Disposable Consumption Surges... Cosmetics Industry Managing Containers for Disposal

Reduce Pretty Trash, Lead Eco-Friendly Management
Operate Refill Stations, Use Biodegradable Transparent Labels

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] With the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in disposable product consumption has brought plastic waste to the forefront as a social issue. The cosmetics industry is strengthening environmentally conscious management throughout the process?from material development to product manufacturing, packaging, and delivery?to reduce the amount of plastic used in cosmetic containers.

According to related industries on the 6th, Amorepacific Group is conducting an empty bottle campaign. Starting with the ‘Innisfree Empty Bottle Collection Campaign’ in 2003, the total amount of empty bottles collected at Amorepacific Group stores nationwide reached 2,200 tons by last year. Plastic cosmetic bottles are also being repurposed as flooring and fixtures in stores. Since October last year, refill stations have been in operation. At the refill station located in Amore Store Gwanggyo, shampoo and body wash products are sold in portions according to customers’ desired amounts. More than 1,000 consumers have purchased refill products. Amorepacific plans to expand the variety of refill products going forward.

The cosmetic brand TLS introduced the industry’s first biodegradable transparent label. In particular, products are contained in recyclable glass containers. Cosmetic containers can be easily separated and disposed of by removing the transparent label and rinsing with water. Additionally, the product boxes use green tea recycled paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and are printed with soy ink to facilitate recycling.

Moreover, the products exclude ingredients that can easily burden the skin, such as animal-derived components, artificial fragrances, and artificial colorants, and feature plant-based ingredients derived from tea (cha) and skin-friendly ingredient blends, completing vegan certification. TLS’s ‘Chamomile Calming Tea Toner’ contains 85% chamomile flower water instead of purified water, making it the most abundant ingredient in the formula.

Organic cosmetics brand Dr. Bronner’s, based on the brand philosophy ‘ALL-ONE!’ which signifies coexistence of humans, animals, and the Earth, excludes synthetic chemical ingredients and uses organic raw materials to produce eco-friendly products that naturally decompose in the environment. The brand has been a pioneer in applying 100% PCR plastic (post-consumer recycled plastic) and recycled paper packaging in its product containers.

In March, the brand introduced a ‘Zero Plastic Eco-Friendly Delivery Package’ that uses pulp paper cushioning and paper kraft tape instead of vinyl cushioning or vinyl tape. The mold used to secure products during delivery is specially made from recycled pulp molded to fit the product size, instead of commonly used plastic materials like Styrofoam or vinyl air caps. All cushioning materials, including the box, are made from eco-friendly paper materials, allowing for unified recycling and minimizing delivery waste.