40+ Natural Brands with Zero Waste or Sustainable Packaging

According to Kjaer Weis, it takes over 1,000 years for a plastic makeup compact to decompose in the environment. That’s a LOOOOONG time, and think of all the plastic compacts you’ve used in your lifetime! And researchers from The Ocean Conservancy suggest there are as many as 51 trillion pieces of microplastic in our oceans at present 🐬

So you might be wondering, how can I help change this? Today I’m partnering with Jessica from Everyday Eco Living to bring you a huuuuuge list of natural makeup and personal care brands that go out of their way to offer you sustainable or zero waste packaging. Let’s get started!

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What Packaging is Considered Sustainable?

You may be wondering about recycling plastic containers. Unfortunately, the majority of discarded plastic is not recycled. In fact, the EPA estimates that only 9.5% of plastic discarded in 2014 was actually recycled.

In addition to environmental concerns, plastic packaging is not good for your health. Certain chemical components of plastic, such as BPA and phthalates, have been linked to harmful health effects like hormone disruption, obesity, and even cancer. Learn more in this blog post.

Choosing products in sustainable packaging is one way to avoid harmful chemicals and cut back on the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills. The materials below are great options when choosing sustainable packaging! 🌎

• • Aluminum is able to be completely recycled without any loss in quality at a fraction of the initial production costs and energy requirements of plastic.
  • Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world, making it the number one renewable resource 🐼 Bamboo actually grows faster when it is cut down!
  • Compostable/biodegradable paperboard is made from recycled paper pulp. When manufactured and disposed of properly, it is largely considered a renewable resource.
  • Glass and metal are 100% recyclable. This means that they can be infinitely recycled into new packaging without loss of quality. It is also very easy to repurpose a glass or metal container!
  • Recycled plastic is another option. Many companies repurpose plastic into new packaging. While this is not ideal (in terms of a renewable resource), it is better than other alternatives.
  • Silicone is an eco-friendly material derived from sand. The process to manufacture silicone is much less wasteful than the process to manufacture plastic. It can be recycled (in the right facilities) and is a safe non-toxic alternative to plastic.

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This post contains affiliate links.

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Natural Brands with Sustainable Packaging:

Clean, Non-toxic Makeup:

• ATHR Beauty Eyeshadow Palettes: This palette is fully recyclable with the removal of the eyeshadow pans and elastic. It contains no magnetic strip or mirror either! Plus 10% of proceeds go to The Water Project, which provides clean, safe, and reliable water and sanitation solutions across sub-Saharan Africa.
• Alima Pure: Although a lot of their cosmetics are packaged in plastic, they do offer some refillable compact options for some of their products such as concealer, pressed foundation, and pressed eyeshadow.
• Antonym Cosmetics: Antonym compacts are made of sustainable bamboo and the paper they use is either recycled or FSC (sustainable forest) paper.
• Au Naturale Cosmetics: Their components are mostly aluminum and the boxes they come in are 100% post-consumer waste. Plus they use Palm Done Right sustainably-sourced palm oil.
• Axiology: Their lip-to-lid balmies are cute crayons that can be used on lips, cheeks, and eyelids. The boxes are sourced from a woman-owned recycled-paper boutique in Bali. Axiology also never uses palm oil in its formulas!
• Elate Beauty: Elate uses bamboo packaging from China, where they work closely with a green-certified, fair-trade manufacturer. All of the bamboo is water processed, not chemically treated. A lot of their products, like powders, are sold separately from the compact so you only have to buy the compact once and just refill the insides. The refills are packaged in seed paper which can then be planted in your garden. Any plastic that comes with shipping boxes is always reused by their company and never purchased. What’s really cool: if you are taking a plastic-free challenge or have a plastic-free lifestyle, you can let them know at checkout and they will accommodate you.

