Product packaging is the number one contributor of plastic waste. The cosmetic industry is guilty of exacerbating this problem with its excessive packaging. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation advises that we eliminate the plastics we don’t need so luckily, there are brands working to reduce waste as much as possible.

Zero-waste is about, just that, leaving no waste. In my post last week, I suggested that you only need to use three products, and this week I’m recommending zero-waste products. Of course, in a perfect world, creating no waste would be possible, but in most cases, there will be a few things that we cannot eliminate. Brands producing zero-waste beauty products try to ensure that everything gets recycled or decomposed. So, to reduce what you send to landfill, what’s taking up space on your vanity shelf and limit what ends up in the environment, here are a few alternatives to swap out your plastic products for:

Paper cotton buds

By Shop Zero

Instead of using plastic cotton buds to fix makeup disasters, use these degradable paper ones.

Face wash

By Nourish

The bar form as opposed to liquid cancels out the need for plastic packaging. Hydrating with shea butter. This Nourish face wash will offer a deep cleansing of the skin without drying it out.

Moisturiser

By Back 2 Nature

Suitable for all skin types, this antioxidant moisturiser will protect your skin from free radical damage, while also packaged in a recyclable glass jar.

Sunscreen

By Back 2 Nature

With ocean safe non-nano zinc oxide and recyclable aluminium tin packaging, Back 2 Nature offers a sunscreen that is both good for the environment and good for your skin.

Face Mask

By CHILL Cape Town

Instead of plastic tubes, these masks are stored in glass jars which can be recycled after use or repurposed for storage. Simply add a few drops of water to form a paste and apply to the face for a purifying 5-minute time out.

Shampoo bars

By Khween Shebar

Their multipurpose hair and face bar saves you extra products on your shelf, and extra packaging. Formulated with bentonite clay, the bars offer a gentle detox to the scalp or skin.

Body butter

By Nubian Nature

Purifying and regenerating, this avo-moringa body butter will soothe and nourish your skin.

Refillable lipsticks

By Lush

Lush offers refillable lipsticks, which have a recyclable base that can be snapped onto any shad e for easy application.

Radiant Skin Tint

By Lush

To add radiance and glow to your skin, either under makeup or by itself, this Lush skin tint will do just that with recyclable packaging

Image: A lush naked soap bar