How to Recycle Your Empty Clean Beauty Containers Responsibly

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A Practical Guide to Responsibly Recycling Your Clean Beauty Containers

You’ve made the switch to clean beauty, a choice for your health and the environment. But what about the beautiful jars, bottles, and tubes left behind after the last drop? Your mindful journey doesn’t end with a product’s use. This guide cuts through the confusion and provides a clear, actionable roadmap for properly recycling your empty personal care containers. We’ll show you exactly what to do, how to prepare each type of container, and how to find the right recycling solution, ensuring your commitment to sustainability extends to every last detail.

Step 1: The Essential First Action – Cleaning Your Containers

Before any container can be recycled, it must be clean and free of product residue. This is the single most critical step. Recycling facilities can reject entire batches of materials contaminated by even small amounts of product, as the residue can clog machinery and compromise the quality of the recycled plastic or glass.

For Plastic Bottles and Jars

  • Rinse thoroughly: Use hot water to wash away any remaining product. If the product is thick, like a body butter or hair mask, use a small bottle brush to scrub the inside.

  • Remove labels: Peel off all paper and plastic labels. Some labels are made of a different type of plastic than the bottle itself, and they can interfere with the recycling process.

  • Dry completely: Shake out excess water and let the container air dry. Sending wet containers to be recycled can introduce moisture into the recycling stream, which is undesirable.

For Glass Jars and Bottles

  • Hot water and soap: Fill the jar with hot, soapy water and let it sit for a few minutes. This will loosen any stubborn product.

  • Scrub the interior: Use a bottle brush to ensure all residue, especially from thick creams or balms, is removed.

  • Remove labels: Glass labels are often adhesive-based. A mixture of baking soda and a few drops of vegetable oil can help remove sticky residue.

  • Dry: Let the glass air dry completely to avoid any moisture issues at the recycling facility.

For Tubes (e.g., Toothpaste, Hand Cream)

  • Cut it open: Many tubes, especially those for thicker products, retain a significant amount of product. Use scissors to carefully cut the tube in half lengthwise.

  • Scrape it out: Use a spatula or a spoon to scrape out all remaining product. You’ll likely be surprised by how much is left.

  • Rinse and dry: Wash the inside of the tube thoroughly with soap and water, then let it dry.

Step 2: Sorting and Separating – Understanding Material Types

Not all plastics are created equal, and recycling them requires sorting. You’ll need to separate your containers based on the material. Look for the recycling symbol (the chasing arrows triangle) on the bottom or side of the container. Inside or below this symbol, you’ll find a number (1-7) or a letter code. This is the key to proper sorting.

Plastic (Numbers 1-7)

  • PET (#1): Polyethylene Terephthalate. Common for clear water bottles, some face wash bottles, and mouthwash. This is widely recyclable.

  • HDPE (#2): High-Density Polyethylene. Used for thicker, opaque plastic bottles like shampoo and conditioner. Also widely recyclable.

  • PVC (#3): Polyvinyl Chloride. Less common in personal care, but sometimes found in blister packs. Often not recyclable through standard curbside programs.

  • LDPE (#4): Low-Density Polyethylene. Squeezable bottles and some flexible tubes. Curbside recycling can be hit or miss; check local guidelines.

  • PP (#5): Polypropylene. Very common for jar lids, pump tops, and some foundation bottles. Many curbside programs accept this, but not all.

  • PS (#6): Polystyrene. Rarely used in clean beauty, but found in some makeup compacts and single-use razors. Generally not recyclable in curbside programs.

  • Other (#7): All other plastics, including multi-material plastics and bioplastics. Often not recyclable in standard programs.

Glass

  • Clear, amber, and blue glass: Most curbside programs accept glass. Separate by color if your local facility requires it. Remove lids and caps.

Aluminum

  • Deodorant sticks, tins, and some bottle caps: Aluminum is infinitely recyclable. Clean any residue, then place it in your recycling bin.

Step 3: Dealing with the “Un-Recyclables” – Pumps, Droppers, and Lids

This is where the process gets tricky. The multi-material nature of these components makes them a challenge for most recycling facilities. A pump, for example, contains a plastic spring, a metal spring, and various plastic parts.

Pumps and Droppers

  • Disassemble: This is the most crucial step. Carefully pull the pump head off the stem. Look for a small plastic collar and a metal spring. Remove them.