• Erin’s Faces: Not all of her items are sustainably packaged, but I want to highlight the Matcha Mascara (pictured above) and Radiant Firming Concealer. The mascara is in powder-coated glass which is recyclable, and the concealer comes in a clear glass vial. Love them both! Code ORGANICALLYBECCA saves you at checkout.
• Kjaer Weis: Their products also use a refill system, housed in durable metal and recyclable paper compacts (even their mascara and lipsticks!).
• RMS Beauty: They use very minimal packaging; most of their products are in glass and all of them are biodegradable, recyclable, or reusable.
• Saie Beauty: A really innovative beauty company that is super transparent about their practices and trying to continually do better. They ship products with organic cotton rounds instead of packing peanuts. Most of their products are in glass or aluminum. They also practice carbon offsetting and partner with Carbon Credit Capital and Terracycle.
• Sappho: A Canadian makeup brand that uses glass and metal packaging (for the most part). Their CC tubes, Primer tubes, and sample tubes are treated with a special compound made in the U.S. that renders them biodegradable in a landfill in 2-7 years.
• Tata Harper: Not only is Tata Harper packaging a beautiful green and gold color, but their focus on sustainability is incredible. The majority of their packaging is made of glass. What little plastic they do use is necessary for the function of the packaging and is as eco-friendly as possible. The plastic resin for their tubes is derived from corn, which means it is made from a renewable resource instead of petroleum. The cartons they use have the Sustainable Forestry Initiative label, and they also used recycled paperboard and print with soy-based inks.
• Vapour: Vapour uses PCR (post-consumer recycled) materials for its product packaging, has all waterless formulas, and their lab uses a flood-fill system to reduce waste. Their product boxes are made from post-consumer recycled paper printed with soy ink. Aside from their products, they use passive-solar and wind power in their offices, warehouse, and lab.

You might also like this post…

How to Sustainably Discard Old & Empty Cosmetics: Everything You Need to Know

Organic Shower, Hair, & Hygiene Products:

• Captain Blankenship: Hair products that use recyclable and reusable glass packaging or paperboard.
• Cleo + Coco Natural Deodorants: So many options for scents and formulas (you can also get sensitive baking soda-free). They have a zero waste bar option which comes in an organic cotton bag. It has a wax mold at the bottom that you can peel away as the deodorant gets used up. So cool!
• David’s Toothpaste: Fluoride-free natural toothpaste that comes in a recyclable metal tube. It’s super minty, foamy, and leaves your teeth squeaky clean. Made in the USA. Code ORGANICALLYBECCA saves you at The Choosy Chick.
• Georganics Toothpaste Tablets: Tablets that come in a glass container! You chew them and they start to foam and dissolve into a toothpaste you can brush with. They make your mouth feel clean and are alkalizing; they have mouthwash tablets and floss too. Pretty cool. Code BECCA10 saves you at EarthHero!
• Lola Organic Cotton Tampons: Organic cotton tampons that are available with a cardboard applicator or even without an applicator at all (or you can try a menstrual cup!).
• Madame Lemy Deodorants: The chicest aluminum-free deodorants ever! It’s a powder puff that comes in a paper box and is refillable. Code ORGANICALLYBECCA gets you a discount.
• Patch Biodegradable Bandages: Made with organic bamboo fiber, activated charcoal, aloe vera, and coconut oil. These bandages are biodegradable and compostable. Code ORGANICALLYBECCA saves you at The Choosy Chick.
• Plaine Products: Shampoo, conditioners, skin, and body products that are packaged in aluminum and have all recyclable packaging. Plaine also gives you the option to buy with or without a pump, plus a refill system so you just send your bottle back for a refill and only buy the pump once. Code ORGANICALLYBECCA saves you 20% on their website!
• TreeBird Biodegradable Silk Floss: Compostable, plastic-free floss that comes in a glass jar and you can purchase refills. Naturally waxed with candelilla and flavored with mint essential oil.

• Who Gives a Crap: Not only does this toilet paper come individually wrapped (without all the plastic wrapping), but it is also made from recycled paper and bamboo. Who Gives A Crap uses 50% of their profits to improve sanitation in underserved communities around the world 💩
• WooBamboo: They sell an array of dental products, but their toothbrushes are made of natural, biodegradable bamboo. They also sell floss made with natural, biodegradable silk that comes without a container but is packaged in renewable plant-based plastic. They print with soy-based ink and post-consumer waste.

