We’re reimagining how we package our products, through material and design innovation to reuse components and reduce waste.

THE ISSUE

We have a love/hate relationship with packaging. We need it. But we know there is often too much of it, and it could always be better. Some stats say that more than 120 billion units of packaging are produced by the beauty industry each year, 95% of which gets discarded. We’ve worked hard to create better packaging, of which over 85% is recyclable. For the remaining amount, we are still subject to limitations in available materials and regional infrastructure. We’re improving by increasing the use of recycled materials and exploring innovative new alternatives. At the same time, we’re working on ways to strengthen both our own packaging and the industry as a whole. We encourage you to use the recycling infrastructure available near you to give our packaging the best chance of a second life.

WE AIM TO:

  • Reduce environmental impact of existing packaging
  • Innovate with circular packaging
  • Work with industry leaders to neutralize the impacts of ocean plastic

Did you know? All LOoPHA bottles are made from 100% PCR HDPE, meaning every bottle is fully recycled plastic.

WHAT WE ARE DOING.

85%+ of our packaging is recyclable

We’re working to ensure that the majority of our packaging is designed to be easily recycled. In 2024, over 85% of the packaging we sold was recyclable, and we’re pushing that number even higher. That means bottles, caps, and cartons that are made not just to look good on your shelf, but to leave less behind once you’re done. The world doesn’t need more waste, so we’re doing our part to make recycling the norm, not the exception.

Reducing virgin petroleum plastic to 50% or less by 2030

The use of plastic is sometimes unavoidable in our line of work, but we do our best to avoid using new plastic made from petroleum, that’s why we have set a goal to reduce the use of virgin plastic to 50% or less by 2030. Post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials come from stuff that’s already been used and recycled, including more than just plastic. We’re increasing the amount of PCR materials in our packaging to at least 25%. Our goal is to think circularly whenever possible and make use of what already exists.

All of our cartons will remain FSC-certified

Our cartons are already made from FSC-certified paperboard, and we’re keeping it that way. The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) seal means our paper is sourced responsibly, from forests that are managed with care for biodiversity, local communities, and the climate.

  • We know recycling-related terms can be confusing. For the sake of clarity, this is how we define each one:  

    1. Reusable – Packaging designed for multiple uses, either independently or with a refill or recharge system.  

    2. Recyclable – Packaging made with materials that can be processed and reused in recycling systems.  

    3. Refillable – Packaging that allows for easy replacement of product inserts to reduce waste.  

    4. Recoverable – Packaging that can be collected through take-back programs for repurposing or energy recovery.  

    5. Recycled – Packaging that incorporates post-consumer recycled materials (PCR) to reduce environmental impact. PCR materials are materials that have been used by consumers and collected through recycling programs to be processed into something new.

    6. Ocean Plastic (OP) and Ocean Bound Plastic (OBP) – refers to plastic that can be recovered from oceans, contributing waterways or beaches; typically this plastic is found no further than 50km of shoreline, where waste management is inefficient or non-existent. This type of plastic waste contributes to marine toxicity and pollution.

  • OUR MATERIALS

    At DECIEM, we keep things simple when it comes to packaging. We choose materials like glass, aluminum, and certain types of plastic because they’re easier to recycle, which means more of what we make has a better shot at a second life.

    Over the past few years, more than 85% of our packaging has been curbside recyclable. This means that the majority of our products can go in the recycling bin and don't need special recycling efforts. 

    Still, we know the system isn’t perfect. Globally, only about 9% of plastic actually gets recycled . That needs to change. That’s why we’re shifting more of our packaging to post-consumer recycled materials, materials like plastic that’s already lived one life and gets to live another. As a start, we are launching one of our most iconic products, our Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner in a bottle made with 50% recycled PET. .While we’re shifting to recycled materials, we’re not shifting our prices, which is why we balance the percentage of recycled content to keep our products accessible.

    In our fiscal year 2025, the total weight of packaging used across all products sold by the DECIEM family of brands was over 6,000 metric tonnes. Just less than half of that was glass (46%), followed by paper (37%), plastic (13%), and mixed materials* (4%). We’re working to tip the scales even further toward better materials, less waste, and more circularity.

    *“Mixed materials” means the packaging uses a combination of materials (such as aluminium, rubber, stainless steel, or protective coatings) depending on the product. Because of this, recycling options may vary by location.

  • OUR PLASTICS JOURNEY

    Even though plastic makes up only about 13% of our total packaging materials, we still want to use less of it, and we’re just as focused on cleaning up what’s already out there. Right now, we can’t completely eliminate plastic from our packaging. So, while we continue working on better alternatives, we’re also taking responsibility for the plastic footprint we, and rest of the beauty industry, leave behind.

    That’s why we’ve partnered with 4ocean, a certified B Corp that specializes in recovering ocean and ocean-bound plastic in regions where formal waste management systems are lacking. But this work is about more than just cleanups, it’s about long-term impact.

    4ocean hires and empowers local fishermen and community leaders to recover plastic directly from the shorelines, rivers, and coastal waters most at risk. This approach supports local economies, builds awareness, and restores critical marine ecosystems, one piece of plastic at a time.

    Together, we’re committing to remove over 1 million kilograms of plastic from vulnerable coastal environments by 2028. Because reducing plastic is only part of the story, restoring the health of our oceans is the future we all need.

QUESTIONS?

  • Curious to know more? We love questions. Feel free to message us through our contact page and we'll get back to you.

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