Environmentally friendly packaging is an inevitable trend in the development of cosmetics packaging. Currently, domestic enterprises are striving to grow.

According to NHK TV on May 6th, the "upcycling" business of turning waste into treasure has become popular among Japanese enterprises, especially food related enterprises, which are actively developing processed food products from ingredients commonly discarded by people such as fruit peels. A large Japanese food delivery company has successfully produced related products, such as making pear stalks into snack chips and banana peels into fruit sauce.

This environmentally friendly food is eye-catching. When looking back at the cosmetics industry, the industry and enterprises are paying attention to development while also striving to reduce pollution and harm to the environment. It should be noted that with the popularity of natural environmental protection, the advocacy of green and low-carbon concepts, and the pursuit of natural and green production and use in the fiercely competitive cosmetics market, have gradually become an inevitable trend in the industry.

No.1

Sephora Overpackaging Becomes a Typical Case

At the end of April, the State Administration for Market Regulation announced a batch of typical cases of excessive packaging law enforcement for goods. One of the cases involving cosmetics is the investigation of Sephora (Shanghai) Cosmetics Sales Co., Ltd.'s over packaged perfume by the Shanghai Huangpu District Market Supervision Bureau.

It is understood that on July 1, 2020, the Shanghai Market Supervision Bureau entrusted the Shanghai Institute of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Technology to conduct supervision and spot checks on Sephora (Shanghai) Cosmetics Sales Co., Ltd. After testing, it is confirmed that the packaging void ratio of the perfume products sold by the company, such as "Boboli Flower and Her Fragrance Festival Gift Box" and "Gucci Flower Luxury Gift Box", does not meet the national standards and is an over packaged product. On January 21, 2021, the Market Supervision Bureau of Huangpu District ordered corrections in accordance with the law and conducted interviews with relevant production enterprises.

On the afternoon of April 26th, a review meeting was held for the first revision of the national standard "Restriction of Excessive Packaging Requirements for Food and Cosmetics". It was proposed that production organizations should take measures to control the cost of all packaging, except for packaging that directly comes into contact with the contents, to not exceed 20% of the product's sales price.

As is well known, in addition to the product itself, packaging with highlights can also play a positive role in promoting communication between brands and consumers. Appropriate packaging not only attracts consumers' attention, but also fully embodies the brand's taste. Nowadays, more and more cosmetic companies are paying attention to the environmental friendliness of outer packaging and consciously joining this green team.

Shangdao Zongheng and Interface News recently jointly released the "2021 China Sustainable Consumption Report" (hereinafter referred to as the "Report"). The report shows that low-carbon consumption is becoming a daily action of more and more people, and more and more consumers hope that the low-carbon consumption market can continue to grow in the future and have more choices of low-carbon products and services.

No.2

Recycling of waste packaging materials shows various abilities

The environmental wind has also blown into the cosmetics industry. But it can be clear that this is not just a gust of wind, nor is it just a recent experience of 'wind'.

The Tide Observer reporter learned that on the eve of the "2022 National Cosmetic Safety Science Popularization Week", the China Department Store Business Association issued an initiative to promote the "Green Recycling of Cosmetic Packaging Materials for Retail Enterprises" to a large number of retail enterprises.

The initiative points out that firstly, retail enterprises should fully play their main role in the safe and green management of cosmetics, effectively enhance their sense of mission and responsibility, adhere to environmental protection concepts in cosmetics business activities, and carry out green management.

Secondly, it is necessary to establish a mechanism and process for the recycling and utilization of discarded cosmetic packaging materials based on the company's own situation, to effectively recycle and properly dispose of the discarded packaging materials.

Thirdly, we need to guide consumers to establish a green and environmentally friendly consumption concept, and encourage them to actively participate in the recycling of empty cosmetics bottles through a combination of online and offline methods, in order to reduce the waste rate of packaging materials.

Fourth, we need to promote and popularize the safety knowledge of cosmetics, improve consumers' product discrimination, enhance consumers' awareness of anti-counterfeiting and rights protection, and prevent the recycling of brand cosmetics packaging materials from entering the channels of making and selling counterfeit products from the source, in order to safeguard consumers' safe use of cosmetics.

