Podcast 188: The Big Myth of Plastic Recycling

Growing up in the Netherlands, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier learned the value of recycling plastic from an early age. However, the dominant single-use plastic culture he encountered in countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States was in stark contrast to the practices in the Netherlands.

With a career track record as a Chartered Environmentalist and Biologist, Lorraine is perfectly attuned to any cosmetic companies claims of sustainable packaging, plastic-free alternatives and other green credentials. While many big players are moving towards more responsible packaging systems, a pressing question remains: what really happens to our recycled plastics? Does labeling some plastic cosmetic packaging as recyclable blind us and look like greenwashing?

In last week’s podcast, Lorraine interviewed Dr Suvi Haimi, co-founder and CEO of Sulapac, who debunked the plastic recyclability myth, revealing that some plastics can only be recycled once. In today’s Green Beauty Opinions, Lorraine explores this critical issue.

“Even though we all throw away our plastics thinking they will be recycled, what actually happens to them? We must challenge the myth of the recyclability of plastics.”

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Key takeaways from this episode on recycling plastics:

• The reality of plastic recycling: despite efforts, recycling rates worldwide are far from ideal. For example, only 5% of plastic waste was recycled in the US in 2021.
• The limitations of plastic recycling: Unlike aluminum or glass, recycling plastic degrades its quality, often leading to “down-cycling” rather than the creation of new, similar products.
• The truth about PCR plastics: The post-consumer recycled plastics used by some cosmetic brands are not infinitely recyclable. Brands using PCR plastics often make sustainability claims that do not require recycling or composting by consumers after use.
• Call to check cosmetic packaging: understand the materials used in your cosmetics packaging and consider this in your future beauty product choices.
• Moving beyond appearances: they prioritize sustainability not only in the appearance of the product but also in the packaging.

If you enjoyed this episode about cosmetic packaging and alternatives to plastic in beauty, please check back in the podcast archives. Go listen to these related episodes and topics:

Episode 143: The brand has been creating mascara tubes for 2,500 years.
Episode 117: Should Beauty Be Plastic Free?
Episode 118: Plastic is not the enemy – we are.
Episode 115: The microplastics hiding in your cosmetics.
Episode 112: The Dirty Business of Wasted Beauty.
Episode 93: Innovative Mushroom and Seed Beauty Pack.

Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Formula Botanica Green Beauty Conversations podcast. If you enjoyed listening, please share, subscribe and review this episode on iTunes, Spotify the Youtube so that more people can enjoy the show. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Lorraine Dallmeier is a biologist, certified environmentalist, and CEO of Formula Botanica, the award-winning online organic cosmetics school. Read more about Lorraine and the Formula Botanica team.