Greetings fellow beauty lovers. My beauty related trash seems to piling up quite quickly lately especially because I haven't really bought any new makeup (other than what I run out of) for 3 months! My main focus is to downsize my collection and use up products I own before they go to waste. Anyway, this trash talk is different to usual because I've actually came across a recycling organisation. I'm very excited to share it with you all because cutting beauty packaging out of our landfill makes me happy.
The organisation is TerraCycle. Their aim is to "eliminate the amount of waste by recycling the non-recyclable." This is not a sponsored nor partnered post, I have just always been into taking care of the environment ever since I was young. I am that person that will pick up litter and put it in the bin even if it's not mine. The whole reason I even googled if a recycling program existed for cosmetic packaging was because of these Trash Talks. I noticed a lot of excess plastic, packaging or whatever products are housed in were mostly going straight into the garbage bin. TerraCycle have various free recycling programs however the one I am doing is the Beauty Products Recycling Program. L'Oreal actually teamed up with TerraCycle to get this program underway which is very impressive (although they still test on animals!!!). Cosmetics, hair care and skincare packaging are accepted in this program. You pretty much put all your trash together, ensuring all left over product has been cleaned out, put it into a box, download their label and drop it off to your closest Australian post office. It is also free to post!!
Here is their list of what is accepted:
Here is their list of what is accepted:
- Cosmetic packaging: used lipstick, lipgloss, mascara, eye shadow, bronzer, foundation, eyeliner, lip liner and concealer (they don't need to be L'Oreal either, their are no brand restrictions, yay!)
- Hair care packaging: used shampoo & conditioner bottles and caps, hair gel tubes, caps, hair spray and hair treatments.
- Skin care packaging: lip balm, face moisturiser, face and body wash, soap dispensers and tubes, body lotion dispensers and tubes and shaving foam.
Now let's get into my trash reviews and what I'll be posting over to be recycled or upcycled!
I have already repurchased this. Other than oils my skin is very sensitive and weird with moisturisers. They usually make my skin itch or turn red with a rash. Thankfully that doesn't happen with this one. I am on the search for a more natural/organic ingredient moisturiser but this is still a good one!
This is always in my trash talks. It is my absolute favourite way to remove makeup. Already has been repurchased.
I have been more into mineral makeup lately as it is a lot better for acne prone skin. I repurchased this in my summer shade and have a few from other brands that I like. You can easily build up to a full coverage which looks natural as long as you really buff it into the skin. It features in one of my reviews here.
If you suffer from little bumps on your skin then this really helps decongest those! The only reason I won't repurchase is because I am trying to stick to natural/organic products only and keep my skincare really minimal. If you don't mind so much about ingredients then this really does work wonders.
I was using this as my nightly moisturiser for a while. It did help to hydrate my skin but I didn't find it improved my scarring very much. I will probably repurchase or try the juice from an actual aloe plant in the near future.
This is my favourite tanner/gradual tanner. Every single other one I try breaks me out in bumps or a red rash so I have to be very selective when I want to use them. This one I could easily use daily or really pile on over a fews to get a deep colour. I have a full review here and I will be repurchasing.
Another product that always comes up in my trash talks. I won't get into it as you can click on any of my others to read my thoughts.
I loved the packaging concept of this. It made swirling and cleaning my brushes a breeze. I may actually mould my own soap into this to reuse. If not it will be added to the TerraCycle pile. I probably won't repurchase because I liked the packaging more than the actual product so if I can reuse it myself then that would be perfect.
Lush actually offer their own recycling program and I am able to recycle the cap to my nearest Lush store while the bottle can go in my recycling bin. I really love the ideas and values of Lush which is what makes me want to purchase from them more! I won't repurchase this actual product because I think I am more of a bar soap person but it smelt amazing.
Non-cruelty free items I've used up and WILL NOT repurchase!
Can we just take a moment to mourn the loss of NARS. I cannot believe they have taken a massive step backwards in 2017 and have chosen to test on animals.
- Nars Sheer Glow*
- Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet*
- Batiste Dry Shampoo*
- L'Oreal Telescopic mascara*
- Avon lip liner*
- Rimmel stay matte powder*
I've completely cleared out my non-cruelty free makeup. They have been rehomed or I just used up the last of them so yay for not having to include them in these posts anymore 🙌🎈🎊
Products marked with * are the ones I am sending to TerraCycle - the others that aren't are already recyclable.
