Is the downturn in the economy getting beauty companies to — recycle more? Cosmetic cases and bottles, once the unrecyclable bane of image-conscious environmentalists, are now recyclable at more places than ever. And all those places are at beauty company stores and counters — maybe because in-store recycling programs can, well, bringing customers into the store when the malls are otherwise empty.

Plus, those programs also beget good press and green creds. And for beauty-seeking environmentalists, the programs mean less stuff sent to the landfills — as well as freebies, since some companies offer free samples to customers who bring in recyclables:

Recycle cosmetic empties at Origins. On March 29, Origins will debut a new program that lets consumers bring in any brand’s old compacts and lipstick cases into more than 450 Origins retail stores and department store counters across the country for recycling. The collected cosmetic detritus “be recycled, when possible, or responsibly converted to energy,” according to Origins. For their eco-trouble, recyclers will get to pick out a FREE sample of one of Origins skincare products.

Recycle caps at Aveda. Caps are usually made of a different plastic than the bottles, and rarely get recycled even when put into your recycling bin. Aveda’s now collecting those eco-blights to make new containers and caps, and wants you to drop the ones you have at a participating store. Any rigid polypropylene plastic (#5) — from shampoo flip tops to orange juice screw on caps — are accepted. If the #5 plastic lid’s bendable (i.e. yogurt cup tops), take them to your nearest Whole Foods Gimme 5 recycling program instead.

Recycle perfume bottles at Bond No. 9. Take any brand’s empty perfume bottle to one of Bond No. 9 stores in New York or its perfume counters in Saks Fifth Avenue across the country. The bottles will get reused if they’re Bond No. 9 bottles; other brands’ bottles will get recycled. And you’ll get a free refillable purse spray if you make a purchase.

Photo by haruka nakayama

0 Comments