How to effectively recycle cosmetic packaging?

How to effectively recycle cosmetic packaging?

In recent years, a wide variety of cosmetics have gradually entered people's lives, and people have also put forward higher requirements for cosmetic packaging. However, exquisitely made cosmetic packaging is randomly discarded after one use, causing great pollution to the ecological environment. This runs counter to the concepts of green environmental protection and sustainable development. In order to promote the development of cosmetic packaging recycling, this article analyzes some problems existing in cosmetic packaging recycling, and proposes solutions to cosmetic packaging recycling from the perspectives of enterprises, governments, and consumers to promote the sustainable development of cosmetic packaging.

1. Lack of systematic recycling channels

At present, most of the practitioners in my country's recycling industry are self-employed and lack systematic recycling channels. The recycling industry is small, scattered and chaotic. With the increasing environmental protection requirements, some recycling points that do not meet the qualifications have closed down one after another, and recycling companies have gradually decreased. This has left many resources with recycling value facing the dilemma of no one to recycle them, and they can only enter the garbage system. In addition, my country has not yet issued clear policy guidance for cosmetics packaging recycling. Cosmetic packaging recycling pilots are mostly distributed in economically developed first-tier cities, and the radiation range is relatively narrow. In many densely populated places, cosmetics packaging recycling has not been established. point, therefore consumers can only discard cosmetic packaging as household waste. In addition, there is currently no professional recycling center that uniformly handles recycled cosmetic packaging. Cleaning and processing of cosmetic packaging after recycling is a crucial link. If there are no strict cleaning procedures, then the recycled cosmetic packaging will not be used again. The value and lack of systematic recycling channels also lead to chaos in the recycling process. Therefore, establishing systematic recycling channels is the key to the smooth development of cosmetic packaging recycling work.

2. High recycling costs

First of all, establishing a systematic cosmetic packaging recycling channel requires financial support, which makes the cost of secondary use of discarded cosmetic packaging higher than the cost of producing new cosmetic packaging. But in the long run, standardized recycling can greatly reduce production costs and is in line with the concept of sustainable use of resources. In addition, strengthening the recycling of cosmetic packaging will reduce the behavior of counterfeiting cosmetic packaging. Many cosmetics companies have long been aware of the importance of packaging recycling, but they also have unspeakable secrets. On the one hand, in order to improve the company's social image and save manufacturing costs, cosmetic packaging production Enterprises want to recycle; on the other hand, the cleaning process after recycling cosmetic packaging is tedious and the steps are complicated. Problems in any link will affect the brand and reputation of the enterprise, which puts cosmetic packaging recycling in a dilemma.

3. Consumers have little awareness of recycling

For products such as beer bottles, which are more convenient to recycle and have a relatively mature recycling system, most consumers are aware of recycling. However, for cosmetic packaging, whether consumers or staff of cosmetic packaging companies, recycling awareness is relatively weak. There are three reasons: (1) Consumers have not yet realized that some cosmetic packaging uses non-degradable packaging materials, and they have also underestimated cosmetic packaging. harm to the environment. (2) The time interval between use up of various cosmetics is long, which leads to the neglect of consumers’ awareness of recycling. (3) Cosmetic companies currently do not implement a clear incentive system for recycling cosmetic packaging, and do not provide actual material rewards to consumers for recycling, resulting in consumers lacking motivation to recycle. Consumers of cosmetics are often mainly women, and the consumption within a family is small. However, the consumption of cosmetic packaging in the entire society is huge, which has a strong scale effect. Therefore, the issue of cosmetic packaging recycling has not yet attracted the attention of the whole society. All in all, consumers have weak awareness of environmental protection and recycling when handling cosmetic packaging, and a large amount of cosmetic packaging becomes domestic waste.

2. Recycling strategies for cosmetic packaging

2.1 Government support

The government is the main guide for the closed-loop supply chain of cosmetic packaging recycling in my country. Government departments should pay more attention to the issue of cosmetic packaging recycling. Cosmetic packaging recycling is a huge project, and it is difficult to achieve sustained and stable development solely by relying on enterprises and the market, because a large amount of manpower and financial resources are required to be invested in the closed-loop supply chain of cosmetic packaging recycling, which are difficult for enterprises and individuals to support. There must be government subsidies as support. Therefore, the active participation of the government is of great significance for cosmetic packaging recycling. On the one hand, the government can start formulating laws and regulations on cosmetic packaging recycling standards based on market conditions; on the other hand, the government can increase publicity on cosmetic packaging recycling. The government's call will surely drive corporate action, because corporate management decisions All are completed under the guidance of government policies. The influence of the government and the efforts of the enterprises themselves will certainly help the development of cosmetic packaging recycling work. From the perspective of environmental protection and economic benefits, recycling cosmetic packaging can enable the government and enterprises to achieve a win-win situation.

2.2 Manufacturers set up systematic recycling channels

Under the guidance of the supply chain concept, cosmetic packaging manufacturers should combine green packaging with cosmetic packaging recycling. In order to ensure that cosmetic packaging recycling can continue, it must be ensured that it is in a benign closed-loop supply chain system. Cosmetic companies are responsible for the production of cosmetics and cosmetic packaging. Distributors sell cosmetics to consumers through online and offline sales channels. By establishing recycling points in the communities where consumers live, waste cosmetic packaging is collected and classified for processing. , for cosmetic packaging that is damaged during the recycling process or has no reuse value, the waste will be disposed of in a reasonable manner, while for recyclable materials, they will be transported to a unified recycling center for disinfection and other cleaning treatments. They are then used as production raw materials and continue to flow into the forward supply chain. This cycle is repeated to form a closed-loop cosmetic packaging recycling process.

2.3 Consumers actively participate in recycling

It is not enough to rely solely on the promotion of the government and cosmetics companies for the recycling of cosmetic packaging. It requires the cooperation of the general public. The degree of consumer participation in recycling directly determines the success or failure of packaging recycling, because consumers are in the reverse phase of cosmetic packaging recycling. The source of the supply chain, and consumers are widely distributed. Only if everyone strengthens their awareness of cosmetic packaging recycling can the recycling work proceed smoothly. On the contrary, if consumers do not take the initiative to recycle, it will be difficult for governments and enterprises to achieve the expected results no matter how hard they try. As a member of the vast number of consumers, we need to actively participate in the recycling of cosmetic packaging, consciously classify cosmetic packaging, and reduce the recycling pressure at recycling points. In addition, when purchasing cosmetics, consumers should not only carefully consider the authenticity and price of cosmetics, but also pay more attention to green and biodegradable cosmetic packaging materials, thereby reducing the chance of environmental pollution from cosmetic packaging.