Posted on June 20 2025
This year, the British Beauty Council - powered by the Sustainable Beauty Coalition - has launched The Great British Beauty Clean-Up – a new initiative aimed at tackling one of the beauty industry’s biggest environmental problems: waste.
From plastic packaging to disposable tools, the beauty industry generates around 120 billion units of packaging every year – much of it non-recyclable. This campaign calls on brands, freelancers, salons, and consumers to take responsibility for what we throw away.
What is the Sustainable Beauty Coalition?
The Sustainable Beauty Coalition (SBC) is a group formed by the British Beauty Councilto lead the beauty industry towards greater environmental responsibility through best practices and industry collaboration. The coalition aims to develop a clear strategy, roadmap, and initiatives to accelerate sustainability efforts within the beauty sector. It focuses on transparency, standards and certification, and innovation and technology.
What is The Great British Beauty Clean-Up?
The campaign is centred around three actions:
- Reducing waste: encouraging brands and individuals to cut back on single-use and excessive packaging
- Recycling responsibly: especially hard-to-recycle items like beauty plastics and empties
- Educating the industry: on sustainable kit habits and proper disposal options
The goal is to shift the beauty industry away from throwaway culture and towards practical, accessible solutions for managing waste.
Why It Matters to Makeup Artists
As freelance MUAs, we create a surprising amount of waste: mascara wands, cotton pads, sample sachets, and excess packaging from kits and product deliveries. We need to be conscious of where our kit ends up – especially as clients and production teams grow more eco-aware.
This campaign is a reminder to:
- Use refillable or minimal-waste products where possible
- Using reusable tools where hygiene allows
- Recycle empties through proper schemes
- Respect on-set or brand policies around waste and disposal
Client Expectations Are Changing
Clients – whether brides, models or producers – are now asking:
- Can I recycle this?
- Do you use biodegradable disposables?
- What happens to your kit waste?
Being able to answer confidently – and show that you’re reducing waste – builds trust and elevates your professionalism.
What We Do at The Central School of Makeup
At CSMU, we embed waste awareness into our training. This includes:
- Reducing disposables in student kits
- Promoting reusable tools where hygiene allows
- Teaching students about recycling schemes and eco brand policies
- Encouraging artists to think consciously about consumption and disposal
- Even our practical exams assess students on their approach to waste and sustainability while working!
Our goal is to prepare students to not just look professional, but act responsibly in every working environment.
Where MUAs Can Recycle Their Beauty Empties in the UK
Here are some reliable schemes that accept used beauty packaging:
Back to MAC
MAC continues to offer its Back to MAC recycling programme (though the free lipstick reward has ended). You can drop off clean, empty packaging at MAC counters across the UK.
Maybelline x Terracycle
Drop-off points available in many Boots stores – accepts all brands, not just Maybelline. Great for mascaras, compacts, and tubes.
L’Occitane Recycling Scheme
Accepts any brand of beauty packaging at their boutiques. Offers a small loyalty incentive.
The Body Shop Return, Recycle, Repeat
Take empties to participating stores (not all locations). Accepts pots, tubes, and bottles with the “Return Recycle” logo.
LookFantastic Recycling Scheme (online)
You can send off your empties for free via post – and gain points with LF while you’re at it. Check out their Recycle:me scheme.
Terracycle at Home
Some local councils partner with Terracycle. Visit terracycle.com to check your postcode.
A Cleaner Industry Starts With Us
The Great British Beauty Clean-Up is more than a campaign – it’s a movement. And as MUAs, we have a unique opportunity to lead by example.
To find out more about the Great British Beauty Clean Up read here.
