TAKING CHARGE OF CHANGE WITH
SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING In 2022, it’s no wonder why the conversation around sustainability is top-of-mind for beauty brands. With reports signalling a bleak outlook, the onus has been shifted from the consumer back to the companies making accessibility to singleuse plastics so easy. Hannah Gay spoke to three Australian brands about the steps they’re taking to challenge the status quo around sustainable packaging solutions.
THE FOCUS on sustainability from within the international beauty community is ever-growing and adapting to parallel public discourse, with changes in product packing at the forefront of consumer demands. According to a report released by The United Nations Environment body in 2018, 400 million tons of plastics are produced by the world every year, over one-third of which is used to create singleuse product packaging only. Of these figures, a mere nine percent of plastics are recyclable. While excessive plastic waste alone plays havoc on the environment, the lesser known issue remains in that “more than 99 percent of plastics are produced from chemicals derived from oil, natural gas and coal — all of which are dirty, non-renewable resources,” states The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). “If current trends continue, by 2050 the plastic industry could account for 20 percent of the world’s total oil consumption.” So how does this affect the beauty industry? A 2021 report released by The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) surveying 1054 American adults revealed that 61 percent are more interested in companies with plant-based products. In an interview with BeautyPackaging.com, PBPC executive director Jessica Bowman
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made clear the evidence that consumers want more ecofriendly options. “We’re seeing companies respond to these demands by innovating not only the materials that make up cosmetic products but also the materials that those products come in… Renewable, plant-based materials can be used for the beauty industry’s packaging needs and serve as a solution to many of the environmental and economic challenges presented by traditional plastic packaging.” Much like their consumer brand counterparts, salon-stocked brands are uptaking the responsibility in droves. Dermalogica recently made headlines for its transition to a mono-material pump across its cleansing range. The move, which involves the use of the ‘Future’ pump by Aptar and is made entirely out of recyclable polyethylene (PE), is the first of its kind for an internationally acclaimed beauty brand. Cosmeceutical brand Medik8 holds a 360-degree approach to sustainability with an ethos deeply rooted in producing products designed to improve the skin with as little detriment as possible to the environment. Notably the vast majority of brands used by Australian aestheticians boast a commitment to sustainability, whether in the form of environmentally-
friendly packaging, or otherwise. However, a lack of familiarity around plastic types, correct recycling methods and the steps involved in producing such plastic in the first place are ongoing issues impacting public understanding and response to these issues, both in Australia and abroad. For Synergie Skin founder Terri Vinson, sourcing sustainable solutions is top of mind for 2022 as she follows through on her ‘Clean Science’ philosophy. The brand, which boasts a line-up of highly efficacious skincare, recently announced updates to its product packaging – a goal that sat on Terri’s wish list through COVID delays and the need to pass through various regulatory bodies. “We have been sourcing smarter packaging solutions for a number of years, but last year we decided to give Synergie
