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Home > Clean Beauty & Hair

Published: Jan 11, 2023 · Modified: Oct 27, 2023 by Luci Petlack

Makeup Recycling

Makeup Recycling for Trial Size products

Have you ever tried recycling your empty beauty containers? There are so many bits and pieces made of different materials, it seems kind of impossible to get makeup recycling right.

Or did you make the fateful mistake of tossing it in the recycle bin and hoping for the best? There’s a name for that. Did you know? The act of putting something in the recycle bin is called “wishcycling.” Are you a wishcycler???

Truth be told, with everything related to recycling, if you aren’t sure (and I mean SURE) that it’s recyclable in your bin, it’s best to toss it in the trash. The wrong items can actually hurt the recycling process. All part of learning to live sustainably!

Side note, while most beauty and skincare containers aren’t fully recyclable, this Daybird SPF 50 tinted moisturizer is curbside recyclable and it’s a wonderful product!

Complete Makeup Routine

CONTENTS

  • Makeup Recycling
    • In-Person Makeup Recycling Drop Off
    • Mail-In Makeup Recycling
    • Terracycle Beauty Recycling Programs
    • PACT Beauty Recycling Programs
    • Other Recycling Intel

Makeup Recycling

So. Is makeup recycling difficult? Actually no. It takes a tiny bit of work but not that much. And for how serious our trash problem is and how much the environment is being affected, it’s REALLY EASY!!

There are two simple programs that do makeup recycling – the only free options at the moment are in store (now in a few major stores)!

Makeup Recycling - Empty Beauty Containers in Bag

In-Person Makeup Recycling Drop Off

Prefer to drop it off? Or spend a good chunk of time in or near Nordstrom (you know I love Nordstrom), Saks Fifth Avenue, Sephora, or Credo?!

Nordstrom and Saks have also partnered with TerraCycle to offer drop off beauty empties recycling! Every Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack store and Local location has a drop off for all beauty containers called BEAUTYCYCLE.

Saks’ Beauty Recycling Program is available at all Saks Fifth Avenue locations (still awaiting a reply about Saks off 5th stores) across the country.

The programs accept empty bottles, tubes, and caps from shampoo, conditioner, and styling products; empty bottles, tubes, and dispensers from cleansers, toners, and moisturizers; empty tubes, tubs, pans, palettes, and twist-up containers from all cosmetics; as well as trial-size tubes and vials, excluding perfume.

The great thing about these drop off makeup recycling options is that they accept ALL makeup empties – not just what they sell, not just clean beauty, and not just specific brands.

Whew! At our local Nordstrom, the BEAUTYCYCLE drop is by the beauty department, tucked over by the nail bar!

PACT (a mail in option below) also has drop off location around the United States and Canada, including Credo stores and Sephora stores. See their map here to find a location near you!

Makeup Containers on the Counter

Mail-In Makeup Recycling

If you prefer the mail-in method, then check out PACT Collective and TerraCycle! PACT is a non-profit working to get more beauty and wellness recycled rather than sent to landfills. Terracycle is an international community offering free and paid programs for all kinds of textile and product recycling.

For the most part, companies partner with PACT and Terracycle to create recycling programs for their products. Companies participating in these programs do pay for the service, so this is a sign they’re taking responsibility for their production.

Terracycle includes some free and some paid programs. PACT requires a donation to cover shipping costs.

Sustainable Products - Necessaire Hand Cream Review

Terracycle Beauty Recycling Programs

There are a few beauty brands that have programs with Terracycle. You can check out that list here:

Skin Care

ACURE Recycling Program

Beekman 1802 Recycling Program

Dermalogica Recycling Program

Josie Maran Recycling Program

LimeLife by Alcone Recycling Program

Timeless Skin Care Recycling Program

TULA Skincare® Recycling Program

WELEDA® Recycling Program

Cosmetics

Burt’s Bees Recycle on Us

eos Recycling Program

To use Terracycle, you’ll need to create a free account and then “join” each program – not difficult. They’ you’ll be emailed shipping label and instructions!

PACT Beauty Recycling Programs

PACT has partnered with a variety of brands (see below) and they also offer a broad mail-in program (limited to 10 items), which costs $8 – an inexpensive cost for such a great service. The brands below have figured out their own pricing for recycling, so you’ll want to check each company’s policy individually.

You can see the most up to date and complete PACT member list here. Below are a few of the clean beauty companies and non toxic makeup brands I know and love!

BeautyCounter (see my Beautycounter Product reviews – and the best charcoal mask)

INNERSENSE (my hair care company of choice at the moment – use code luci15 for 15% off first purchase)

FENTY (not clean but worth noting)

ILIA (my pick for best clean mascara)

kari gran

Kypris

Pacifica (one of the clean beauty brands at Target)

rms beauty (a constant in my clean makeup routine)

saie

WESTMAN ATELIER (feature din my minimalist makeup routine)

In order to recycle the makeup containers, make sure containers are clean and empty. See how to clean containers!

Other Recycling Intel

Want more helpful tips and programs for properly recycling??? This page is constantly updated with new and useful recycling information!

Or you can start here:

Just want the recycling basics for at home use?

Wondering about recycling household goods like batteries, light bulbs, and electronics?

There are also great programs for recycling and donating bras and undies as well as what to do with those old clothes that aren’t good enough to donate locally!

More Clean Beauty & Hair Posts

  • Non Toxic Scalp Care
  • Activist Skincare Review
  • My Favorite Osmia Products
  • Refillable Deodorant

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kat says

    February 18, 2023 at 1:48 pm

    Having been saving my empty skincare and makeup containers for while from various clean beauty brands, but I’m having difficulty finding recycling programs or mail in recycling programs for these items within United States. The majority of the products are glass containers makes recycling containers more difficult, and important!
    I’d appreciate a few links for this type of recycling within the United States that properly recycle these items.

    Reply
    • Luci Petlack says

      February 21, 2023 at 8:50 pm

      Hi Kat! All of these programs are within the US. For drop off, Nordstrom beauty is your best bet if you live near them. Otherwise check out the Saks Fifth Avenue mail-in program (the only free one I’ve found thus far). Happy to help more if I can! xo Luci

      Reply

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