Chances are you’ve got a recycling bin somewhere in your house, and it’s likely that you know you should recycle plastic containers, brown boxes and soda cans. But, did you know that you can recycle some of your beauty products, too? From plastic tubs and glass bottles to aluminum tubes and aerosol spray cans, find everything you need to know about recycling your beauty products to minimize waste, ahead. Editor’s Note: Have you started recycling or reusing your empty beauty products more? Are you taking other steps to be more environmentally conscious? Garnier is offering the chance to win $10,000 to anyone who uploads a photo or video of their eco-friendly activity with the hashtag #OneGreenStep and tags @GarnierUSA. Learn more about the sweepstakes here. How to Prepare Beauty Products for RecyclingBefore you can actually recycle anything, double check that the item is able to be recycled. To do so, check the bottom of your packaging for a number. As a general rule of thumb, #1 plastics are always recyclable. Typically, most local facilities will accept #1, #2 and #5 plastics. Glass, cans and aluminum are generally always recyclable, but be sure to check with your local rules. Pro tip: If your local recycling facility doesn’t recycle a certain type of beauty product, check the brand’s website to see if they have their own recycling program. For example, Garnier offers a recycling program on several of their products, including the pumps on spray bottles like the Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine 10-in-1 Leave-in Spray. Since the end of 2020, all Garnier Fructis bottles have been made from 100% recycled plastic.  Before you toss any products, make sure the vessel is clean. Any item with residual formula won’t get recycled. How to Recycle Plastic Beauty Product BottlesShampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion and cleanser bottles are typically made of a flexible plastic, which, thankfully, is easy to recycle. Make sure that the bottom of the bottle has a #1, #2 or #5 on it. Once you’ve confirmed the number, feel free to place it in the recycling. If your bottle comes with a pump, spray head or dropper, make sure you separate it from the bottle and check online if it is also recyclable (some are, but it depends on the product). Caps, on the other hand, can be placed back on the bottle and tossed in the recycling bin.How to Recycle Glass Beauty Product JarsClear, blue or brown glass can be recycled over and over, just make sure that you remove any caps, lids and applicators that aren’t glass and dispose of them separately. If the glass has been broken in any way, it can’t be recycled either and should go into the trash.
