For Global Recycling Day, on 18 March 2022, let’s look at the importance of using recycled and recyclable packaging. More green and eco-responsible than ever, ELENATURE is committed to offering a range of environmentally-friendly, eco-responsible products.
Towards zero-waste
It is well known that conventional cosmetics are the source of an unbelievable amount of waste. The manufacture, packaging, use of these items, and the plastic waste generated by the finished product result in a colossal amount of environmental damage. For a long time, society was locked into a consumerist cycle of manufacture-consume-throw away. But that is now a thing of the past.
More and more companies, including in the cosmetics sector, are now aiming for “zero waste”. If shampoo and conditioner packaging, containers and bottles are not recyclable or not sorted by consumers, they are simply thrown away. This represents an enormous amount of waste that is polluting the environment. The production of this packaging, when recycled materials are not used, means further using up certain resources, and we know that our planet’s resources are limited.
To turn this around and adopt a more responsible approach, many companies are joining the “zero-waste” movement. This involves reducing waste as much as possible in the manufacturing process and for the consumer. Recycling, of course, has an important role to play in this approach. Published in 2020, the anti-waste law in France aims to ban disposable plastics by 2040 and improve consumer behaviour. This law, like many others, is designed to reach a recycling rate of 100% for single-use plastic packaging by 1 January 2025.
What are the alternatives?
Luckily, there are several alternatives to single-use plastic packaging. While many manufacturers are still looking for the right solutions, more and more companies, especially in the cosmetics sector, are already trying to reduce their waste.
This starts with eco-responsible design, which means taking into consideration the recyclability of materials used so that recycled and recyclable materials can be prioritized. Be careful though, packaging that is recycled doesn’t necessarily mean it is recyclable and vice versa. A lot of progress has been made in this area in recent years.
Plastic is the main source of waste and can, in some cases, be recycled. This allows other packaging and objects to be manufactured without having to use and deplete new raw materials.
The other big challenge is obviously recycling packaging once its life cycle is ended. Initially, the manufacturer has an important role to play, to make the product recyclable, but also to inform and raise awareness among consumers. Then, of course, it is the consumer who decides where the packaging ends up. The final decision is up to them. Even though, according to a study published in 2019, 51% of French people already sort their rubbish, it is still essential to communicate on the importance of doing so.
At ELENATURE, we strive to offer natural and vegan hair care products, as part of our eco-responsible approach. From the development of formulas to the choice of packaging, we want to find the best solution every step of the way, so we can offer you effective and environmentally-friendly products. We ensure we respect the three “R”s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
How do we do that?
By using eco-designed packaging, chosen for their low environmental impact.
All of our bottles are manufactured from 100% recycled and recyclable plastic. That means that our plastic has a life before and after.
This helps us protect resources and enables you to recycle our packaging, to really reduce waste.
In addition, 90% of our materials are sourced in Europe. We also manufacture our products in France, for a reduced carbon footprint.
We are also fighting against excess packaging and we do not produce any superfluous waste.
We have subscribed to service company Citeo, a sustainable development pioneer since the 1990s, which aims to offer reduction, reuse, sorting and recycling solutions to companies in the mass consumption and distribution sectors. In light of the environmental emergency, and in order to accelerate the transformation of companies, Citeo steps in and takes charge of the end of life (including recycling) of household packaging and papers.
ELENATURE combines ecology and innovation to offer organic beauty products, designed using a fully eco-responsible approach.
