60+ Cosmetic packaging waste statistics showing impact & change
The cosmetic industry generates billions of packaging units each year, contributing significantly to global waste.
Global statistics on cosmetic packaging waste
This section highlights key statistics that reveal the scale and environmental impact of cosmetic packaging.
The cosmetics industry produces approximately 120 billion units of packaging annually, much of which isn’t recyclable.¹
An estimated 70% of cosmetic packaging waste ends up in landfills.¹
Only 14% of all plastic waste, not just that from cosmetics, is collected for recycling, and only 19% actuallt gets recycled.²
95% of beauty packaging waste goes unrecycled.³
About 50% of plastics are associated with aggressive chemical compounds that can cause irreversible environmental consequences.⁴
Approximately 40% of plastic produced is used for packaging, which is often single-use.⁵
Asia-Pacific held a 42% share of the cosmetics packaging market in 2024.⁶
The global cosmetic packaging market is projected to grow from $58 billion to nearly $80 billion between 2025 and 2032, reflecting strong demand and steady industry growth.⁶
Plastics held a 59% share of the cosmetic packaging material segment in 2023, making them the leading material.⁷
Only 13% of beauty products are free from microplastics, according to a report.⁸
56% of Brits don't recycle bathroom products, according to research by Garnier.⁹
Approximately 10 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into our oceans every year.⁵
About 88% of the sea's surface is polluted by plastic waste.⁵
These statistics prove just how much cosmetic packaging waste contributes to global pollution, which, at this scale, makes it a major threat to life in oceans and on land. The most important thing consumers and the packaging industry can do is acknowledge this so that radical change can be made at a supply chain level.
Image source: Stamped with love XOXO
Environmental impact of cosmetic packaging
Cosmetic packaging doesn’t just create waste. It leaves a lasting mark on the environment.
From recycling rates to microplastic pollution, these figures show the true ecological cost of the beauty industry.
Approximately 10 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into our oceans every year.⁵
About 88% of the sea's surface is polluted by plastic waste.⁵
A 2021 scientific report revealed that all 240 fish, squid, and shrimp specimens studied contained microplastics, indicating widespread contamination.¹¹
Approximately 70% of beauty products contain some element of palm oil, the farming of which contributes to large-scale deforestation.¹²
Approximately 80% of the environmental impact of packaging is determined during the design process, emphasising the importance of sustainable design choices.¹⁵
At least 633 marine species are affected by microplastics in the water, posing a serious threat to marine biodiversity.¹⁰
30-50% of the industry's emissions come from sourcing raw materials, highlighting the need for specific targets focussed on reducing emissions from sourcing.¹⁴
Plastic packaging can take up to 500 years to decompose, and even then, it never fully disappears; it just gets smaller and smaller. This contributes to long-term environmental pollution.¹⁷
Nearly 2,100 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected by plastics. Nearly every species of seabird eats plastics.¹³
The environmental impact of cosmetic packaging goes beyond the products themselves when you look at how much the oceans, wildlife, and other resources are affected. All this proves is that a drastic change in materials and design needs to be made for the industry to start taking a more sustainable course.
Image source: Shorr
Recycling realities in the cosmetics industry
Despite growing awareness, most cosmetics packaging still ends up in landfills. These stats reveal the gaps between recycling potential and current practices.
62% of plastic packaging used in cosmetics is not recyclable.¹⁶
56% of Brits don't recycle bathroom products, according to research by Garnier.⁹
While 94% of US consumers support recycling, only 35% actually recycle due to confusion and a lack of convenient options. —17?
In FY24, Lush customers returned nearly 820,000 packaging items in the UK, amounting to nearly 20 tonnes of plastic.¹⁸
Since 2018, 65% of beauty brands and retailers have reduced their virgin plastic packaging output by increasing the use of post-consumer recycled plastics.¹⁹
Due to inherent design flaws and gaps in infrastructure, the proper processing and recycling of cosmetic packaging are not yet a reality. It’s not that we should not try to recycle as a waste management process, but let’s just say there are many recycling myths out there.
Instead, better materials are required, ones that will close this loop and are designed to be circular or at least easy to recycle.
Corporate responsibility and regulations in cosmetic packaging
As sustainability expectations rise, big brands and governments are responding with measurable commitments. This section outlines how corporate action and regulation are shaping the future of cosmetic packaging.
In 2023, 80% of L’Oréal’s PET plastic came from recycled sources.³⁴
40% of Mugler's sales now come from refills, as the L'Oréal-owned brand has introduced refill options through in-store fountains.²⁰
Estée Lauder’s has set the goal of reducing virgin petroleum content in their plastic packaging to 50% or less by 2025, as part of the company’s commitment to sustainability.²¹
Aveda’s (an Estée Lauder brand) paper-based, recyclable sachets for product samples reduce water consumption by at least 36% and emissions by 37%, compared to plastic alternatives.²¹
100% of all Aesop ‘s packaging will be recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025, predominantly using recycled PET plastic.²²
91 tonnes of beauty packaging are set to be recycled by 2025 through Nordstrom’s BeautyCycle initiative in partnership with TerraCycle.²³
The EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) sets binding requirements for sustainable packaging, including mandates on recyclability and reuse.²⁴
The UK's EPR scheme requires producers to cover the full cost of managing packaging waste, incentivising sustainable packaging choices.²⁵
Over 80 years since the last major update in 1938, the Modernisation of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) marks the most significant expansion of the FDA's authority to regulate cosmetics in the US, aiming to ensure the safety of cosmetic products.²⁶
ISO 22715 provides guidelines for manufacturers on best practices for cosmetic packaging and labelling, ensuring product quality and safety.²⁷
The COSMOS-standard sets certification requirements for organic and natural cosmetics products in Europe, promoting sustainable practices.²⁸
EC Regulation 1223/2009 sets binding requirements for cosmetic products in the EU, including safety assessments and labelling standards.²⁹
Evolving regulations mean corporations have to take increasing responsibility for their choices in packaging materials and reducing carbon emissions. Cosmetic packaging waste is surely seeing the impact of this.