  • Recycle by material: The plastic bottle or collar can go into recycling if it’s a known plastic type. The metal spring is often too small and gets lost in the recycling process. The plastic pump head and the glass dropper are generally not recyclable through standard programs.

  • What to do with the non-recyclables: Check for special recycling programs or simply discard them in the trash. The goal is to prevent contamination of the larger, recyclable container.

Lids and Caps

  • Metal caps: Aluminum caps on glass bottles are recyclable.

  • Plastic screw-on caps: If the cap is made of the same material as the bottle (e.g., a PP cap on a PP bottle), it’s best to screw it back on before recycling. This prevents the small cap from falling through the sorting machinery. If the cap is a different plastic type, remove it and check local guidelines.

Step 4: Beyond Curbside – Exploring Alternative Recycling Programs

Your local curbside program isn’t the only solution. Many brands and organizations have created innovative programs to address the recycling of hard-to-recycle items.

In-Store Take-Back Programs

  • Lush: Accepts their black pots and bottles back for recycling. For every five containers returned, you receive a free fresh face mask.

  • Aveda: Has a strong recycling program for their packaging, including caps and pumps. Many of their stores serve as drop-off locations.

  • Kiehl’s: Their “Recycle & Be Rewarded” program gives you points for returning empty containers, which can be redeemed for products.

Third-Party Mail-In Programs

  • Terracycle: This organization partners with many beauty brands to provide specialized recycling programs. You can sign up for a specific program, collect your containers in a box, and ship them back using a prepaid label. Look for a list of their partner brands on their website.

  • Pact Collective: A non-profit that partners with brands to offer in-store drop-off locations for hard-to-recycle beauty packaging. You can find their bins in participating Credo Beauty and Sephora stores. They accept everything from mascara wands to flexible tubes.

Step 5: Repurposing and Upcycling – Giving Containers a New Life

Before you recycle, consider if the container can be reused. This is often the most sustainable option.

For Glass Jars

  • Spice jars: The perfect size for small spices or herbs.

  • DIY containers: Use for homemade balms, salves, or lotions.

  • Organizational storage: Use for paper clips, thumbtacks, or hair ties.

  • Small succulent planters: Perfect for tiny plants that don’t require deep roots.

For Plastic Bottles

  • Travel bottles: Refill larger bottles of shampoo or conditioner into smaller, travel-friendly containers.

  • DIY spray bottles: A small spray bottle from a toner can be used for a DIY room spray or cleaning solution.

  • Seed starting: Cut the bottom off and use them as small greenhouses for starting seedlings.

The Ultimate Checklist: Your Go-To Guide for Every Container

To make this process as simple as possible, here is a quick, scannable guide for different container types.

Container Type

Steps

Glass Jars/Bottles

1. Scrape out all residue. 2. Wash with hot, soapy water. 3. Remove all labels. 4. Air dry. 5. Remove metal or plastic lids. 6. Place in curbside glass recycling.

Plastic Bottles (Shampoo, Lotion)

1. Rinse thoroughly with hot water. 2. Remove all labels. 3. Air dry. 4. Separate pump or lid. 5. Screw on plastic cap (if same material) or recycle separately. 6. Place in curbside plastic recycling (if #1 or #2).

Squeezable Plastic Tubes

1. Cut the tube open. 2. Scrape out all product. 3. Wash the inside with soap and water. 4. Check for special mail-in or in-store programs, as curbside acceptance is often limited.

Plastic Jars (Creams)

1. Scrape out residue with a spatula. 2. Wash with hot water. 3. Remove labels. 4. Separate lid. 5. Place jar in curbside recycling if it’s #1, #2, or #5.

Aluminum Tins/Tubes

1. Wash out all product. 2. Crush to save space. 3. Place in curbside metal recycling.

Pumps & Droppers

1. Disassemble as much as possible. 2. Recycle the plastic or glass part if it’s a known material. 3. Discard the metal spring and multi-material pump head in the trash or find a specific third-party program.

Conclusion

Taking the time to properly clean, sort, and recycle your empty clean beauty containers is a simple yet powerful act. It closes the loop on your sustainable choices, ensuring that the materials used to create your favorite products are given a new life. While the process may seem complex, breaking it down into these clear, actionable steps makes it manageable. By following this guide, you’re not just recycling—you’re actively participating in a more circular economy and reinforcing your commitment to a healthier planet.