The Good. Clean. Fun.™ BLOG

On 18 March, the world celebrated Global Recycling Day. It's a day that is dedicated to educating people around the world on the importance of recycling. It's all about the preservation of the Earth.

Why is recycling more important now than ever before?

With the population continuing to grow and consume more resources, it’s more important than ever to recycle as much as possible. Recycling helps to conserve energy and resources, reduces pollution, and cuts down on landfill waste.

Here are some specific reasons why recycling is so important:

1. It conserves energy

Recycling requires less energy than producing new products from scratch.

2. It conserves resources

When we recycle, we’re able to reuse valuable materials like metals, glass, and paper instead of having to mine or harvest new resources. This helps to conserve the earth’s limited resources.

3. It reduces pollution

The manufacturing process of many products results in harmful emissions being released into the environment. Recycling can help to reduce these emissions and protect our air and water quality.

4. It cuts down on landfill waste

Landfills are quickly reaching capacity due to the increasing amount of trash we produce. recycling helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, prolonging their life span.

5. It creates jobs

The recycling industry employs millions of people around the world. In the United States alone, there are over 1.1 million jobs in the recycling and reuse industry.

As you can see, recycling is more important than ever before. By making a conscious effort to recycle, we can help to make a positive impact on the environment and our economy.

How can you help to reduce plastic pollution?

There are a few simple things you can do to reduce your impact on the environment:

1. Bring your own reusable bags to a store.

2. Say no to plastic straws.

3. Use a reusable water bottle or coffee mug.

4. Recycle as much as possible.

5. Avoid products that contain microbeads.

6. Educate others about the problem of plastic pollution.

By making small changes in our daily lives, we can collectively make a big difference.

Recycling and the beauty industry

When it comes to recycling, there is a great focus in the beauty industry to get on board. This is because the beauty industry produces a lot of waste, and much of this waste is plastic.

While some of this packaging is recycled, a large portion of it ends up in landfills.

In recent years, there has been a push for more sustainable packaging in the beauty industry. For example, many companies are now using recyclable materials like glass and metal for their products.

There’s also been an increase in the use of refillable containers. This helps to reduce waste and is more cost-effective for consumers in the long run.

Our bottles are made with up to 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) PET plastic. That means some of the plastic started its life in someone else’s recycling bin. We’re committed to making 100% of our Better Natured® packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.

Why you need to be recycling your old hair products

If you're like us, then you probably go through about 40 bottles of hair products a year. Imagine all those bottles sitting in your bathroom, and how much space that would take up. Then, imagine how much plastic that is! If you are a product junkie, then this number is likely to be even more.

Have you considered the impact that these bottles make on the environment? Now, we're not saying pull up the handbrake and stop purchasing your much-loved products (you may be considered a lunatic by your fashionista friends). We're simply saying that you should consider recycling these beauty products so that you can do your bit, and be more of a curly-girl eco-warrior.

What kind of plastic do hair products come in?

Most hair products come in either HDPE or PET plastic. Let's look at both of these.

HDPE: High-density polyethylene is a durable, lightweight plastic that is impact resistant. Shampoo bottles made from HDPE are 100% recyclable.

PET: Polyethylene terephthalate is a strong, shatter-resistant plastic. It’s often used for food and beverage packaging. Shampoo bottles made from PET are also 100% recyclable.

Other plastics that are typically in shampoo bottles include:

LDPE: Low-density polyethylene is a soft, flexible plastic that is often used for food packaging. It’s not as durable as HDPE but it is recyclable.

MDPE: Medium-density polyethylene is a tough, impact-resistant plastic that is often used for milk jugs and detergent bottles. It’s recyclable but not as widely accepted by recycling facilities as HDPE and PET.

PVC: Polyvinyl chloride is a strong, rigid plastic that is often used for piping and construction materials. It’s not recyclable. 

A shampoo bottle is no longer just a shampoo bottle...

Having read all of that, I'm sure you are now thinking that a shampoo bottle is no longer just a shampoo bottle - it's a mixture of earth-pollutants!

Hold on, there's no need to be so dramatic. With a small amount of effort and planning, you can become a recycling warrior, one hair product bottle at a time. If you are wondering how to recycle your hair product bottles, read on.

How to Recycle Your Old Hair Products

The first step is to check if your local recycling center accepts HDPE and PET plastics. If they do, then great! You can simply put your bottles in the recycling bin.

Take a look at the labels on your bottles to check that it is recyclable

Look for the recycling symbol on your bottle. We’ve partnered with How2Recycle to take the guess work out of the process. How2Recycle is a standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public.

Their easy labelling system breaks down how to prepare the material for recycling, local instructions, what type of material the packaging is made, and parts that can be recycled in the package.

Keep an eye on the glass color

If your hair product comes in a glass container, what color it is matters. Green, brown and clear are the preferred colors for recycling programs.

Pumps and droppers are problematic

If you have a shampoo or conditioner that has a pump or dropper, make sure to remove these before recycling. These accessories are often made with different plastics that can't be recycled. There are often components such as springs and other items inside that you can't see. Rather separate these.

Don't throw away your hair spray cans

When it comes to hairspray and aerosol dry shampoo products, most are made from aluminum and steel. Both of these are recyclable, so make sure you put them in the right recycling bin.

Make sure you rinse your bottles

Before you recycle your hair product bottles, make sure you rinse them out. Any leftover product will contaminate other materials in the recycling process. Your bottles may attract bugs if there is product residue left behind, which becomes a big problem for any recycling facility.

Take it back to the brand for recycling

If you can't recycle your hair product bottle at home, don't fret! Consider Terracycling! Terracycle is a company that recycles hard-to-recycle waste. They have a program specifically for beauty products and packaging, so if you can't recycle your product at home, you can send it to them. Here are the details on how to send your favorite, finished, Better Natured products back!

So, there you have it! These are just a few ways that you can recycle your old hair products. By making a small effort, you can help to reduce your environmental footprint and do your part in saving our planet.

Think outside the, erm, bottle!

If your local recycling center does not accept HDPE and PET plastics, don't worry - there are still ways that you can recycle your bottles. Here are some ideas:

1. Upcycle them into something else!

2. donate them to a local school or daycare center that can use them for arts and crafts

3. Repurpose them into storage containers for your bathroom or beauty products

4. Use them as micro plant pots!

We hope this article has inspired you to start recycling your old hair products. Remember, every little bit helps when it comes to saving our planet!

If you would like to add to your hair product collection, why not browse our extensive range of hair products. When you’re done, you can simply recycle the bottle to do your bit!