The waste prevention concept
Waste prevention literally means zero waste and zero wastage.
In daily life, we think of unpackaged food or soaps, reusing items instead of always buying new ones, buying only what we really need, making a lot ourselves from a few basic ingredients.
It is not about sorting or separating waste and only to a limited extent about recycling it, because in the waste prevention concept waste does not arise in the first place or only in unavoidable, minimal quantities, which flow into a further, often innovative use.
The best way to avoid waste is to use resources thoughtfully and respectfully and not to waste them.
Zero Waste from the start
In recent years, the topic of sustainability has become increasingly important for business activities in the economy. The waste prevention idea results from the growing awareness of a more sustainable way of life, in which we reduce waste and use resources carefully. Resources concern raw materials as well as human labour, working conditions, the environment, the social framework and the communities in which companies operate.
Under the Waste prevention concept, we not only consume but also produce in a way that does not waste resources. In business, waste prevention starts at the source, at the beginning of a production chain.
The responsibility mainly is on the producers’ part! It is up to them to respond responsibly to consumer expectations – and to lead by example and inspiration.
The Waste prevention International Alliance, an association founded in 2002 with the aim of developing global waste prevention standards for companies and municipalities, defines the concept thus:
“The conservation of all resources through responsible production, consumption, reuse and recovery of products, packaging and materials, without incineration and harmful emissions to soil, water or air that cause environmental or health hazards.”
The waste prevention concept in cosmetics
Since 2015, the number of products claiming Waste prevention has increased significantly.
The following features distinguish waste prevention skin and hair care products already on the market:
– Water-free formulations
Water as a resource is increasingly becoming the focus of many consumers’ environmental awareness. Cosmetic manufacturers are paying more attention to water-free formulations.
– The ingredients are natural, organic, vegan, from sustainable cultivation. The plants used for the active ingredients are specifically selected and hand-picked.
In terms of raw material sourcing, many waste prevention manufacturers follow the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative, which sets the framework for sourcing cosmetic raw materials in an ethically responsible and sustainable way.
– Avoidance of preservatives and fillers
– Minimal, (almost) waste-free packaging or no packaging, alternative, biodegradable packaging, reusable application pads
– High yield, avoidance of product loss through direct application e.g. with stick, so that no product is lost on the hands, high concentrations
Waste prevention has many facets
Essentially, the waste prevention concept in cosmetics can be realised in five areas:
- Extraction of raw materials
- Selection of raw materials
- Unpackaged products
- Alternative packaging
- High concentration of active ingredients
Extraction of raw materials
When extracting raw materials, care is taken to ensure that they come from sustainable cultivation that does not consume excessive amounts of land, protects habitats and for which no forests are cut down.
A much-discussed example is palm oil. Using palm oil from RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certified sources offers a responsible alternative that drives improvements in cultivation.
Establishing programmes for the sustainable production of a commodity in the respective country creates a secure supply chain. In the programmes, growers receive fair wages and safe working conditions. The by-products are also used.
For peels, leaves, seeds, for example, if a product only needs the fruit extract, innovative ideas for new formulations are developed.
Selected raw materials
The raw materials are selected according to clever criteria. Essential is the idea of making a lot out of a little. With a targeted selection of raw materials, a multifunctional key pool can be created, so to speak, to manufacture different products and achieve a high degree of flexibility in the formulations, whether leave-ons or rinse-offs, boosters, dry oil lotions, peeling or mask sticks without water.
The decision criterion is: less is more: few, carefully selected ingredients with many benefits.
Highly concentrated products
When it comes to formulations with high concentrations of active ingredients, water-free products score particularly well. Without water (unless it is itself an active ingredient, like thermal water), more active ingredients can be incorporated into the formulation. In addition, preservatives can be reduced or even omitted in water-free products; the same applies to emulsifiers, consistency improvers, thickeners.
Highly concentrated boosters can spice up the day cream as needed or enrich it with a tanning effect.
Unpackaged
Anhydrous formulations are particularly suitable to be transported and sold without packaging. The compact bar of soap, the styling bar for beard and hair, the chewable tablets that only become a mouthwash when water is added, the dry lotion for the face that is applied with water are some examples.
Alternatively packaged
Cleansing oils, shower powders, solid shampoo bars, dry shampoos, deodorant cream, sunscreen sticks, lip balms are some examples of water-free products that lend themselves to paper-based packaging or packaging made from renewable, biodegradable raw materials.
Waste prevention cosmetics from Cosmacon
The advantages of the waste prevention concept in view of limited resources are obvious. The fact that it avoids waste and superfluity right from the start of the production and supply chain makes it an approach that is both promising and challenging. Where are the sustainable raw material suppliers? How can different cosmetic formulations with individual benefits be made from a few selected key ingredients? How can unpackaged or alternatively packaged cosmetics be presented safely and attractively? How do we formulate highly concentrated water-free products that have a pleasant skin feel and an innovative “aha” effect?
Waste prevention is a challenging concept that will continue to gain a foothold in the cosmetics market in the coming years. Cosmacon accepts the challenge and is happy to accompany you in the development of your future-oriented products that say no to waste and yes to responsibility and sustainability.
