Beauty Industry Scores Low for Sustainability in CleanHub Report

The global beauty industry's poor performance on the green front is highlighted in a new report from plastic pollution prevention specialist CleanHub.

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It is based on estimates and its own analysis of industry data and claims that 120 billion single-use beauty-related packaging is used each year and that 95% is thrown away rather than recycled.

In addition, of more than 7,000 beauty products, it states in its report “Environmental Impact of the Beauty Industry” that only 13% are free of microplastics.

On top of that, it says that only 14% of plastic beauty waste is sent to recycling and only 9% is recycled.

Meanwhile, beauty also contributes to deforestation: 70% of industrial products contain palm oil and around 10.4 million tons of water are used annually in production processes.

The report also highlighted the high level of emissions the industry represents and also the continuing ethical issues with many factory workers continuing to “work in poor conditions, proving that beauty brands need to support them and farmers more.” .

The report comes at a time when CleanHub says 63% of beauty consumers surveyed say “clean beauty” is important to their purchases, and nearly half also say they would pay more for sustainable products.

But he does say that “fortunately, not everything is doom and gloom. “Many cosmetic brands are starting to reconsider their environmental impact.”

Nikki Stones, vice president of marketing at CleanHub, said: “Beauty packaging waste – much of which is single-use, non-recyclable and ultimately ends up in landfills or the ocean – is one of the biggest problems in the world. industry.

With consumers increasingly viewing clean beauty as a must-have when purchasing products, there has never been a more urgent time for the beauty industry to make its practices more sustainable.”