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More consumers now consider the environmental impact of their product choices. Companies can increase the reach of their customer base by switching to more sustainable forms of formulation & manufacturing that reduce the amount of microplastic waste generated.
What we know:
1.3 million metric tons of microplastics (MPLs) enter the world’s oceans annually, predicted to increase to three million metric tons annually by 2040. Personal care products are responsible for only 2% of this, but are the only one classed as an intentional source of MPL loss into the planet’s waterways through inclusion of ingredients like microbeads (Statista 2023; Boucher & Friot 2017).
Exposure to MPLs are linked to shifts in skin microbiome composition associated with loss of diversity & dysbiosis in marine animals. Entry of MPLs into human skin may cause inflammation, cell death & oxidative stress (Schirinzi et al., 2017).
Formulations containing ingredients like polyethylene microbeads (now banned in several countries e.g. UK & US) and other synthetic polymers are the biggest sources of cosmetic MPLs (Leslie 2014).
Degradation of plastic packaging is also a major source of secondary microplastics entering the environment from landfills and waste management facilities (Cubas et al., 2022).
Some steps to reduce plastic footprints includes using biopolymers such as cellulose & polylactic acid as biodegradable alternatives to plastic packaging or substituting plastic ingredients with natural alternatives like plant lectins as an alternative to petroleum-derived preservatives, bacterial cellulose instead of polypropylene emulsifiers/thickeners, and microalgae in place of plastic UV filters (Cubas et al., 2022).
Industry impact & potential:
81% of consumers believe cosmetic brands should actively reduce plastic package use, and with this change many companies have embraced low plastic practices to reduce waste. Food for Skin | B Corp has dedicated years of research into developing organic, all natural skincare formulations free of parabens and microplastics. Aveda has also taken steps to reduce waste generated from plastic packaging and ingredient formulations by using post-consumer recycled materials and bioplastics in their packaging.
Our solution:
As a testing company, Sequential has made its efforts to support the industry’s shift to an environmentally friendly business model, working closely with eco-conscious brands and reducing the amount of lab plastic waste. Sequential has also co-launched the industry’s first at-home consumer microbiome test with multiple international partners in the hopes of encouraging consumers to test their skin before purchasing skincare products to reduce the risk of purchasing products mismatched from their skin’s need. This allows for lower trial and error of purchasing products, resulting in less waste of skincare products.
References:
Boucher, Julien & Friot, Damien. (2017). Primary Microplastics in the Oceans: A Global Evaluation of Sources. 10.2305/IUCN.CH.2017.01.en.
Cubas ALV, Bianchet RT, Reis IMASd, Gouveia IC. Plastics and Microplastic in the Cosmetic Industry: Aggregating Sustainable Actions Aimed at Alignment and Interaction with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Polymers. 2022; 14(21):4576. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14214576
Leslie, H.A. (2014) Review of Microplastics in Cosmetics. Institute of Environmental Studies, VU University, Amsterdam.
Schirinzi GF, Pérez-Pomeda I, Sanchís J, Rossini C, Farré M, Barceló D. Cytotoxic effects of commonly used nanomaterials and microplastics on cerebral and epithelial human cells. Environ Res. 2017 Nov;159:579-587. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.08.043. Epub 2017 Sep 11. PMID: 28898803.
Statista. (2023). Managed and mismanaged microplastics worldwide in 2016 with a forecast to 2040 under business-as-usual scenario. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1270661/microplastic-pollution-projections-worldwide/