HOW DO BEAUTY PRODUCTS POLLUTE THE ENVIRONMENT? 

The unsustainable production practices of many cosmetics and personal care products can have disastrous effects on the environment. These are some of the main reasons why:

 

• WATER USAGE. Water (or aqua) is listed as the main ingredient in most beauty products. Large quantities are required to manufacture commonly used synthetic chemicals and deal with waste by-products. 

 

• PACKAGING. The plastics used for most personal care products are extremely strong, so as not to be degraded by the many chemicals they contain. The production of these bottles is extremely water and energy intensive, resulting in huge amounts of plastic bottles in our landfills and oceans. By 2050, it’s predicted the amount of plastic in the ocean will weigh more than the amount of fish in the ocean.

 

• CHEMICALS. Synthetic substances used in cosmetics do not break down and instead accumulate in the world’s ecosystems, flowing into rivers, lakes, oceans and public water systems. This affects everything and everyone, as these chemicals are not only found in our waters, but in soils and household dust as well. While the public is becoming increasingly aware of the health risks associated with synthetic cosmetics and personal care products, their far-reaching effects on the environment remain widely unknown.

 

• UNSUSTAINABLE SOURCING METHODS. As consumers are increasingly searching for natural ingredients, companies are looking for ways to get huge quantities of these ingredients, as quickly and cheap as possible. This, in turn, leads to increased resource-intensive processes like mining and farming, which use synthetic, toxic pesticides and deplete entire ecosystems critical for human life.

 

WHAT MAKES A COMPANY TRULY SUSTAINABLE? 

To ascertain whether a beauty and personal care company is truly sustainable, it is necessary to take a look at the entire supply chain - from ingredients to manufacturing processes, packaging, delivery and waste disposal - instead of just focusing on labels marking the product as ‘anti-pollution’, ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘natural’.

So, what can beauty companies do to take a lead on climate action and protect the environment?

• Reduce energy and water consumption
• Invest in renewable energy to reduce pollution
• Produce less or zero waste
• Educate consumers about sustainable products
• Conduct sustainable ingredient sourcing to minimize damage to the environment

 

To safeguard the plant’s health, beauty and personal care companies must change the way they produce. With sustainable practices throughout its entire supply chain, ViTA is taking a lead and proving that the beauty and personal care industry can have an immensely positive impact in creating a cleaner and greener future. But ultimately, the power to protect the environment lies with the consumer and their willingness to switch to truly eco-friendly brands.

 

Click here to learn more about ViTA’s initiatives and certifications that help build a more sustainable future.