Cover (Photo: Instagram/@loccitane)
(Photo: Instagram/@loccitane)
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These beauty brands are making strides towards a greener future, one bottle at a time
The beauty industry, notorious for generating excessive amounts of plastic waste, has long grappled with its environmental footprint. Whilst the allure of luxurious skincare, makeup, and fragrance remains, more and more people are seeking brands that not only deliver exceptional results but also align with their values, particularly in terms of environmental responsibility.
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As the need for sustainability becomes more pressing, beauty brands are stepping up to the plate with initiatives that extend beyond just good-for-you products. One such critical aspect of this shift toward eco-conscious beauty is the rise of recycling programs designed to reduce waste, promote circularity, and give new life to packaging that would otherwise end up in landfills.
Whether you're a skincare enthusiast with a ten-step routine or a makeup minimalist who's loyal to just a few holy-grail products, understanding which brands offer recycling programs can help you make more sustainable choices without sacrificing your beauty standards.
L’Occitane en Provence
L’Occitane’s Big Little Things initiative, launched in 2019, invites customers to recycle empty beauty product containers from any brand at participating boutiques across Malaysia. To participate, customers can register their profile at a participating store and bring in clean, dry, full-sized empties. For each eligible item returned, participants receive a digital stamp; accumulating ten stamps entitles them to rewards such as travel-sized products or membership points.
Read more: How L’Occitane created hand care that protects and provides
Lancôme
As part of its sustainability efforts, Lancôme has introduced the Caring Together for a Happier Tomorrow programme to encourage environmentally responsible consumption, inviting customers to return full-sized empty beauty bottles—including skincare, makeup, and fragrances—to any Lancôme boutiques in exchange for complimentary gifts. Depending on the number of empties returned, participants can receive deluxe samples of cleansers, toners, serums, or moisturisers of their choice, excluding products from the Absolue range.
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Kiehl’s
Kiehl’s Recycle and Be Rewarded programme reflects its dedication to environmental responsibility. Customers are encouraged to bring back empty Kiehl’s product containers to stores, where they are collected for recycling. As a token of appreciation, participants receive stamps for each full-sized bottle returned, which can be redeemed for complimentary products such as a deluxe moisturiser for every four stamps, a deluxe toner for every eight stamps, and a deluxe shampoo and cleanser for every 12 stamps. This initiative not only promotes recycling but also fosters customer loyalty and environmental awareness.
M.A.C Cosmetics
M.A.C Cosmetics’ Back to M.A.C programme exemplifies the brand's proactive approach to sustainability. By returning a set number of six empty primary packaging containers to a participating store or online, customers are rewarded with a complimentary lipstick of their choice. The collected materials are then processed to give them a second life, whilst those that cannot be recycled are converted into energy.
Lush
Renowned for its fresh, handmade cosmetics, Lush operates a Bring It Back scheme. Customers are invited to return five clean, empty Lush pots to receive a complimentary fresh face mask. This initiative not only incentivises recycling but also underscores the brand's dedication to reducing plastic waste. Additionally, Lush offers numerous packaging-free products, further minimising environmental impact.
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About
Phyll Wu is the Style Writer of Tatler Malaysia. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she's an avid fashion geek who loves all things beauty, pop-culture, and film.
