The Hills Reduce Reuse Recycle Directory
Makeup and Beauty PACKAGING
The Beauty Industry seduces us into having a bathroom cabinet full of products of which half we probably don't need or use. We have all been there. More than 120 billion units of packaging are produced by the global cosmetic industry every year. The Beauty industry is starting to respond to the global packaging crisis with companies coming out with alternative low packaged products, easier to recycle products and some are taking on recycling difficult to recycle packaging from the beauty industry via TerraCycle. The US has already banned microbeads in products like toothpaste and facial cleanses, but Australia has yet to follow and we have to be on the look out for these items being snuck into our products. Even large plastic does not break down, it just breaks into smaller and smaller pieces being eaten by marine life and into the food chain and onto our plates. . STOP PRESS Hills recycling no longer collects Beauty packaging (since 2019) , but you can recycle beauty packaging with a number of Terracycle instore, and postal recycling programs. Priceline, Mecca, Flora and fauna and Banish. As well as many brand specific programs. see details and links below.
Reduce Reuse
Refuse to use products with microbeads
Refill your bottle from bulk stores
The Body Shop have a refill program for beauty products at Fountain Gate
Reuse Have your fill accept plastic containers for refilling eg pump pack
Reduce use less, wash your hair once a week, save makeup for special occasions.
​
Choose easily recyclable packaging like cardboard, metal or minimal packaged products
​
eg Lush shampoo in a bars, lipstick refills, low waste skin care makeup, and more.( sustainable palm oil )
or Ethique Bar shampoos moisturizers etc ( no palm oil )
​
Shampoo Bars
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
No pong deodorant in a tin. ( available at Epoche kallista)
​
Dirty Hippie Cosmetics low waste plastic free returnable refillable. vegan cruelty free handmade.
(We accept empties on all of our full sized, tin and bottle products from Australian residents).
​
Ecology skincare palm oil free moisturizer in a tin. made in Mt Martha
​
Locally made low packaged natural products.
​
Quintessence soaps ( recycled sleeve packaging) Solid conditioner and shampoo bar ( cardboard packaging. ( small amount of sustainable palm oil) New palm oil free Angkorian Collection Belgrave
​
Earthwise vegan soaps ( no pkg)
(no palm oil) Earthwise run Workshops to to make your own regularly at local community Houses. Selby
​
Care we love -returnable, reused jars , skin care range and deodorant . Belgrave
​
Locally made skin and hair care products, Warbotanicals, can be purchased as refills from The Here and There Makers Boronia. Bulk drums are returned and refilled. Also deodorant in jar metal lid refills as well.
​
Make your own
For a down to earth guide to minimal waste living from Lindsay at Treading my own Path for some great ideas to inspire. Edible skin care regime DIY shampoo, toothpaste. and deodorant.
​
Make your own moisturiser Galen coldcream
​
Try olive oil as a conditioner
​
10 All natural DIY Makeup and skincare Recipes
​
​
Get your hair done at a Sustainable Salon
Sustainable salons recycle chemicals, foils, dye tubes other metals, hair dryers etc, hair, plastic and paper.. Funds raised from metal donation go to OZ harvest. Find a sustainable salon near you. www.sustainablesalons.org or tell your salon to join, includes hairdressers, beauty barbers dog grooming.
​
​
​
​
How do I know if microbeads are in my products?
Microbeads can be found in some facial scrubs, toothpaste and body wash, but they may also be in lipstick, eyeliner, sunscreen, deodorant, nail polish and other care products.
Microbeads are commonly made from the following substances, so look for these ingredients on the back of the product:
-
Polyethylene (PE)
-
Polypropylene (PP)
-
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
-
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
-
Nylon (PA)
Young Fish become addicted to microbeads,