Fifth, we need to carry out popular science education on circular economy and green development, as well as knowledge training on environmental protection and packaging material recycling, in order to leverage the effective role of employees in guiding green consumption.

These initiatives are proposed in conjunction with the existing problems in the market. For example, the recycling of waste packaging materials is not only related to environmental protection. Recently, the People's Court of Guangling District, Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province announced a case of selling "genuine bottled counterfeit" cosmetics. After investigation, the gang involved in the case purchased a large number of empty bottles of genuine cosmetics from idle websites, and mixed and diluted the genuine cosmetics before filling and selling them. They pretended to be purchasing versions from different regions and sold them at low prices on online shopping platforms. The illegal proceeds amounted to 31 million yuan. In the actual consumption process, consumers often judge whether the product is genuine or not through packaging, so intermediaries specializing in collecting and selling genuine empty bottles have become an important role in the criminal chain. The act of producing and selling counterfeit products is extremely harmful to brands, consumers, and the market.

Currently, many beauty and skincare brands are aware of the importance of recycling empty cosmetic bottles and are actively taking action.

Some choose the form of point deduction for implementation. For example, in North America, Koyan's reward for cosmetic bottle recycling activities is to collect ten empty bottles and exchange them for one travel product. M. Any packaging of A.C products (including difficult to recycle lipstick, eyebrow pencil, and other small packaging), in any counter or store in North America, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other regions. Every 6 packages can be replaced with a formal lipstick. This move is not only beneficial for improving consumers' repurchase rate, but also enhances their environmental awareness.

Some rely on publicity to drive consumers. For example, Yueshi Fengyin encourages consumers to bring empty bottles back to the store through the text on the bottles, and after cleaning, turn the empty bottles into new product packaging, decorative items, etc.

The form of replacement packaging is more easily accepted by the market. For example, replacement cores for air cushion products from major brands are relatively cheaper compared to formal packaging. For example, DIOR upgraded the Wild Men's Light Fragrance to a replaceable packaging, with the refill bottle made of aluminum that can be recycled and reused, making it lighter in weight. For example, the emerging brand Zhiben is jokingly referred to as an "environmentally friendly company" in the industry: reusable eco-friendly express boxes, replaceable packaging designs, empty bottle recycling

Nowadays, a large number of young Chinese consumers have become increasingly aware of environmental protection. Choosing environmentally friendly materials for cosmetics is not only a manifestation of environmental protection, but also a refusal to pay for over packaged products.

No.3

Environmental Action Welcome pk

Of course, there are also many brands that choose environmentally friendly packaging materials in the production end.

Domestic brand REVER claims that every package they use is made of environmentally friendly materials certified by FCS. The corn foam filling particles in the package are made of 100% de corn starch, 100% biodegradable, compostable and residue free.

Last year, Procter&Gamble announced a partnership with paper bottle company Paboco to launch the first paper bottle packaging for its Lenovo brand, which will be piloted in Western Europe in 2022. It is reported that Procter&Gamble's global textile and home care department has joined the Paboco paper bottle community and started producing product bottles made entirely of biological materials to reduce the use of plastic and carbon footprint, and contribute to creating sustainable packaging solutions.

Koyan's also strives to use biodegradable materials and simple and environmentally friendly packaging, and many products do not have paper outer boxes. At the same time, consumers are encouraged to "recreate" empty cosmetic bottles and turn them into creative decorations, vases, or storage items at home.

Environmentally friendly packaging is an inevitable trend in the development of cosmetics packaging. Currently, domestic enterprises are striving to grow. It is commendable that despite the long road ahead, more and more enterprises are participating in it. While practicing their own green environmental protection concepts, they have attracted more consumers to be influenced and change themselves. On the path of environmental protection in cosmetics, we hope that more and more colleagues will join, strengthen the team, and build a strong momentum, so that this environmental trend can be blown to every corner and every aspect!