The refillable beauty revolution
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the negative environmental impacts of their purchases and, as such, are making more environmentally conscious choices. This is impacting the way brands are designing their products, with many big name beauty brands now offering sustainable alternatives including reduced packaging, plastic- free options and refillable products.
What is refillable beauty?
Refillable beauty is exactly what it sounds like: cosmetics and toiletries that can be refilled multiple times with new product. Refillable beauty supports a move away from an economy of single-use and embraces circularity.
Refillable products are designed to come in a reusable container (often made from a very durable material, which is designed to last a long time), which can be replenished with refills once the original product has been used.
In-keeping with the theme of circularity, refills usually come in sustainable, plastic free and/or recyclable packaging, to further reduce the environmental impacts of the products.
A number of products are now available in refillable form, such as perfume, shampoo and conditioner, and even self tanner.
So, what are the benefits?
Reduced environmental impact
The main benefit of refillable beauty is the reduced environmental impact compared to single-use cosmetics. Refillable products come in durable containers that are often designed with aesthetics in mind so they can be kept as keepsakes and displayed on dressing tables, reducing waste compared to single-use products, which are thrown away once they have been used.
This also reduces the demand for new packaging materials which preserves natural resources and limits the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the manufacturing of beauty product packaging.
Cost savings
Over time, refillable beauty can lead to cost savings. Although the initial containers might be more expensive to buy than a single-use product, refills are often much cheaper than buying a whole new product each time. The cost of buying refills is lower because you're not paying for a new container with each purchase, reducing packaging expenses for the brand, allowing them to charge less for the product.
Promotion of circular economy
As refillable products become more mainstream and grow in popularity, the principles of a circular economy will be promoted and become normalised. A circular economy refers to a system where resources are conserved, reused, and recycled. This contributes to a more sustainable and resource-efficient system.
The normalisation of refillable products could also encourage consumers to consider other areas of their life where they could switch to sustainable or refillable alternatives, such as groceries, contributing towards a more environmentally conscious lifestyle.
Refillable beauty products offer a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional single-use cosmetics. They reduce plastic waste, conserve natural resources and can even save you money!
Brands that offer refillable beauty products demonstrate a commitment to the environment and, as consumers, we should use our purchasing power to support refillable options, to increase demand and contribute towards a more sustainable beauty industry.
