how to recycle makeup packaging (and what actually gets recycled)

Many makeup packaging components are recyclable, but not always through your kerbside bin. Compacts, tubes, and pumps are often made from several materials fused together, plastic, metal, glue, and magnets, which most kerbside facilities cannot separate. The result is that a great deal of recyclable packaging ends up in landfill simply because it was binned the wrong way. 

At Ere Perez, this is exactly what we design against. We have removed pumps from our range entirely, since they are one of the most common sources of unrecyclable mixed-material packaging. Mascara tubes and lip gloss wands still require a mix of materials to function, but everywhere else, we choose glass, aluminium, and plant-based alternatives that avoid the problem altogether. Thoughtful design is only half the equation, though. The loop only closes when packaging is recycled the right way, and that starts with knowing where each empty belongs.

The global beauty industry creates an enormous amount of packaging every year, so knowing where that packaging can genuinely go, not just where we hope it goes, makes a real difference.

the best way to recycle makeup packaging: specialist collection points

Specialists take-back programs are often the most reliable way to help beauty empties reach the right processing stream. Programs like TerraCycle and Pact Collective are funded by brands and retailers specifically to handle mixed-material beauty packaging that kerbside systems cannot. Finish the product, clean your empties as thoroughly as possible, then drop them at your nearest collection point.

where else can i drop off beauty empties?

Many retailers run their own in-store collection points alongside the major programs. In Australia, Mecca, Priceline, and Woolworths all offer take-back options. In the United States, Credo, The Detox Market, and Beauty Heroes run similar programs. In the United Kingdom, Harrods, Naturisimo, and Boots offer beauty recycling schemes in store. Availability can vary by store and location, so it is always worth checking before you visit. 

can makeup packaging go in kerbside recycling?

Sometimes, but only specific components, and rules vary by council. Mixed-material packaging, anything combining plastic with metal springs, mirrors, or pumps, is the main reason kerbside facilities reject beauty packaging. A clean glass jar with its lid removed is more straightforward. A pressed powder compact with a mirror, hinge, and magnetic closure is not. 

As a general rule before placing anything in a kerbside bin: 

• Rinse and dry containers completely. Product residue can contaminate an entire batch of recycling.
  

• Remove mirrors and brushes. These are usually mixed-material and need to go to a specialist collection point instead.
  

• Separate lids from bottles where they are a different material or colour, since some facilities sort by material type.
  

• Check your council's accepted materials list, since kerbside programs vary significantly by location, and an item accepted in one area may be rejected in another.
  

If you are ever unsure whether a piece of packaging is kerbside-safe, the more reliable choice is a specialist drop-off point. Recycling correctly is one part of a larger commitment, and choosing fewer materials is core to our sustainability approach and our For Earth & People philosophy

frequently asked questions 

Is all makeup packaging recyclable?
Not through every channel. Many components are recyclable in principle but require specialist processing because they combine materials that kerbside facilities cannot separate. Specialist programs like TerraCycle and Pact Collective are built specifically to handle this. 

Do I need to clean my empties before recycling them?
Yes. Rinse and dry containers fully before dropping them at any collection point. Product residue can contaminate recycling batches and cause otherwise recyclable items to be rejected. 

What should I do with mirrors or magnetic closures?
Remove them where possible. These components are usually a mix of materials and are better suited to specialist drop-off points than kerbside bins. 

Where can I find my nearest beauty recycling drop-off point?
Use the locator tools at TerraCycle or Pact Collective, or check with your local Mecca, Priceline, or Woolworths if you are in Australia.