Lash Out Against Waste | How and Why Lash Brands and Professionals Are Advocating for Recycling
Let’s address the elephant in the room – is recycling actually important as an individual, and as a lash business owner? Today, we want to talk about something that's super close to our hearts and crucial for our planet - recycling. Now, you might be thinking, "Sure, I've heard this all before," but stick with us.
In the beauty industry, where the allure of our treatments often overshadows the pressing need for sustainability, the question arises: How important is recycling, really? For us at London Lash, a leading sustainable lash extensions brand in the US, the answer is crystal clear. Recycling isn't just important; it's imperative. And honestly, the stats are a bit shocking. Did you know that, according to California Review Management, a whopping 32.1% of waste in the American recycling system doesn't get recycled or composted? Even more alarming is the fact that in the United States, Douglas Main stresses his concern that a mere 5% - 6% of plastics find their way back into the recycling loop each year!
So, why is recycling important, and what can you, as a Lash Tech, do to make a difference? Let's delve into steps we can take towards a more sustainable lash industry.
What is Recycling?
At its core, recycling involves converting waste into new, useful materials, aiming to reduce the consumption of raw resources, curb energy usage, and minimize landfill waste. All in all, recycling is technically our secret weapon in the fight against pollution and for conserving our beautiful planet for future generations.
As a Lash Tech, How Can You Help?
As Lash Artists, we're not just experts in lash extension treatments, we're also influencers in the beauty industry and beyond – whether that be just to our clients or via our social media platforms. As you, the beauticians who are the backbone of our industry, have the power to influence industry practices and consumer habits.
By advocating for recycling and sustainability, we can lead by example, inspiring both our peers and clients to adopt eco-friendly habits. Here's how:
Educate Yourself and Others: Knowledge is power, so familiarize yourself with the recycling protocols in your area. Whatcan be recycled? How? Share these golden nuggets of info with your clients and on your socials.
Choose Sustainable Lash Brands: We don't want to toot our own horn too much, but we strive to be as eco-friendly as we can be, from ensuring our deliveries are carbon-neutral and many of our products have recyclable packaging, to providing tips on becoming an eco-friendly Lash Tech. So, stocking up with products from lash brands that are committed to sustainability is a big step towards becoming environmentally friendly yourself.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle in Your Salon: These three Rs are actually really easy to follow! Simply implement recycling bins in your workspace for paper, plastic, and metal waste. Even small steps like reusing old product containers where safe and possible. For instance, old lash trays can hold small accessories or be used for organization, but if that’s not for you, don’t worry because our lash trays are completely recyclable!
Advocate for Sustainable Products: Use biodegradable, recyclable, or reusable products that are kind to the Earth. As we’ve touched on, here at London Lash, we offer a huge range of eco-friendly lash supplies designed to minimize our environmental impact without compromising on quality.
Educate Clients on Sustainable Aftercare: Recommend environmentally friendly aftercare products and explain the importance of proper disposal of lash-related waste, even if it’s just switching out disposable lash wands for reusable silicone ones. If you really want to make a difference, you could even start a salvage scheme for product containers?
Is London Lash Sustainable?
At London Lash, we're not just talking a big game; we're putting our money where our mouth is. Our commitment to sustainability is woven into the fabric of our operations and is a core ethos. Here are a few ways that we're trying to make a difference:
Carbon-Neutral Deliveries: We've taken significant steps to ensure our deliveries are carbon-neutral, offsetting carbon emissions by investing in environmental projects.
Sustainable Packaging Practices: We’ve switched out our bubble wrap for a protective paper alternative, swapped our polystyrene packaging chips for biodegradable chips that dissolve in water, and ditched the plastic bags (the ones that hold your lash trays) in favor of biodegradable alternatives! Not to mention, we’ve replaced most of our plastic mailing bags with biodegradable or recyclable ones.
What About Our Products?
- We’re discontinuing our plastic product bottles in favor of recyclable glass bottles – you may have already noticed that the majority of our Pretreatment products are now available in sleek glass packaging!
- We are removing the magnetic closure and spot UV print on our paper lash boxes, making them 100% recyclable. The majority of our collections are already in this new design!
- We launched metal reusable handles for disposables like micro brushes and mascara wands, which help to reduce waste by 80%.
- We launched a London Lash Outlet rather than disposing of products that don't pass our quality control. Disposing of products that don't meet our standards adds unnecessary waste and plastic to landfills, so we decided to sell the items at a highly discounted price so that Lash Technicians could use them for practicing their craft.
Let’s Make a Difference Together
The beauty industry is at a crossroads, facing the dual challenge of meeting consumer demands while also addressing environmental responsibilities. As lash professionals, we're in a unique position to lead the change towards a more sustainable and eco-conscious industry. By recycling and advocating for sustainable practices, we can ensure that our passion for beauty contributes to the health and well-being of our planet too. Recycling is more than an environmental obligation, it's also a commitment to providing a brighter future for generations to come. So, let's lash out against waste together, fostering a beauty industry that thrives on both innovation, beauty, and sustainability!
