End-to-end recycler Close the Loop is expanding its used cosmetic packaging takeback programme into the US, and is expecting to collect up to 200,000 tonnes of cosmetic packaging for reprocessing annually.
Close the Loop will support MAC Cosmetics – an Estee Lauder company – with its pioneering Back-to-M∙A∙C programme in the US, with all empties returned in North America (except California) to be delivered to Close the Loop facilities for processing. They will be sorted into categories and recycled or remanufactured.
Prior to this partnership, Close the Loop has been supporting MAC Cosmetics in Australia for over 10 years.
Close the Loop says it will use its advanced recycling technology to recycle a high percentage of what is returned, including materials that are typically not recyclable through municipal streams. The remaining materials will be converted into energy via waste-to-energy technology, providing a zero waste to landfill solution.
It is estimated up to 150,000 – 200,000 kilograms of cosmetics will be collected each year. M∙A∙C’s signature black plastic will be processed and remanufactured into new M∙A∙C makeup compacts as part of a closed loop process. Metals will be separated and sent to a metals recycling facility, and glass will be crushed for use as new glass.
Through the Back-To-M∙A∙C programme, which M∙A∙C created in 1990, customers are invited to take their empty M∙A∙C packaging to participating M∙A∙C Cosmetics counters and stores, as well as return online. Prior to this partnership, Close the Loop has been supporting M∙A∙C Cosmetics in Australia for the past 10 years.
Joe Foster, CEO of Close the Loop Group, said, “The beauty industry produces some of the most complex items to responsibly dispose of. The varying size of products and mixed composition of the materials (combining plastics, glass, metals, foils, natural fibres, mirrors, foam, paper and remnant products) make them difficult to sort and recycle. With this programme, we’ve successfully shown that we can recycle the product. The small elements unable to be recycled will be converted into energy via waste-to-energy technology, providing a zero waste to landfill solution.
“M∙A∙C Cosmetics is a leading luxury brand in sustainable solutions and paving the way for these practices to enter the mainstream beauty sector.
“We are excited to pioneer a zero waste to landfill solution for compacts, with the potential to be scaled for other products. We see several opportunities for not only expanding this program to other products, but of rolling this out across the industry.
“This program is a great example of how Close the Loop partners with industry leaders to assist with their ESG activities, in this case enabling end-of-life products to be efficiently collected and remanufactured into other products – a true circular economy in action.
“As the only ASX-listed company operating in all parts of the circular economy, we have extensive experience in partnering with industry to help improve their licence to operate by taking responsibility for plastics and investing in innovations that reclaim products and reduce waste.”
California is excluded from the programme, as its state law inhibits the recycling of returned cosmetic and personal care products. In compliance with local law, M·A·C collects the returns, diverts them from landfill and uses a third party to convert the returns from waste to energy.
