Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Beauty Brands That Are Saving the Earth

Did you know that Americans generate around 250 million tons of landfill waste every year?  That's a lot!!  Luckily, many beauty brands are working to recycle and reuse to help save our precious planet.  In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to give a shout-out to some healthy beauty brands that are not only doing your beauty routine good, but also doing our planet good.



Aveda, known mostly for its skin and hair care, fully embraces the idea of sustainability from their partnerships with non-profits like the Earth Fund Grantmaking Program to the use of sustainable furniture in their corporate office to their use of wind power in manufacturing.  As the first privately held company to sign the CERES Principles (Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies), Aveda incorporates plant-derived plastics and recycled packing into all of its products.





Tarte Cosmetics is a vegan cosmetics brand that makes a variety of skincare and cosmetic products and engages in initiates to save the rainforests of the Amazon.  The company is constantly researching formulas and biodegradable plastics to make their products more sustainable and even offers tips on creative ways to reuse packaging.  They also sell replacement powders for their reusable compacts...saving you money and saving the earth! 





As the name implies, EcoTools makes a variety of affordable eco-friendly beauty tools.  All of the packaging is recyclable and uses post-consumer recycled paper.  Makeup brushes also feature recycled aluminum ferrules...the bristles are so soft that you wouldn't believe that they're synthetic and 100% cruelty-free.  Plus, all products feature natural materials like cotton and bamboo.





Throughout the product lifestyle, Vapour Organic Beauty is committed to sustainability with all of its cosmetics.  First, the company sources ingredients from organic farms that help reduce pollution and toxic water waste.  Anhydrous filling system are then used during manufacturing to reduce landfill waste, while wind power powers the plants.  In addition, the company has offices that are wind and solar powered and prides itself on engaging in green practices like re-using shipping materials.  Product packaging is developed from recycled material, uses soy ink, and is both biodegradable and non-toxic.



Manufactured in Vermont, Tata Harper uses renewable energy (recycled methane gas) in their facilities to manufacture its skincare products and remains energy efficient by keeping all activity in one place.  The brand utilizes recycled paper and glass bottles in their packaging and engages in sustainable farming practices to source ingredients.



Weleda has taken on initiatives to allow for a greener planet.  Using, Fair Trade and BioDynamic agricultural practices, the brand harvests its powerful natural ingredients for its skin and body care products, while simultaneously preserving the earth.  Along the way, Weleda funds research and development to reduce waste in their production processes.  And of course, the packaging is eco-friendly too!




From production to consumption, Burts Bees is an innovator skin and body care as well as in sustainability with local partners like NC Green Power and Renewable Choice Energy.  It works to reduce different types of waste.  A reverse osmosis system allows 700,000 gallons of water to be reused during manufacturing.  Facilities are designed using energy-efficient lighting, resource management software, and efficient production equipment to reduce waste.  Any leftover facility waste that cannot be recycled or composted is transformed into biomass-based fuel or electricity.  Every year, Burts Bees sets goals to further reduce waste.



Not only is Alison Raffaele one of my favorite facial cosmetic brands, but it is also very eco-friendly.  All of the brushes are super soft and are made with wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and cruelty-free, Takelon bristles.  All products feature non-toxic, skin-safe ingredients as well as recyclable packaging.
 


All of these brands are natural or organic.  Natural/organic does not necessarily imply that a brand is sustainable.  But luckily, most natural and organic brands are very eco-friendly...a great way to help both your body and the environment.  This Earth Day, don't forget to do your part in saving the planet one lipstick tube at a time ;)

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