The global beauty industry's efforts to become more sustainable are being undermined by a patchwork of inconsistent practices, falling short of meaningful environmental impact.
In an effort to appeal to consumers' growing desire for eco-friendly products, many companies have set sustainability goals, including reducing single-use plastics and using recyclable packaging. However, these initiatives often lack transparency and standardization, making it difficult for consumers to understand the true environmental credentials of their purchases.
The industry's reliance on certifications like B Corp, which assesses a company's ethics and sustainability, has been criticized as voluntary and insufficient to address the scale of the problem. Governments and multinationals have also been slow to enforce regulations and set minimum standards for sustainability claims.
The weight of retail plays a significant role in driving change, but many brands fail to prioritize waste reduction and pollution throughout their supply chains, manufacturing, and shipping processes. Instead, they focus on making superficial changes to packaging and labeling.
One solution is for smaller businesses to take the lead on sustainability, often by incorporating eco-friendly practices into their core values from the start. Companies like FEKKAI have made strides in using PCR plastic in their packaging, but the high cost and limited supply of recycled materials pose significant challenges.
Ultimately, meaningful change will require a combination of market leadership, customer advocacy, and regulatory support. As consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability, companies must respond with concrete actions to reduce waste and pollution throughout their operations. Without it, the beauty industry's efforts to become more sustainable will fall short of its ambitious goals.
In an effort to appeal to consumers' growing desire for eco-friendly products, many companies have set sustainability goals, including reducing single-use plastics and using recyclable packaging. However, these initiatives often lack transparency and standardization, making it difficult for consumers to understand the true environmental credentials of their purchases.
The industry's reliance on certifications like B Corp, which assesses a company's ethics and sustainability, has been criticized as voluntary and insufficient to address the scale of the problem. Governments and multinationals have also been slow to enforce regulations and set minimum standards for sustainability claims.
The weight of retail plays a significant role in driving change, but many brands fail to prioritize waste reduction and pollution throughout their supply chains, manufacturing, and shipping processes. Instead, they focus on making superficial changes to packaging and labeling.
One solution is for smaller businesses to take the lead on sustainability, often by incorporating eco-friendly practices into their core values from the start. Companies like FEKKAI have made strides in using PCR plastic in their packaging, but the high cost and limited supply of recycled materials pose significant challenges.
Ultimately, meaningful change will require a combination of market leadership, customer advocacy, and regulatory support. As consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability, companies must respond with concrete actions to reduce waste and pollution throughout their operations. Without it, the beauty industry's efforts to become more sustainable will fall short of its ambitious goals.
. I mean, sure, using recyclable packaging and reducing single-use plastics is a good start, but it's not enough if we're not making real changes throughout our supply chains 
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. But what really needs to happen is for the industry as a whole to prioritize waste reduction and pollution prevention over just making a pretty face 
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. We can't just expect brands to magically make sustainable changes without us holding them to it 
. And honestly, I'm not sure how much longer I can justify buying into the hype of a brand that's just trying to look good on paper 
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We can't just sit back and let the beauty industry perpetuate its unsustainable practices. We need to demand more 
I think some big brands are just using eco-friendly labels as a marketing gimmick 
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. They can start by incorporating eco-friendly practices into their core values from the beginning and not just focus on superficial changes like new packaging 
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. We need more than just certifications and voluntary efforts to make a real impact 
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The thing is, I get that everyone wants to be eco-friendly, but if we're being real...it's kinda hard to know what's actually going on behind the scenes 
. We just need more consumers like me pushing for transparency and real change...and maybe some stronger regulations to back it up 
