We’ve all heard of ‘fast fashion’, but it’s time to realise, that ‘fast beauty’ is a thing too. Fast fashion has long dominated conversations, highlighting the cycle of excessive production to satisfy our insatiable appetite for more trendy garments and styles. However, a concerning new trend is now taking shape – the rise of ‘fast beauty.’ For those of us who relish in the endless array of lipsticks, face creams, palettes, cleansers, serums, and more, it’s time to pause and reflect on the consequences of our consumption choices.
In recent years, social media trends have fueled a culture of excess in the beauty realm, enticing us with visually appealing shelfies and hauls. Unfortunately, the consequences of this mindset are beginning to surface, affecting our purchasing habits in a negative way. Startling research reveals that annual beauty spending in the UK has skyrocketed by over six times by 2022.
While it’s evident that our expenditure on beauty products has surged, a study conducted by Fragrance Direct paints a different picture. For example, it reveals that, despite our willingness to splurge on beauty, the average woman in the UK uses a mere 12 products in her daily beauty routine. So, what happens to all those irresistible purchases? The story unfolds that most of these products languishing in our drawers eventually ends up discarded.
The Package Problem
In the world of beauty, products and packaging go hand in hand, designed to captivate consumers eye and entice them to make a purchase. The aesthetically pleasing nature of these products plays a significant role in their success. However, this emphasis on visual appeal comes with its own set of challenges.
Plastic packaging has become a prevalent choice for beauty industry producers due to its cost-effectiveness in terms of production and transportation costs. This, in turn, enables brands to offer more accessible prices making beauty and personal care products easily attainable.
The issue of sustainability arises prominently during the disposal phase. Much like the challenges presented by fast fashion, the proper and sustainable disposal of beauty products proves to be a complex task. Recycling them is far from straightforward due to the intricate compositions of packing of these products.
The hurdles faced in recycling beauty products are numerous. Small containers pose a challenge in terms of thorough cleaning, while multi-compositional packaging requires meticulous separation at the material level. Colored and opaque plastics often struggle to find demand in the recyclables market, further complicating the recycling process. Moreover, the small size of caps, pots, wands, and trays commonly found in makeup and skincare products often go unnoticed or unprocessed at recycling facilities. Consequently, most conventional beauty products contribute to the mounting plastic waste problem, ultimately ending up in landfills. In regions with insufficient waste management systems, they may be burned, buried, or inadvertently littered, finding their way into our oceans and waterways.
And Again – Less is More
The urgent need for adequate recovery solutions is apparent. The beauty industry must strive to develop innovative recycling methods and address the complexities of product packaging. Collaboration between brands, waste management facilities and consumers is crucial in finding sustainable disposal solutions. By promoting initiatives that facilitate the collection and recycling beauty products, we can mitigate the environmental impact of our cosmetic consumption.
As consumers, we also bear the responsibility of making conscious choices. Supporting brands that prioritize sustainable packaging, embracing refillable options, and participating in recycling programs specifically designed for beauty products can make a significant difference. By advocating for improved waste management infrastructure and raising awareness about the environmental consequences of improper disposal, we can collectively contribute to reducing plastic waste and safeguarding our precious ecosystems.
By adopting a more mindful approach to beauty, focusing on quality over quantity, and making conscious choices about the products we invest in, we can reshape our consumption patterns. Embracing a minimalistic beauty routine and supporting brands that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices can help us steer away from the pitfalls of excessive beauty consumption.
