In the grand quest to greener, cleaner beauty, adopting a zero-waste beauty product routine can seem like the final frontier. It's a lofty goal, for most — eliminating as much landfill-destined packaging and plastic as possible. Still, it's a movement that continues to gain traction with shoppers. According to Pinterest, searches for "zero-waste products" increased by 108 percent between March 4 and March 17, as compared to the two weeks prior. ("Eco-friendly living" jumped by 93 percent, as well.)
And in light of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day this April, many brands — from major players to indie companies — are sharpening their focus on sustainability. For example, Pinterest itself just launched a curated collection of shoppable Pins across 21 sustainable U.S. businesses on Pinterest Shop. This includes Earth Tu Face, a beauty brand with "minimal-waste packaging," as noted on its website.
Mind the wording, too. For some, the term "zero waste" translates into exactly zero trash at the end of the day. (Example A: Taking your own mason jars to Whole Foods' bulk bins.) Others incorporate recycling, compostable packaging, or methods of "upcycling" into the product's lifespan. (Example B: Using your leftover diptyque candle tumbler for every single knick-knack on your nightstand versus tossing it out.)
So, as with any "clean" beauty movement, reading the fine print — and shopping with your own standards in mind — is key. Below, seven beauty products that can be recycled, composted, or reused in some way, even once you hit the pan.
We only include products that have been independently selected by The Zoe Report's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.
