The $500 Billion Beauty Industry's Evasive Efforts to Go Green Are Falling Short.
A growing number of consumers are looking for more sustainable options in the beauty industry, leading companies to set environmental goals such as reducing single-use plastics and increasing recyclable packaging. However, many brands' efforts to clean up their acts have been inconsistent, with some companies using misleading marketing tactics and a lack of transparency about product ingredients.
The British Beauty Council has found that consumers are still struggling to understand the sustainability credentials of many products, partly due to the industry's failure to set collective goals or establish standardized regulations. In fact, the council states that only 9% of global plastic waste is recycled, with countries like the US recycling a mere 4%.
Some companies have made efforts to phase out harmful plastics from their operations and adopt post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, but progress has been slow. L'Oréal, for example, aims to use 50% PCR plastic by 2025, while Estee Lauder is targeting 25%. However, the use of PCR plastic remains expensive due to limited supply and high demand.
The beauty industry's lack of standardization is also a significant issue. The British Beauty Council notes that companies can set their own rules for sustainability claims, leading to "greenwashing" where brands make unsubstantiated environmental claims. This has resulted in consumer confusion, particularly among those looking for natural or organic products.
In response, some brands are taking the initiative to become more transparent about product ingredients and manufacturing processes. For example, Beautycounter has launched a platform called "The Never List," which lists over 2,800 chemicals that the company claims to never use in its products.
However, the beauty industry's reliance on marketing language, such as "clean beauty" or "natural ingredients," is also problematic. This can lead consumers to believe that a product is safer or more sustainable than it actually is. As British Beauty Council CEO Millie Kendall notes, this kind of language is becoming increasingly misleading and needs to be replaced with more credible certifications.
Ultimately, the industry's failure to prioritize sustainability has significant implications for the environment and public health. As Mia Davis, vice president of sustainability and impact at Credo Beauty, notes, regulation can only raise the bar so far, while market leadership is key to driving meaningful change.
In this regard, it remains to be seen whether brands will continue to take the lead in sustainability efforts or if governments and regulatory bodies will step in to provide more robust standards. One thing is clear: the beauty industry's lack of transparency and accountability has significant consequences that will only be addressed through collective advocacy and initiative.
A growing number of consumers are looking for more sustainable options in the beauty industry, leading companies to set environmental goals such as reducing single-use plastics and increasing recyclable packaging. However, many brands' efforts to clean up their acts have been inconsistent, with some companies using misleading marketing tactics and a lack of transparency about product ingredients.
The British Beauty Council has found that consumers are still struggling to understand the sustainability credentials of many products, partly due to the industry's failure to set collective goals or establish standardized regulations. In fact, the council states that only 9% of global plastic waste is recycled, with countries like the US recycling a mere 4%.
Some companies have made efforts to phase out harmful plastics from their operations and adopt post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, but progress has been slow. L'Oréal, for example, aims to use 50% PCR plastic by 2025, while Estee Lauder is targeting 25%. However, the use of PCR plastic remains expensive due to limited supply and high demand.
The beauty industry's lack of standardization is also a significant issue. The British Beauty Council notes that companies can set their own rules for sustainability claims, leading to "greenwashing" where brands make unsubstantiated environmental claims. This has resulted in consumer confusion, particularly among those looking for natural or organic products.
In response, some brands are taking the initiative to become more transparent about product ingredients and manufacturing processes. For example, Beautycounter has launched a platform called "The Never List," which lists over 2,800 chemicals that the company claims to never use in its products.
However, the beauty industry's reliance on marketing language, such as "clean beauty" or "natural ingredients," is also problematic. This can lead consumers to believe that a product is safer or more sustainable than it actually is. As British Beauty Council CEO Millie Kendall notes, this kind of language is becoming increasingly misleading and needs to be replaced with more credible certifications.
Ultimately, the industry's failure to prioritize sustainability has significant implications for the environment and public health. As Mia Davis, vice president of sustainability and impact at Credo Beauty, notes, regulation can only raise the bar so far, while market leadership is key to driving meaningful change.
In this regard, it remains to be seen whether brands will continue to take the lead in sustainability efforts or if governments and regulatory bodies will step in to provide more robust standards. One thing is clear: the beauty industry's lack of transparency and accountability has significant consequences that will only be addressed through collective advocacy and initiative.
50% PCR plastic by 2025 is a pretty ambitious goal, and yeah, it might be expensive, but that's not gonna stop them from trying, right? 
The thing is, consumers are just so confused about what's really sustainable and what's not. I mean, who can really keep up with all the labels like "clean beauty" or whatever? 
It's all a bit of a mess, if you ask me.
I think some companies are trying their best, like L'Oréal and Estee Lauder, but it's all about the hype right now 
. They're using buzzwords like "clean beauty" without actually backing it up with science.
. We need more transparency, not just empty promises of sustainability 
. The Never List by Beautycounter sounds like a great start, but we need more brands to follow suit 
.
. We can't rely on companies alone to solve this issue; it needs a collective effort from consumers, activists, and the industry itself 
.
. All these companies setting "environmental goals" sounds like just a PR stunt to me. Where are the real changes? I mean, 9% of global plastic waste is still recycled? That's not progress, that's just a drop in the ocean. And don't even get me started on this "greenwashing" thing... it's just marketing speak 
. Consumers need to be more critical and demand better from these companies. We can't rely on them to self-regulate 
. It's time for some real standards and accountability 
.
in the beauty industry right now! i mean, we know we need sustainable options and all, but it feels like some brands are just winging it and using misleading marketing tactics 
. 9% of global plastic waste being recycled is wild 
. like, how can that be? it's crazy that companies have their own rules for sustainability claims too, leading to "greenwashing" 
.
. The Never List is everything and more! 
and yeah, using language like "clean beauty" or "natural ingredients" can be super misleading 
. if brands keep taking the lead on sustainability, we might actually see some real change 
. but at the same time, i hope governments and regulatory bodies step up and provide more robust standards too 
. it's all about collective advocacy and initiative 
. lets get this beauty industry to go green for good 
Like, what does that even mean? Is it just a marketing term to make us feel better about our consumer choices? It's time for brands to step up their game and provide some actual evidence of sustainability, rather than just using buzzwords to sell us products.
I couldn't agree more. It's time for brands to take responsibility for their impact and lead the way towards a more sustainable future.