A MECCA helping hand for recycling empty beauty products

The MECCA x TerraCycle collaboration has collected almost 12,000kg of empty beauty waste

With a growing trend towards thoughtful beauty brands, increasing effort is also being put into clever design, including refillable products and sustainable packaging solutions.

When it comes to upcycling and recycling empty beauty products, MECCA is leading the way with its TerraCycle partnership.

Dedicated to having collection bins in every MECCA store across New Zealand and Australia by the end of this month, the free in-store recycling collection programme is part of an ongoing campaign to encourage customers to recycle their empty beauty products.

Since trials began in 2019 with five stores across Australia, the MECCA x TerraCycle collaboration has collected almost 12,000kg of empty beauty waste. To help visualise that – it’s almost 150,000 empty beauty containers that would otherwise have hit landfill.

Manufactured in Melbourne, the TerraCycle bin itself is made from 100% recycled empty beauty waste – a perfect example of the full circle process of recycling.

Alongside providing the free collection service, MECCA offers some useful tips around repurposing beauty empties, with some resourceful beauty hacks.

Repurpose your beauty empties:

Use empty candle vessels to store makeup brushes, stationery or cotton buds
Empty fragrance bottles also work as oil diffusers or single-stem flower vases
Reuse your favourite pump bottle packaging as your washing detergent dispenser
When travelling, store clean cotton pads in empty moisturiser jars
Empty face mist bottles? Use them to spritz the leaves of your plants
Try using pre-loved (and clean) liquid liner brushes as a nail art pens

Make the most of multipurpose products

Your magic multitaskers are one of the easiest ways to reduce your beauty footprint. You may already own several products you didn’t even realise could be used in multiple ways to half the size of your makeup bag. Try these:

Did you know concealer doubles as eyeshadow primer? It not only improves the longevity of the eyeshadow or eyeliner you pop on top but also neutralises any discolouration on the eyelid
Bronzers also work as great multitaskers. A liquid bronzer can be mixed into foundation or tinted moisturiser when the warmer weather rolls around. This will deepen the shade of your base without investing in an entirely new foundation shade.
Powder bronzers (and blushes for that matter) make excellent eyeshadows and can add warmth and dimension to the lids
When sourcing your perfect blush, opt for a shade you’d wear on your lips too!
A multi-use highlighting face serum can be used as a hydrating, brightening, and highlighting serum. It can be used before moisturiser or as the last step in your beauty routine for an instant glossy finish.

Reuse and refill old favourites

What’s better than repurchasing your favourite product? Repurchasing with savings in your pocket and a guilt-free conscience. Here are just a few brands offering refill options – healthier on your wallet and the planet:

Skyn ICELAND Nordic Renewal Pre + Probiotic Cream Starter Set & NordicRenewal Pre + Probiotic Cream Refill