Consumer behaviour and trends
Image source: Shorr
Shoppers are increasingly prioritising sustainability, influencing how brands design and package their products. These trends reflect shifting preferences and purchasing habits in the beauty market.
A significant 90% of consumers say they are more likely to purchase from brands that offer sustainable packaging options.³⁰
Over half (54%) of consumers have consciously selected products with sustainable packaging in the past six months.³⁰
Nearly half (43%) of shoppers are willing to pay a premium for products with recyclable packaging materials.³⁰
Approximately 39% of consumers have switched to competing brands that offer sustainable packaging solutions.³⁰
About 62% of consumers now consider sustainability more pivotal in their purchasing decisions compared to two years prior.³¹
A substantial 80% of consumers express interest in purchasing products with refillable packaging to reduce environmental impact.³⁵
Approximately 70% of consumers favour packaging that clearly indicates its sustainability credentials.³⁰
One in five shoppers actively avoids products that lack clear sustainability labelling.³⁰
About 56% of Gen Z consumers have consciously chosen products with sustainable packaging in recent months.³⁰
A significant 59% of Millennials have deliberately selected products featuring sustainable packaging.³⁰
30% of consumers say they have noticed improvements in the sustainability of beauty and cosmetics packaging.³⁰
Over 80% of users say TikTok influences their beauty purchases, making platforms like TikTok increasingly influential in the beauty industry.³²
Image source: Shorr
Consumers, especially those 40 years old and younger, are pushing the industry to become more sustainable. Growing awareness among Gen Z and Millennials means that brands that cater to these demographics are more likely to grow by earning their long-term loyalty with sustainability efforts.
Cosmetic packaging solutions & innovations
The cosmetic industry is embracing creative sustainable packaging. From new materials, refill systems, and design strategies to reduce the impact of packaging, there’s a lot of innovation to go around. Here are showcases of key innovations leading the way in sustainable cosmetic industry.
The global cosmetics packaging market is set to grow from $47.3 billion in 2024 to $61.9 billion by 2030, based on rising demand for sustainable options like recyclable, refillable, and biodegradable packaging.³³
A CAGR of nearly 6% from 2024 to 2030 is expected for paper and paperboard materials, reflecting a shift towards “eco-friendly” packaging options.³³
A number of different awards and recognitions have popped up in recent years that put the spotlight on cosmetic packaging innovations: LUXE PACK in green Awards, Formes de Luxe Awards and PENTAWARDS, to name a few.
Innovative packaging brands are changing the cosmetic packaging industry, making it more sustainable by embracing new materials and circular models. These important changes will be the foundation of a future where waste will be reduced and consumer expectations will be met.
At Woola, we’re already part of this shift, turning leftover wool into premium, protective packaging that replaces plastic bubble wrap. Our shipping packaging for cosmetics has already won a number of innovation awards — and the hearts of consumers.
If you’re ready to show your sustainability commitments in action, talk to our team or request a free Woola sample today.
Sources
- Zero Waste Week
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation — Plastics and the circular economy – deep dive
- Cosmetics Design — CleanHub Report on Beauty Packaging Waste
- MDPI — Plastics and Microplastic in the Cosmetic Industry: Aggregating Sustainable Actions Aimed at Alignment and Interaction with UN Sustainable Development Goals
- SeaCliff Beauty — Ocean Bound Plastic
- Fortune Business Insights — Cosmetic Packaging Market
- Market.us — Cosmetic Packaging Market Report
- BusinessWaste — Makeup Waste Statistics
- Marie Claire — How to Recycle Beauty Products
- The Industry Beauty — Beauty Packaging Goes Unrecycled
- Nature.com — Microplastic pollution in seawater and marine organisms across the Tropical Eastern Pacific and Galápagos
- Croda — Being Different Sustainability Report
- WWF — Impacts of Plastic Pollution in the Oceans on Marine Species, Biodiversity and Ecosystems
- Carbon Trust — Greenhouse gloss
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation — An introduction to circular design
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation — Cosmetics insights : Plastic packaging
- United Nations — In Images: Plastic is Forever
- The Sun — Lush Recycling Initiative
- Stamped With Love — Sustainable Packaging Statistics
- BeautyMatter — The Beauty Drop-Off: Pact and Ulta Redefine Recycling
- The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) — Social Impact & Sustainability Report
- Vogue Business — Aesop & ESG in Beauty
- Vogue — Nordstrom BeautyCycle Program
- EU — Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
- UK Gov — Packaging Waste EPR
- FDA — MoCRA 2022
- ISO — Standard 22715 for Cosmetic Packaging
- COSMOS Standard — Organic and Natural Cosmetics
- EUR-Lex — EU Regulation 1223/2009
- Shorr Packaging — Sustainable Packaging Consumer Report
- GCI Magazine — What Beauty Consumers Want from Packaging
- The Times — TikTok and the UK Cosmetics Market
- BusinessWire — Global Forecast on Cosmetic Packaging
- L’Oréal on LinkedIn