Bulk, eco-design, recycling, all solutions are good for transforming the conventional end-of-life of our containers into more sustainable solutions.
In recent years, the mentions " zero waste "," eco-designed ", have appeared on our product labels. Marketing argument, or real progress?
In the meantime, why not take inspiration from the habits of previous generations and use solutions that have already proven themselves?
Reuse as a solution ?
Today, there is no longer any excuse for not thinking about reuse. This practice has been largely pushed by the AGEC law, which sets quantified targets for 5% deposit for reuse in 2023 et 10% in 2027This solution has already demonstrated its value in the food sector.
Proof in support, the Drôme washer My bottle is called come back, accounts for nearly 125 partners with a fifty collection points in the Drôme Ardèche region alone. Their partners Alps deposit or, Reboot are not left out, since the latter has 152 collection points with around forty producers.
Furthermore, the ecological interest is the first argument put forward by the various stakeholders in reuse. Indeed, in a context of reducing the environmental footprint for all manufacturers, by reusing glass, that's up to 75% energy, 79% greenhouse gas emissions and 33% water saved compared to recycling. (2009 – Cabinet Deroche Consultant). An ecological economy encouraging the most reluctant to take the plunge.
Faced with the rise of the food sector, cosmetics still has a long way to go.
Reuse in cosmetics :ù where are we ?
Reuse is a solution that many cosmetic brands are working on, all trying to attract consumers with their proposals.
However, a lot of work in terms of analysis, logistics and densification still remains to be done. This is the challenge that has been set Reboot in 2021.
Under the impetus of several brands, the team of Cosmebio is asked to take an interest in reuse in cosmetics.
The Cosm'N'pack project : reuse of cosmetic packaging from Cosmébio members
The road is long, fraught with pitfalls, and costly. From the initial refusals of car washes to the disapproval of certain brands that do not believe in the project, Cosm'N'pack has nevertheless seen the light of day. The financing of Ademe, obtained in 2022, has made it possible to remove one of the most significant barriers for the association: the cost. Also, My bottle is called come back washer from Drôme and neighbor of Cosmebio agrees at this time to launch into cosmetics!
Since then, around twenty brands have joined Cosmebio join the first phase of the project.
At the same time, a representative steering committee was created to work on the subject and its challenges. Brands, washers, distributors, team members Cosmebio and life cycle analysis manager, discuss the most suitable solutions and the means available to frame the project.
It was decided that the first phase of experimentation would allow for the testing of containers and contents representative of the cosmetics market: glass, toothpaste, shampoo. These tests aim to mimic a normal life cycle of a product that would be reused. Washing, heat, cold, successive cycles, and analyses are planned, and integrated into a specific washing protocol.
The first results bring some nice surprises about the plastic and confirm certain obstacles such as the shampoo that foams... and makes the whole machine foam! This first step above all provides the necessary foundation for the second step and the more in-depth tests that will be carried out at this time.
Visit the 67 partner stores !
Building on these initial results, Cosmebio decides to go further by mimicking, on the scale of the Auvergne Rhône Alpes region, the reuse loop for cosmetics. This second phase of “life-size” experimentation brings together thirteen impactful brands: Un battement d’aile, Karethic, Douce nature, Eau Thermale Jonzac, Douceur cerise, Centifolia, Coslys, Endro, Natessance, Distillerie Saint-Hilaire, Florame, La vie claire and Aroma-Zone.
Two leading retailers in the organic cosmetics sector are taking the Cosm'N'pack project to the next level in their stores: Biocoop and La Vie Claire. More than 30 stores from both brands in the AuRA region are joining the project.
Furthermore, nearly 36 independent stores solicited by the participating brands also choose to get involved. Aroma-Zone will also be participating in its Lyon store!
You can find in these 67 stores, the logo " take me back to the store » with a QR code and the project posters. The store teams were very supportive, and the Rebooteille and Ma bouteille s'appelle reviens washers provided great teaching to get this whole experiment underway.
So, what are you waiting for to bring your cosmetic containers back to stores?
— An article written by Cosmebio
