The three commandments of the sustainable babe’s cannon are simple: Reduce, Reuse, and (you guessed it) Recycle. But when it comes to beauty products, recycling can be a little trickier than other disposable goods. So, dive in with us as we tell you exactly how to recycle every piece of Beauty by Earth packaging. From glass jars to that empty sunscreen tube, we’ve got the answers right here!

Beauty Product Boxes

These will be a breeze! We make our boxes from SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) paper in a wind-powered facility and they will be recycled like any other cardboard or paper box with ease. 
Products: Gua Sha Box, Jade Roller Box, Rose Quartz Roller Box, Ice Roller Box, Beauty By Earth Box Packaging

How to Recycle Beauty Product Boxes

Step 1: Remove products from their box. 

Step 2: Break down the box. You don’t want it taking up too much space in your recycling bin. Then just toss it in your bin. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Glass Bottles and Jars

These tricksters need extra patience and care, but don’t all good things in life? Hang with us and we will tackle this together! 
Products: Balance & Restore Luxury Facial Oil, Glowing & Radiant Facial Oil,  Hyperactive Anti-Aging Vitamin C Serum, Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Self Tanning Serum, Self Tanning Mist, Self Tanner Drops

How to Recycle Beauty Product Glass Bottles and Jars

Can I recycle it?

Step 1: Check With Your Local Authority! If you need a good place to start, try entering your zip code here at KeepAmericaBeautiful.org to find out what recycling resources are offered near you and the items they accept!

If glass bottles are accepted in your area, let’s do this!

Step 2: Since many of these products come with droppers and rollers, this step is a bit different. For our facial oil, simply remove the dropper from the bottle as we don’t suggest recycling this (however some people find great success re-using it! Just clean it thoroughly first). For our serum, remove the cap and then lightly pry the roller ball out of the container. 

Step 3: Cleaning time! Using a scrubber or sponge use soap and water to rinse and clean out your jar completely 

Step 4: Allow to dry. Once you’ve completely cleaned out your empty container, it’s ready to go! Toss it in your recycling bin or take to your recycling center of choice. Ps. Some people even recommend reusing their gorgeous jars for flowers instead! We’re personally BIG fans of upcycling.

Plastic Tubes, Jars, and Bottles

Plastic. We humans have a complicated relationship with this revolutionary product. We need it, we have so many amazing, even life-saving uses for it. But when it’s time to chuck it, plastics can be a bit tricky. For starters, there are different types of plastics. Typically, manufacturers label plastics a number between 1-7. Here at Beauty By Earth, we currently use #1: PET Plastic, #4: LDPE Plastic, and #5: PP Plastics. Check below for each type of plastic, which product it’s used in, and how we recommend you recycle it.

#1 – PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

Let’s do this! Luckily, plastics #1 ranks as the most commonly recyclable plastic! This one is a breeze. 
Products: Self Tanner Mousse (all sizes), Hyperactive Anti-Aging Vitamin C Facial Toner, Face Wash (all), Body Scrub (all), Body Wash (all), Erase Your Face Makeup Remover, Dry Shampoo & Volume Powder (all), Aloe Vera Gel, Lip Scrub (all), 

How to Recycle Beauty Product Plastics #1

Can I recycle it?

Step 1: Check With Your Local Authority! 

If your area allows recycling of plastics #1, let’s do this!

Step 2: Unscrew your lid or cap from your product. 

Step 3: Cleaning Time! Using a scrubber or sponge use soap and water to rinse and clean out your container completely. 

Step 4: Allow time to dry. Once you’ve confirmed your empty container is totally clean, this baby is ready to go! Toss it in your recycling collection bin or take it to your recycling center of choice. That’s it!

#4 – LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)

Great news! While this form of plastic wasn’t always accepted by recycling centers, most do accept it now. We checked with our’s here in Carrollton, TX and found this super helpful guide! 

Products: Self tanner (Face & Body), Superfruits & Sea Kelp Facial Wash, Superfruits & Chlorophyll Facial Scrub, Facial Sunscreen SPF 20, Sunscreen SPF 25, Oil Control Face Moisturizer, Coffee Bean Eye Cream, Hydrating Face Mask

How to Recycle Beauty Product Plastics #4

Can I recycle it?

Step 1: Check With Your Local Authority!

If your area allows recycling of plastics #4, let’s do this!

Step 2: Since many of these products come in tubes, this step is a bit different. Find a good pair of household scissors and cut along the dotted line (as shown in this image) to remove the remaining product from the tube.

Step 3: Cleaning Time! Using a scrubber or sponge use soap and water to rinse and clean out your tube completely.

Step 4: Allow to dry. Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned out your empty container, this baby is ready to go! Toss it in your recycling collection bin or take to your recycling center of choice. You’re becoming a recycling pro!

#5 – PP (Polypropylene)

These can be a bit trickier to clean than others due to the products we use them for, but don’t let that stop you! You’re a recycling pro at this point. 
Products: Magnesium Deodorant (all), Organic Lip Balm (all)

How to Recycle Beauty Product Plastics #5

Can I recycle it?

Step 1: Check With Your Local Authority! 

If your area allows recycling of plastics #5, let’s do this!

Step 2: Remove the cap from the container or tube. Step 3: Using a scrubber or sponge use soap and water to rinse and clean out your tube completely Step 4: Allow time to dry. Once you’ve given it the good look over (make sure there’s nothing hiding in the bottom!) it’s ready to go! Toss it in your recycling collection bin or take to your recycling center of choice. You’re rocking this! We couldn’t do this sustainability thing without you.

Beauty Product Plastic Lids/Caps

“Our environmental pros say it’s probably better to dispose of them in the trash (since they’re usually made of a different type of plastic), unless your town explicitly says you can throw them in the recycle bin.” – GHK

Can I recycle it?

While many cities offer lid recycling (when attached to the container or bottle), it’s definitely not universal. We this one we definitely recommend checking with your Local Authority! Either way, please be cautious and ensure all product has been cleaned from the lids/caps. Otherwise, recyclers will consider them contaminated and they’ll end up in a landfill. Major boo! 😖

Plastic Biodegradable Bags

We make our biodegradable plastic bags from two primary ingredients:

• PLA (Polylactide, an ingredient made from corn waste and other plants)
• PBAT (Polybutyrate Adipate Terephthalate)

Can I recycle it?

In short – Yes. But we wanted to make this process as easy as possible for you. Our Bio-bags fully decompose on their own in the landfill within 2 years! In other words, these low effort bags will decompose without any extra assistance. Just throw them away in your trash bin and you’re good to go!

Paper Inserts

Our paper inserts can be recycled as is. No fancy legwork required! This includes:

• Receipts
• Coupons
• Thank You cards

More Questions On Recycling?

If you’re still stumped about whether or not you can recycle something in your city,  you can always check what your collection service accepts here. Always feel free to send us an email at: [email protected] if there’s a product that has you stumped or you’d just like some more information regarding packaging and recycling!