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Plastic-Free Beauty Packaging from the Nordics
We’re seeing a lot of changes in beauty brands’ packaging where recycled plastic is being introduced, making us feel like heroes for buying cosmetics wrapped up in something that otherwise would have killed a sea turtle. But is recycled plastic really that sustainable?
Considering the fact that 79 % of all plastics ever produced by humans end up in landfills, recyclable plastic does not sound like a sustainable solution. Yes, it will take a longer time for recyclable plastic to find its way into nature, but eventually it’ll end up littering the Earth and breaking down into microplastics that can already be found in human bodies.
There are some amazing innovations on the market already, offering a solution for a more sustainable future in the beauty industry when it comes to packaging –recycled plastic not being part of the list. With all the change out there, we are still waiting for the big companies to speed up their sustainability journey, especially when it comes to packaging, and for more consumers to pay attention to the biodegradable options. Here, we wanted to highlight brands that are making a difference with their packaging and make it easier for you to make that change.
bio-based plastic alternative
Sulapac’s plastic alternative is made of wood- and plant-based binders that conveniently are able to be processed with already existing plastic product machinery. Making the switch to an eco-friendly alternative is very easy, as companies don’t even have to invest a great amount of money to buy new production machinery, but only swap to material – brilliant! What more – Sulapac have previously only offered packaging material for only waterless cosmetic, but this spring, they joined forces with Quadpac and are now able to provide biodegradable material for cosmetics packaging containing water. Backed up by beauty giant Chanel, the company just announced their new Les Eaux De Chanel fragrance bottles that come with bio-based caps created in partnership with Sulapac. This project is part of a long-term partnership and we look forward to more sustainable upgrades!
Lipstick in a wooden case
Another Finnish innovation comes with the beautiful, natural lipsticks of Havu Cosmetics. They are placed in wooden cases made of Finnish or Estonian alden or aspen, while the container is made of starch based PLA (polylactide) – making the lipstick case fully biodegradable. The wooden packaging is an eye catcher in anyone’s makeup bag and is a beauty staple you don’t want to throw away – luckily, Havu Cosmetics have a brilliant refill system with a new shade delivered in a recyclable cardboard box, easily to be put into your already existing wooden case. Their velvety and moisturizing lipsticks are made with a natural formula containing jojoba oil and bee’s wax, and come in 18 beautiful shades.
carbon neutral cardboard
You‘ve probably by now have noticed that Finns are pretty big on innovative thinking, as yet another Finnish beauty brand is on this list. The beauty newcomer Moi Forest comes in a cardboard tube that is easily recyclable, meaning all of their products are carbon neutral (they are still using recyclable plastic in their cap, but this is a detail they’re working on). The formula itself has been praised on the Finnish market with jaw-dropping results on soothing atopic skin and eczema.
Next up is a few nominees from this years’ Nordic Natural Beauty Awards. There are a lot of interesting beauty products on the list, and some brilliant sustainable packaging solutions that caught our attention.
Skincare in a piece of art
Oquist is a new Swedish brand launched this summer, providing consumers with a small range of 5 products that will replace all the 20 plastic bottles laying around in your bathroom. The packaging itself is a beautiful vessel made of terracotta – a brilliant natural material that makes us wonder how come no one thought of this ancient solution before. The vessel resembles a piece from an art gallery, rather than your bathroom staple.
Floating packaging for sea lovers
This Swedish gem will make any sea lover smile, as their clever packaging floats in the water. Delivered in a convenient cardboard box where one can store the soap, and with the cork attached to the product, this lovely piece is a must for anyone spending a lot of time near the water. The product itself comes with a nostalgic scent that reminds me of childhood sauna sessions, and contains detergent substance derived from olive oil – all infused with lovely sea buckthorn fruit extract.
Which sustainable packaging option will you choose?
