The $500 billion global beauty industry has made significant efforts to move towards sustainability, with a focus on reducing single-use plastics, providing recyclable packaging, and offering more transparency around product ingredients. However, despite these efforts, the industry's clean-up efforts have been inconsistent, and many consumers struggle to understand the sustainability credentials of products.
According to the British Beauty Council, 60% of consumers worldwide view sustainability as an important purchase criterion, and 35% are willing to pay more for sustainable products or services. This shift in consumer preferences has propelled many beauty brands to set environmental goals, including reducing their use of single-use plastics, providing recyclable packaging, and offering more transparency around product ingredients.
However, consumers still struggle to understand the sustainability credentials of many products due to the industry's inconsistent clean-up efforts and lack of standardized regulations. The British Beauty Council notes that there is no international standard for how much product ingredient information should be shared with customers, leading to confusion and "greenwashing" – where sustainability claims are made without being substantiated.
Many beauty brands use marketing language like "clean beauty" to make their products seem natural, but this can be misleading. Companies like ILIA Beauty, founder Sasha Plavsic, notes that while natural ingredients are often associated with safety, not all natural ingredients are created equal, and some may contain toxic heavy metals.
The industry's plastic packaging is a significant sustainability challenge, with 95% of packaging being thrown away and the vast majority not being recycled. Many brands are trying to phase out harmful plastics from their operations and adopt post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, but there are challenges in sourcing this material due to limited supply and high demand.
Beauty retailers play a pivotal role in promoting sustainability, but many vary when it comes to setting standards for the brands they sell. The gaps in standardization can be filled by certifications like B Corporation, which is a voluntary accreditation issued by non-profit B Lab. However, experts believe that government regulations and enforcement would go a long way in making change.
Ultimately, market leadership is key in driving sustainability in the beauty industry. While regulation can raise the floor for sustainability standards, it is the actions of brands and customers in the marketplace that will have the most immediate impact on addressing climate shortcomings in the industry. It will take continued collective advocacy and initiative to see meaningful climate-conscious change.
According to the British Beauty Council, 60% of consumers worldwide view sustainability as an important purchase criterion, and 35% are willing to pay more for sustainable products or services. This shift in consumer preferences has propelled many beauty brands to set environmental goals, including reducing their use of single-use plastics, providing recyclable packaging, and offering more transparency around product ingredients.
However, consumers still struggle to understand the sustainability credentials of many products due to the industry's inconsistent clean-up efforts and lack of standardized regulations. The British Beauty Council notes that there is no international standard for how much product ingredient information should be shared with customers, leading to confusion and "greenwashing" – where sustainability claims are made without being substantiated.
Many beauty brands use marketing language like "clean beauty" to make their products seem natural, but this can be misleading. Companies like ILIA Beauty, founder Sasha Plavsic, notes that while natural ingredients are often associated with safety, not all natural ingredients are created equal, and some may contain toxic heavy metals.
The industry's plastic packaging is a significant sustainability challenge, with 95% of packaging being thrown away and the vast majority not being recycled. Many brands are trying to phase out harmful plastics from their operations and adopt post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, but there are challenges in sourcing this material due to limited supply and high demand.
Beauty retailers play a pivotal role in promoting sustainability, but many vary when it comes to setting standards for the brands they sell. The gaps in standardization can be filled by certifications like B Corporation, which is a voluntary accreditation issued by non-profit B Lab. However, experts believe that government regulations and enforcement would go a long way in making change.
Ultimately, market leadership is key in driving sustainability in the beauty industry. While regulation can raise the floor for sustainability standards, it is the actions of brands and customers in the marketplace that will have the most immediate impact on addressing climate shortcomings in the industry. It will take continued collective advocacy and initiative to see meaningful climate-conscious change.