Here at Eyeko, we don't believe in complicated eye makeup that requires endless products and too much time. We take a more simplistic approach. Whether it's an on-the-go daytime look or a night out shimmer, our products are multi-functional. They are designed to be applied effortlessly, no matter what the occasion. Plus, each shade included in our palettes is designed to actually be used. Those questionable colours that always go untouched have been left to one side. This way, you get the most out of your palettes and have what you really need to achieve the eye looks you want.

What's more, one of the key features of our mascara ranges is that each one of these mascaras is packaged in a squeeze tube. Therefore, unlike the standard cylinder, you can really squeeze out every last drop and get the most out of your product. You can also control the amount of product that you’re working with, so no more clumpy wands full of excess mascara that goes to waste.