I also highly recommend EarthHero, they have SO many green swaps!

Your One-Stop-Shop for Zero Waste Swaps: EarthHero

Natural Body & Skincare Products:

• Blue Heron Botanicals: Organic and natural lip care that comes in recyclable, home compostable paper tubes!
• Good Medicine Beauty Lab: Natural perfumes and skincare products packaged in glass.
• Kari Gran: Skincare products packaged in Miron glass (a special 100% recyclable dark violet glass that blocks the complete spectrum of visible light, which eliminates the need for preservatives).
• Laguna Herbals: Reef-safe mineral sunscreen that is packaged in an aluminum tin, plus skincare products that come in glass bottles.
• Leahlani Skincare: Handmade products that are contained in frosted glass.
• Mahalo: Skincare products that come in bamboo, you can even purchase their “imperfectly packaged” products at a discount.
• Manda Naturals: Reef-safe mineral sunscreen packaged in bamboo.
• Meow Meow Tweet: Natural deodorants, hair, and skincare products packaged in glass and paper boxes. They also recently launched a sunscreen!

• Mūn Skincare: Sustainably-sourced organic skincare products packaged in dark glass. Code ORGANICALLYBECCA gets you a discount!
• Osea Malibu: Vegan skincare in frosty glass bottles and recyclable packaging. They are Climate Neutral Certified and their offices are powered by renewable energy sources. Check this blog post to see my Osea faves!
• Osmia Organics: Organic soaps that come in partially-recycled, chlorine-free watercolor paper. Their skincare products are housed in glass with EcoCert-approved recyclable pumps or 100% recycled cardboard tubes with recyclable metal tops. All of the boxes they use are made with recyclable, FSC certified paper and printed with non-toxic, soy-based ink.
• Raw Elements: Reef-safe mineral sunscreens and skin care products, they have an entirely “plastic-free” collection. Mostly glass and aluminum tins!
• True Botanicals: Body and skincare products packaged in glass to optimize freshness and to consider the environment.
• UpCircle: Body scrubs, face scrubs, and a facial serum made with repurposed coffee grounds, yum! Packaged in aluminum tubes and cardboard boxes. Code ORGANICALLYBECCA saves you at The Choosy Chick.
• Wabi-Sabi Botanicals: Essential oil-free and palm oil-free skincare with ethically-sourced ingredients, bottled in glass.

Green Household & Lifestyle Products:

• Branch Basics: A natural cleaning concentrate that can be diluted to make basically any cleaner you need around your house! You can use your own bottles or their glass bottles. Code ORGANICALLYBECCA gets you a discount on starter kits.
• Cleaning Essentials: A collection of reusable cleaning containers made of durable glass.
• Dropp’s Detergent Pods: Laundry and dishwasher detergent pods with completely biodegradable casing.
• Healthy Human: Food-grade stainless steel reusable straws and cups.
• Keep Cup: Reusable travel cups made from tempered glass and cork. Parts and accessories can be ordered separately.
• Kleen Kanteen: Food-grade stainless steel reusable cups, bottles, and canisters. All supporting accessories are made of BPA-free plastic or food-grade silicone. Parts and accessories can be ordered separately.
• Kosmatology: Organic body care products. The hand soaps come in large refill packs and you can reuse the glass pump bottle. They also have some products in paperboard containers such as Bug Balm. Code ORGANICALLYBECCA gets you a discount.
• Pela Case: 100% compostable phone case that arrives in totally plastic-free packaging. Code ORGANICALLYBECCA gets you a discount.
• Stasher Bags: Pure platinum food-grade silicone reusable snack bags.

You might also like this blog post…

A Complete Guide to Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly Kitchen Supplies

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Do you know of any other brands that use zero waste or sustainable packaging? Let us know in the comments and we’ll add them to the list! 👇

This post written in collaboration with:

Jessica is the founder of Everyday Eco Living, a blog dedicated to providing practical ways to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. As a working mom of two, she has found a way to incorporate green living into a busy lifestyle. Go give her a follow on Instagram: @everydayecoliving.