The beauty and body care industry has in recent years been intensifying efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. After “clean beauty” and “blue beauty,” we are now seeing a rise in the popularity of aluminum containers. Why such excitement for this metal? Is it truly kinder to the planet than plastic?
The following article answers those questions and more, enabling you to make your own informed choices.
Goodbye plastic
There has been an explosion in plastic production since the 1950s, going from 2.1 million tons per year to nearly 400 million tons today. Water bottles, bags, plates, glasses, tablecloths and many other everyday objects made of this practical and affordable material quickly became essentials. The problem? The ubiquity of single-use plastic consumption has resulted in an unprecedented planetary environmental crisis.
The havoc it has caused has been well documented1:
- Only 9% of the plastic that is produced globally is recycled, and almost 80% winds up in landfills or in the ocean.
- More than 5 trillion pieces of plastic are currently floating in the ocean.
- By 2050, all seabirds will be eating plastic.
- Nearly half of plastic waste is in the form of packaging.
- The beauty industry produces 120 billion units of plastic packaging annually.
These grim statistics – combined with our love for our planet – have led us to develop eco-innovative solutions that eliminate single-use plastic from our daily routines. These innovations include our leaves bar™ and Oceanly™ lines, whose packaging is made entirely of biodegradable cardboard, and our new products that are offered in aluminum containers.
Hello aluminum
It’s true that aluminum isn’t entirely flawless: The highly energy-intensive process of extracting and refining this metal has a considerable environmental impact. However, its recasting requires only 5% of the energy that is required for its initial manufacturing2.
The reason brands like ours have opted for aluminum is due to its great durability, making it easy to recycle the metal over and over again, without compromising quality. “To infinity and beyond!” as Buzz Lightyear would put it. The proof is in the pudding: Of the 1.5 billion tonnes of aluminum that have been produced, almost 75% is still in use today3 – but, unlike plastic, it is not “food” for birds and marine species!
Why aluminum and not plastic?
Even better, due to their strength and durability, aluminum containers can be reused over and over again. So rather than purchasing new ones, simply fill them with your favourite products as many times as you desire. By replacing single-use plastic bottles with aluminum ones, brands have the opportunity to put our world on a more sustainable path!
Did you know?
When aluminum comes into contact with a medium containing oxygen – like air or water – it creates an oxide surface that resists atmospheric corrosion incredibly well. If this protective layer is removed, it then automatically reforms in just a few hours, therefore once again protecting the components of the structure4.
That’s just one of the reasons as to why this metal has been at the forefront of several industrial and engineering innovations, and is also what makes it ideal for the shower or bathroom counter!
New essentials to take care of both you and our planet
Infused with essential oils that awaken the senses, our new Super Leaves™ Essential Oils body and hair care products come in aluminum bottles with a minimalist design that are recyclable as well as easily refillable.
Hand soap, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner are all available in the aroma that most inspires you – comforting petitgrain and jasmine, invigorating bergamot and ylang-ylang, refreshing peppermint and sweet orange, or sensual patchouli and black pepper – and then you can limit waste by selecting our eco-refills during your next purchase.
Additionally, all the essentials in the line are composed of 97.9% naturally sourced ingredients approved by the EWG. Aluminum can be infinitely recycled without losing its quality, which is why we are so passionate about its use. If more brands were to replace their single-use plastic bottles with aluminum, we would accelerate our goal towards a more sustainable future.
Our hand soaps, shower gels, shampoos and conditioners each come in reusable aluminum bottles with a pump that is easily transferred from one refill to the next.
Going forward, our products for babies and toddlers will also be available in aluminum containers. The same gentle formulas with delicate fragrances, now in more eco-innovative packaging!
Will aluminum find its way inside my products?
Absolutely not! The inner coating of our bottles forms a protective layer that prevents aluminum from entering the product and ensures a safe experience for you and your entire family.
Easily recyclable and reusable, aluminum containers are a great option for reducing single-use plastic consumption. For additional methods to fight the environmental crisis affecting our planet, here are our 8 tips to curb plastic pollution.
- https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/10-shocking-facts-about-plastic
- https://www.remm.ca/aluminum-recycling
- https://international-aluminium.org/report-reveals-global-aluminium-demand-to-reach-new-highs-after-covid/