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🌎♻️Makeup & Skincare Brands with Recycling Programs (Sustainable Beauty Guide for Earth Day)

18 items

Ka Thao

Looking to reduce waste in your beauty routine? This Earth Day-inspired guide features makeup and skincare brands that offer recycling programs, refill systems, or rewards for returning empty products. From in-store drop-offs to mail-in programs, the...

Sections

🔥 WELL-KNOWN PROGRAMS (HIGH TRUST + SEARCHABLE)

🧴 RETAIL + MULTI-BRAND PROGRAMS (VERY IMPORTANT)

💄 BRAND-SPECIFIC TAKE-BACK PROGRAMS

🌿 REFILL / MAIL-BACK SUSTAINABLE BRANDS

BONUS (CANADA-FRIENDLY OPTION)

🔥 WELL-KNOWN PROGRAMS (HIGH TRUST + SEARCHABLE)

These popular beauty brands offer some of the most recognized recycling programs, making it easy to return your empty products while earning rewards or free items. Perfect for beginners looking to start a more sustainable beauty routine.

Through a mail-in recycling program, you can send in hard-to-recycle beauty packaging. This is ideal if you don’t have access to in-store drop-offs but still want to reduce waste from your daily routine.

Garnier-Recycle with TerraCycle

Kiehl’s offers an in-store recycling program where you can return empties and earn rewards. Perfect for skincare lovers who want to stay consistent with their routine while reducing packaging waste over time.

My Kiehl's Rewards - Skincare Loyalty Program - Kiehl's

Bring back 5 empty pots and receive a free fresh face mask. Their packaging is designed to be recycled and reused, making this a great choice for anyone looking to build a more sustainable self-care routine with minimal effort.

Lush Beauty Recycling Program | LUSH

One of the most well-known recycling programs in beauty—return 6 empty products and receive a free lipstick. This is a great option if you already use MAC and want an easy, reward-based way to reduce waste while keeping your makeup routine intentiona...

Back to Mac - MAC Cosmetics

🧴 RETAIL + MULTI-BRAND PROGRAMS (VERY IMPORTANT)

These programs accept packaging from multiple brands, making them one of the easiest ways to recycle your beauty empties without sorting or overthinking. Ideal for simplifying your sustainable routine.

Specializes in recycling hard-to-recycle materials, including beauty packaging. Many brands partner with TerraCycle, making it a key resource for reducing waste in your daily routine.

TerraCycle: the #1 beauty recycler

A nonprofit organization with drop-off bins across the U.S. and Canada, focused on recycling beauty packaging that typically can’t be processed through curbside programs.

Pact Collective

Accepts hard-to-recycle beauty packaging from any brand in-store. A convenient option for building a more sustainable beauty routine without needing to sort or research specific recycling rules.

How to Recycle, Refill & Reuse Beauty Products | Ulta Beauty

Offers in-store recycling bins that accept empties from most beauty brands. This is one of the easiest ways to start recycling your skincare and makeup packaging while shopping for your usual essentials.

Beauty Empties Recycling Program with Pact Collective | Sephora

💄 BRAND-SPECIFIC TAKE-BACK PROGRAMS

These beauty brands offer their own take-back or recycling programs, allowing you to return empties directly to the brand. A great option if you’re loyal to specific products and want to reduce waste more intentionally.

Return a set number of empties to receive a reward. This is a good option if you enjoy incentive-based programs while transitioning to a more sustainable routine.

Recycled Packaging Program - Summer Fridays

Provides a mail-in recycling option, making it easier to return empties even if you don’t live near a physical store. Great for convenience and accessibility.

Charlotte Tilbury Recycle Promise: Sustainable Beauty & Packaging Waste Reduction

Offers a take-back program for used packaging, helping reduce waste while maintaining a clean, effective skincare routine focused on natural ingredients.

About Us - Clean + Cruelty-Free Skincare Brand | Farmacy Beauty

Known for its sustainability efforts, Aveda accepts packaging returns in-store. A great option for eco-conscious shoppers who prioritize environmentally responsible brands.

Aveda: Reducing Waste and Embracing Innovation

Accepts a limited number of empties per visit in-store. Ideal for those who want a simple, no-fuss way to recycle products they already use regularly.

BareMinerals Sustainability: Our Commitment to a Better World

Offers in-store recycling bins in select locations, accepting empties from multiple brands. A great accessible option for anyone starting their sustainable beauty journey.

Nyx Recycling Program: How to Recycle Your Beauty Packaging

🌿 REFILL / MAIL-BACK SUSTAINABLE BRANDS

These brands go beyond recycling by offering refillable packaging or mail-back systems, helping reduce single-use waste and support a more circular, eco-friendly beauty routine.

Accepts empties through a mail-in program; even from other brands. This makes it a flexible and beginner-friendly option for reducing beauty waste.

Ilia Beauty Recycling

Includes prepaid envelopes for returning used packaging, making recycling effortless. A great luxury option that still aligns with sustainable living values.

Noble Panacea Sustainability: Our Commitment to a Greener Future

Offers a refill system where you send back empty bottles to be cleaned and reused. Perfect for anyone committed to reducing single-use plastic in their daily routine.

Plaine Products-How Reuse Works

BONUS (CANADA-FRIENDLY OPTION)

If you’re based in Canada, these options make it easier to participate in beauty recycling programs locally without needing to rely on international shipping.

A great Canadian option that partners with recycling programs to help reduce cosmetic waste. Ideal if you’re looking for more locally accessible sustainability efforts.

Quo Beauty Recycling Program | Shoppers Drug Mart Corporate