Cosmetics

Alternative ways to recycle
Put in Garbage/Landfill

Cosmetics and their small plastic containers and applicators belong in the garbage.

The Ideal Disposal Method for Makeup? Use It Up

Cosmetics tend to contain a lot of chemicals, so it’s better to use them up than to send them to landfills. If you do need to throw your makeup out, it’s important to keep chemicals out of waterways, so do not dump it down the drain or flush it down the toilet.

Alternative Ways to Recycle

Mac Cosmetics

Back to MAC Program

Through the Back to MAC program, MAC accepts the return of its primary packaging containers. When you return six containers to a MAC counter or ship them back, you’ll get a free lipstick.

Origins

Return to Origins Program

Bring your empty cosmetic tubes, bottles and jars — regardless of brand —  to an Origins retail store or department store counter, and they will recycle it all for you, for free. Find out more.

Kiehls

Kiehl's Recycle & Be Rewarded Program

Bring your empty Kiehl’s bottles back to a store, and earn rewards for complimentary products. Find out more.

cosmetics-aveda-logo

Aveda's Full Circle Recycling Program

Any Aveda packaging not accepted curbside, such as makeup brushes and various bottles, jars, tubes and pumps, can be brought into any Aveda Experience Center retail store in the United States and placed in the Full Circle recycling bin. Find an Aveda location or learn more about Aveda’s commitment to responsible packaging.

lush2

Lush's Pot Return Program

Bring five empty black or clear Lush pots to any of their shops, and they will give you a free fresh face mask. Lush sends your old pots to their supplier to regrind and remold them into a whole new batch of pots. Find out more.

Ways to Reduce

Ways to Reuse

mascara brush

Reuse the Mascara Spoolie as a Brush

Wash off the spoolie of an expired mascara with dish soap and turn it into a brow or lash brush.

compact

Use a Makeup Compact for Storage

An old makeup compact doesn’t need to be thrown out. It’s perfect for storing earrings, coins, mints, and other small items.

Did You Know?

The Story of Cosmetics

 This animated video helps you evaluate what cosmetics you’re putting on your body, including shampoo and body wash, which are used by both men and women. Less than 20 percent of these cosmetics have been inspected for adverse chemical effects, and words such as “herbal” and “natural” have no legal meaning.

Major Ecosystem Contaminant

According to EPA estimates, more than three million tons of personal care chemicals are dumped into waterways each year, adversely impacting our ecosystems.