In honor of Earth Day, it’s important to refresh your understanding on how to correctly dispose of makeup. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw away about 28 billion bottles and jars every year. We can decrease the amount of waste with these easy ideas on how to recycle makeup containers, reuse makeup containers, and how to be a responsible consumer.

Upcycle Makeup Containers

The practice of upcycling is when you take a used product that could be discarded, and make it into something better then it originally was. Empty makeup containers can be upcycled to make unique gifts or storage solutions for your other makeup. For example, an empty lip gloss container (with a doe foot applicator) can be washed out and filled with your favorite squeeze tube liquid concealer. Now you have an easy on the go concealer from you favorite brand.

Shop At Retailers With A Recycling Program

The most popular makeup-recycling program is “Back to MAC” from MAC Cosmetics. If you return 6 empty MAC containers, you can get a free lipstick in return. Almost any product that comes in a plastic or glass container can be returned through this program.

Origins Cosmetics has any even more innovative recycling program where they will recycle empty containers from any makeup brand. Customers have been bringing their used up makeup to Origins since 2009. The company sends these containers to locations where the products can be recycled or used for energy recovery.

Find Out How To Dispose Of Your Makeup Correctly

Although we may think beauty products can do know wrong, some makeup is labeled as hazardous materials. For example, nail polishes and nail polish removers are very toxic to the environment and they should never be thrown away or flushed down the toilet. To responsibly get rid of these products, contact your local hazardous waste program and find out your best course of action.