The Great British Beauty Clean Up: What should I do with my empties?

Did you know that the beauty industry produces a whopping 120 billion units of packaging each year, much of it single-use plastic that ends up in landfill. So what should we be looking for on the labels which indicates what we should be doing with our empties?

2 minute read

Made Of More’s packaging is made up of 50% PCR; Post-Consumer Recycled packaging. In other words, packaging materials made from plastic, paper, or other materials that have been recycled after being used by consumers.

By raising the stakes to 50% over the industry standard of 30%, PCR packaging:

Reduces Waste: It helps divert waste from landfills by turning used materials into new packaging.

 

Conserves Resources: It lowers the demand for virgin raw materials (like new plastic, paper, or aluminium) to be harvested or processed.

 

Lower Carbon Footprint: Using PCR materials generally results in less energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to using virgin materials. 

Like Made Of More, we are seeing many more brands shifting toward PCR packaging to make their products more sustainable and reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste. It's a key part of the circular economy, where products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible.

So where does the packaging go once you have finished the product?
Once you’ve finished with your 50% PCR Made Of More plastic tubes & pots, how you
dispose of it depends on a few factors. Generally, if the packaging is made from a recyclable plastic material, it should be placed in the recycling bin. However, here are some steps you can follow:

1. Check the Recycling Symbol: Look for the recycling symbol; if there it’s likely accepted by most domestic and instore recycling programs. It's always a good idea to visit your local recycling program’s website or contact them directly for guidance on how to dispose of the packaging properly.
2. Clean it: Before recycling, it’s a good idea to rinse or clean the packaging to remove any leftover contents. This helps avoid contamination, which can make the recycling process more efficient.

** Made Of More’s streamlined collection of multi-use products also ensures empty
packaging is limited.

The Great British Beauty Clean Up Campaign
During March 2025, we are pleased to be supporting the Great British Beauty Clean Up, beauty’s first cross-industry collaboration to reduce the impact of waste on the planet. As a key player in the industry, we are focusing our efforts on ensuring our community is armed with the knowledge they need to manage their empties correctly.

This amazing initiative is brought to you by the Sustainable Beauty Coalition, a pioneering campaign to increase recycling rates via at-home bins and retailer take back schemes.

To find out more or to find your closest recycling scheme, visit the British Beauty Council’s website: Take-back and recycling points : The British Beauty Council.

For further information on house hold recycling in your area please visit Recycling collections - GOV.UK.

Our knowledge sets us apart

Blue Light: The Midlife Skin Disruptor You Didn’t Know You Needed to Block

Did you know the average person spends over 7 hours a day in front of screens? In midlife, when skin becomes more vulnerable to environmental stress, this matters more than ever.

Why Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate Is a Game-Changer for Midlife Skin...

At Made of More, we believe skincare should meet you where you are. And midlife? It's not about winding down - it's about powering up with purpose. Your skin deserves the same support. 

Navigating the seasonal skin transition from winter to spring for hormonal and perimenopausal skin

As we start coming out of winter hibernation with a spring in our step, is our skin feeling the same kind of bounce? We get the lowdown on how skin may be finding the seasonal transition where changes in temperature, humidity and exposure to sunlight can all affect the overall balance of skin from our Clinical Lead, Dr Dhesi.

Made Of More Wins 14 Awards!

It’s party time over at Made Of More HQ having won 14 awards in the 2025 Beauty Shortlist Awards!

Questions? We’ve got answers

We typically process orders in 1-2 business days and your product should arrive within 5 working days via Royal Mail. The world of shipping is however currently experiencing supply-chain related delays and so this is an estimation only. You will receive an email notification when your order has been sent.