Cosmetics in a reusable system: that’s why the FAIR SQUARED cosmetics cycle exists
The basic idea is to live as waste-free a life as possible, without unnecessarily consuming raw materials. Consciously avoiding outer packaging plays just as important a role here as reusing all available resources. At its core, it is about keeping our ecological footprint as small as possible and putting a stop to excessive consumption in all areas, as well as plastic waste. As a company, it is important to us that we play our part in making the world a little bit better. For this reason, we have come up with a way to become part of the reusable movement together with our customers.
REUSABLE PACKAGING IN THE COSMETICS INDUSTRY: IT’S HIGH TIME
We began thinking about the environmental consequences of our actions at a very early stage. In many places, resources are wasted in the pursuit of making everyday life as convenient and practical as possible. The fact that everything ends up in plastic packaging, however briefly, is downright absurd when you consider the time it takes for plastic to decompose in relation to its usefulness. So what about our Fairtrade cosmetic products? We believe it is high time to bring about change here too!
ONE WAY? NO WAY!
First and foremost, of course, was the question we’ve asked ourselves more than once: ‘Is glass the better alternative, or should we fundamentally rethink our approach and completely reimagine our packaging?’ After several months of intensive study of the issue, we came to the conclusion that, at FAIR SQUARED, single-use packaging simply shouldn’t be an option any longer. Instead, we’re shaping the future with a reusable concept that puts the spotlight back on reusable glass!
GLASS IN A CIRCULAR SYSTEM – THE FIRST STEP
Perhaps it was a return to simpler times, when milk was still naturally delivered to homes in glass bottles and you simply returned them. Perhaps it was something else entirely. The fact is: we have opted for glass outer packaging that is reused multiple times within a closed-loop system. Producing glass does take a lot of energy. But that effort is spread across many uses when a container is refilled again and again – unlike plastic, which is made from petroleum and often ends up as waste after a single use.
COSMETICS FAIR TO THE ENVIRONMENT? AS SIMPLE AS THAT!
At the start of the cycle, of course, is the product – whether on the shelf in a high-street shop or in our online shop. Here, jars and bottles of various sizes wait to be taken home by ethically and environmentally conscious consumers. Once the creams and other skincare products have been used up, we’re happy to take the empty containers back.
RETURNING THE GLASSES – BACK TO THE SHOP
Customers can return the empty containers directly in-store. From there, the glass containers are collected and sent back to us. For anyone who has purchased products from our online shop, we offer the option of returning them to us, provided the minimum quantity is 10 jars. It doesn’t matter whether they are glass jars, bottles or the small lip balm tins. As a reward for their commitment, we’ll give the sender a €10 voucher to use on their next purchase with us.
THE CIRCLE IS CLOSED: CLEANSING AND REFILLING
Once the jars have been returned to us, we have them cleaned of all residues and prepared to the highest hygienic standards for the next refill with our products. As we are only at the beginning of this transition, we cannot yet estimate how the reusable system will be received by consumers. But we’re convinced that reusing outer packaging in the cosmetics industry has long been the way forward. With our simple yet significant cycle, we’re helping to effectively ‘FAIR-avoid’ waste and give glass a meaningful role in the natural cosmetics industry. And, incidentally, we think our jars and bottles look great too.
Eldad Schönfeld, 20. October 2018