Recycling containers

[Nkjnav]

I have been using MAC to products for years and collecting empty containers to return them. From last 3 years I started using products from other brands and didn’t trash any of the containers hoping that other companies might be doing the same. But I couldn’t find any programs like that. Can someone help me find such a program?

[SportyGirly125]

@Nkjnav You can also take your containers back to an Origins counter or also to a L’Occitane store and they can recycle it for you.  Kiehl’s also has their own recycling program.

[WinglessOne]

@SportyGirly125  Does Origins still do that in the US? I know they used to because I often brought them things to recycle. But last year I tried to find info about it at their site (to show someone else) and their old US recycling program page was completely redone with info about how sustainable they are—but no info at all about their recycling program. I hope they still recycle all brands' beauty containers; it's very convenient if you have an Origins counter or standalone store nearby, as long as it's not inside a Nordstrom (those Origins counters were always excluded from the recycling program). If they still do it, I'm surprised they no longer advertise it. 

[SportyGirly125]

@WinglessOne It looks like Origins still has the recycling program in Canada but not the US. You can still take any beauty brand container to a L’Occitane store and they will recycle it for you or like you stated take it to Nordstrom’s. 

[WinglessOne]

@Nkjnav  I use TerraCycle for lots of things, including most beauty/cosmetic containers and packaging I can't put through my local municipal recycling program. I do have a couple of their Zero Waste boxes/pouches, but you might also find some free drop-off locations near you. (I'm in the US. If you're in Canada or another country: I don't know what/if TerraCycle has available outside the US.) Example: my local Nordstrom has a TerraCycle drop box for beauty containers. 

Also, check out TerraCycle's brand programs; most (if not all) of those are free to participate in. At their site, search for "collection programs." You'll get a "sorry, we couldn't find..." message, but scroll past that and you'll see a list of all the brands that have recycling programs with TerraCycle. Some of them are limited to a certain number of participants at a time, so you might not be able to join them. But if you waitlist yourself, they'll let you know when/if you've been added to a previously full program. I do the free Paula's Choice program: I just ask for a free pouch, and when TerraCycle sends it, I fill it up and send it back. 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@WinglessOne I had no idea about TerraCycle, nor did I know PC participated in it.  Thanks for sharing!

[WinglessOne]

@greeneyedgirl107  It's a good service if you don't have a local place that'll accept any brand's containers/packaging (that your local municipality won't/can't recycle). TerraCycle's zero waste boxes and pouches aren't cheap, so I usually tell folks to see if they have a local TC dropbox and/or sign up for one of the free programs. TC occasionally puts their boxes/pouches on sale. In fact, I think they just ended a 30% off sale. 

TC's zero waste boxes/pouches for beauty products and personal care products accept sheet mask pouches and liners. So does their "all in one" box. The pouches are small (7.5" x 10.5"), so anyone planning to recycle several full size containers of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc. will do better with the small size "beauty products" box. 

Oh, and if anyone has a local Deciem store (Chicago, NYC, and San Francisco), that's also a free drop-off location for any brand's beauty containers/packaging. Deciem's a TerraCycle partner. 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@WinglessOne I'll definitely have to look into TC's drop off or free programs.  Thanks so much for the info!