Anastasia Cahill

Sustainable Lifestyle and Wellness Blogger | Nashville, TN

6 Companies That Will Give You Free Stuff for Recycling Your Makeup

February 4, 2019

If you're anything like me, you're a sucker for good marketing and cute packaging. Over the years this has led me to buy more beauty products than I could ever need, and as I've become more educated on sustainability and the environmental impact of plastics, I've started to feel real guilty about the countless containers I didn't even think twice about tossing into my trash bin. 


Dwelling on the past never got anybody anywhere, but as I've made strides to become a more conscious consumer and buy products that are better for my body and the planet, I've also done my research on how to better dispose of the plastics already in my cabinets. 


Over the past few years, SO many beauty companies have made strides to make their products cleaner and more eco-friendly, making it easier than ever to buy healthy, ethical products. But none of us are perfect, and there is still waste that comes along with most of the products we buy. 


That's why companies like the ones listed below have started programs to make recycling your empty and unwanted products effortless, and most of them even give you a little reward. Plus, you'll feel good about making a small choice that contributes to a global effort to care for our planet. 


1. LUSH


I could go on for days about why I love LUSH, but one of the many reasons is their 5 Pot Program. Basically, all you have to do is bring back five empty, clean black LUSH pots, and they'll give you a free full-sized face mask. The pots you return are recycled and reused to make new pots. 


2. BareMinerals


In September of this year, another one of my favorite clean beauty companies, BareMinerals, launched their Recycling Rewards Program, which gives you FAB points towards your next purchase in exchange for any makeup or skincare empty. 


3. Origins


According to their site, Origins was actually the first beauty brand to launch a recycling program for cosmetic packaging back in 2009. Origins accepts containers from any brand that they recycle or process for energy recovery. They don't currently offer any reward other than that good-doer feeling of saving the planet. 


4. MAC


Did someone say free MAC lipstick? Through the Back to MAC program, all you have to do is bring six MAC packaging containers (tubes, bottles, eyeshadow pots) that your makeup came in back to a MAC location. It doesn't matter if the product is used, empty or full, it just has to fall within their return guidelines. Help the planet, rock a new lipstick. Not a bad deal if you ask me. 


5. Kiehl's


Through Kiehl's recycling program, for every 10 full-sized empty Kiehl's bottles you return to them, you'll be gifted a free travel-sized product. 


6. TerraCycle


TerraCycle has partnered with Garnier to recycle beauty product packaging from any brand. All you have to do is create an online account, and they'll provide you with a printable shipping label. For every donation of 10lbs or more, you'll earn two TerraCycle points that can be redeemed and converted into donations to one of TerraCycle's charities, or a non-profit, school, or charity of your choice. You don't get a gift on this one, but there's no better reward than knowing you're helping the planet, and others. 


Know any other beauty brands that have recycling programs? Comment them below! 

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