the applicator

Plastic waste from the cosmetics industry, particularly from lipstick applicators, has become an important environmental concern. Lipstick tubes (along with other packaging components) contribute significantly to the overall plastic waste generated. Approx. 18 billion tonnes of landfill and ocean pollution is being generated by the beauty and personal care industry every year.

L.Y.P.P.S plans on completely upheaving the manufacturing process by re-inventing the common lipstick applicator we have loved for centuries by using metal ‘cartridges’ for lipstick, plastic waste is minimized, while the ‘put-it-yourself-together’ applicator itself is constructed of fully recyclable materials. With this, customers are spending less on individual lipsticks with purchasing only refill ‘cartridges’ - resulting in less waste and a more personalized beauty product, shifting consumer behaviour toward a more sustainable future, and changing the landscape of the lipstick industry.

environmental impact

Plastic waste from lipstick applicators contributes to broader environmental pollution:

  • Landfill Accumulation: Most lipstick tubes end up in landfills due to their mixed materials, which make recycling difficult. The degradation process of plastics in landfills can take hundreds of years.

  • Ocean Pollution: Some cosmetic packaging, especially those that are not properly disposed of, can end up in the ocean, where plastics contribute to marine pollution and the destruction of marine life.

  • Carbon Footprint: The production of plastic packaging for cosmetics is energy-intensive and adds to the carbon footprint of the industry.

Challenges with Recycling

  • Mixed Materials: Lipstick tubes are typically made from a combination of materials (e.g., plastic, metal, and paper) that are difficult to separate for recycling.

  • Small Size: Many lipstick tubes are small and lightweight, which makes them harder to collect and process at recycling facilities.

  • Lack of Consumer Awareness: Consumers are often unaware of how to properly recycle cosmetics packaging. Some regions lack dedicated recycling streams for small beauty items.

Materials Used in Lipstick Packaging

Lipstick applicators and tubes are usually made from a combination of plastics such as:

  • Polyethylene (PE): A common plastic in lipstick tubes that is lightweight and flexible.

  • Polypropylene (PP): Often used in the inner mechanism that helps push up the lipstick.

  • Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): Occasionally used for the outer tube, although less common.

  • Aluminum: Sometimes used for the outer casing or as a coating on plastic tubes.

These plastics are durable and easy to mold into compact shapes, but they are also difficult to recycle, especially when mixed with other materials like metals or decorative coatings.

Single-Use Nature

Many lipstick tubes are designed for single use and contain small amounts of product. Once the lipstick is used, the applicator and packaging are typically discarded. This creates a considerable amount of waste, especially since users often do not think to recycle these items due to their small size or mixed materials.