The cosmetics sector – which is expected to reach an estimated global value of 863 billion dollars in 2024 – impacts the planet with greenhouse gas emissions ranging between 0.5% and 1.5%. It detects it Make up the future, an analysis of the impact of beauty on the environment presented by Quantis as a preview for the Italian market in a webinar organized by Cosmetica Italia for its members. The use of the product proved to be the step that weighs the most on the planet, responsible for 40% of the sector’s emissions, followed by packaging with 20%, extraction of materials and transport which both impact for 10%.
On the other hand, that of sustainability is an issue that is increasingly attracting the attention of consumers: 78% of respondents, in fact, are looking for plastic-free packaging, while 76% want to buy sustainable products or products obtained from renewable sources. and 75% opt for refillable and reusable packaging. 69% are affected by carbon reduction while 65% are informed and concerned about the water footprint problem.
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The product remains a central node. To create products with solid environmental performance, sustainability must enter at every stage, from formulation to end of life through distribution, paying attention to some myths to dispel, such as that of the use of “natural ingredients” that can sometimes have a higher impact in terms of emissions, land use and water, as the research explains: in some cases, synthetic materials can offer an alternative with less impact, without compromising on quality.
Another essential aspect is packaging: to develop completely sustainable packaging, the consulting firm warns, companies need an approach to eco-design that considers the holistic impact of the value chain of a product and its packaging. The aspects to be taken into account are those related to reuse and refill solutions, with attention to recyclability, design simplification to reduce components and materials, finishing processes, which in the case of metallization have a high impact. Without forgetting the phases of distribution, from the increasingly widespread use of e-commerce to setting up the point of sale.
Even in the use phase there is ample room for improvement. It can be the main cause of the impact of a product based on the environmental and energy characteristics of the market in which it is used and the method of removal, with or without rinsing. Just think of shower gels, soaps and make-up. In addition, during the design phase of the packaging, companies can help consumers avoid waste or excessive use of the product by creating containers that allow the right dosage.