Why We Use Recycled Plastic Packaging
The beauty industry has an ugly side. Plastic packaging not only requires fossil fuels for its creation, but is a key contributor to waste. According to TerraCycle, the global beauty industry produces over 120 billion units of packaging each year with only a small portion of this massive figure (about 9%) being recycled. As for the rest of it? It goes straight to landfill, where it can take centuries to break down and end up polluting oceans, posing a threat to ecosystems and human health.
One promising solution is looking towards recycled plastic packaging. This innovation helps to close the loop on waste by reusing materials that are already in circulation rather than constantly relying on virgin resources. In diverting plastic away from landfills and oceans, we are able to reduce the demand for new plastic production and minimise our environmental footprint.
We appreciate a good shelfie as much as the next skincare-lover, so we understand the importance of pleasing packaging. In developing LUI, we wanted to balance our eye for aesthetics with our commitment to sustainable practices. All of our formulations are packaged in vessels made from recycled plastic. We hope that our packaging shows the true value of existing materials and repositions them as beautiful and worthy of desire.
We use post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR) in our bottles, tubes and jars, which is manufactured from plastic that has been collected from beaches, land and recycling plants. PCR offers the same functionality, efficacy and stability as virgin plastic, without the negative environmental consequences. We also love that PCR can be recycled time and time again, ultimately extending its lifespan and contributing to a more circular economy.
If possible, we recommend taking your empty LUI packaging to a TerraCycle drop-off point NEAR YOU to be responsibly recycled. Otherwise, to recycle your empty Body Polish and Body Moisturiser vessels, simply rinse and toss directly into your recycling bin at home. To recycle your empty Shave Cream bottle, unscrew the top to remove the internal metal dispenser and spring. Throw the bottle into your recycling bin, and the metal dispenser and spring into your regular curbside bin (as metal can interfere with the recycling process).
To complement the use of recycled plastic, all of our vessels are packaged in FSC certified cartons and are shipped in FSC certified mailer boxes.
We realise that sustainability is a journey not a destination – and that we still have a long way to go. However, there's a lot of greenwashing that happens within the beauty industry so we strive to be transparent about the steps that we are taking as a business to mitigate climate change.