2024 Recycling Regulatory Trends: Resin Identification Codes & What They Mean for Cosmetic Packaging

As regulatory trends and consumer preferences shift towards more sustainable packaging, cosmetic brands must understand the importance of resin identification codes (RICs) and their impact on recyclability.

Resin Type Common Areas of Usage in Cosmetic Packaging Properties Recycling
PET (1) Bottles for lotions, shampoos, containers for creams Clear, strong, solvent-resistant, good barrier against gas and moisture Widely recyclable; accepted by most recycling programs
HDPE (2) Containers for shampoo, conditioner, body wash Sturdy, resistant to chemicals and moisture, opaque Widely recyclable; accepted by most recycling programs
PVC (3) N/A (Rarely used for cosmetic packaging) Flexible, durable, can be clear or colored Less commonly recycled
LDPE (4) Squeeze tubes, bottle caps, dispensing bottles Flexible, tough, transparent or opaque Recycling availability varies; not as widely accepted
PP (5) Containers for powders, some pump bottles High melting point, resistant to chemicals, often opaque Increasingly being recycled
PS (6) Compact cases for powders and blushes Rigid, can be clear or foamed (as in styrofoam) Limited recycling options; often not accepted
Other (7) Specialty packaging Varies widely due to inclusion of different materials (e.g., polycarbonate can be very tough, bioplastics are compostable) Varies widely; generally accepted by fewer recycling programs

Are there any specific regulations that encourage the use of one type of resin over another?

As of April 2024, there aren’t any specific regulations that explicitly encourage the use of one type of resin over another. However, regulatory trends and market dynamics are increasingly favoring resins that are more recyclable.

European Union. On November 30, 2022, the European Commission proposed revisions to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) to ensure that "all packaging on the EU market is reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030". (Source)

United States. There are currently no federal-level mandatory targets for the recyclability of plastic packaging that dictate a specific percentage of recyclable materials that must be used.

However, some states have enacted their own regulations. For example, Washington State has set the following annual minimum postconsumer recycled content percentages for plastic containers used in personal care products:

  • 2025 - 2027: No less than 15 percent postconsumer recycled content plastic by weight

  • 2028 - 2030: No less than 25 percent postconsumer recycled content plastic by weight

  • On and after 2031: No less than 50 percent postconsumer recycled content plastic by weight (Source)

Previous
Previous

Visit Booth N3Q11 & W5H03 | CBE China Shanghai Beauty Expo 2024

Next
Next

Success at Cosmoprof Bologna 2024