Cosmetics are not just visible beauty; each package, each material choice, and each seal that accompanies it are tangible messages of responsibility. In a market where consumers are increasingly demanding sustainability, recycled packaging is not only a competitive advantage but also an ethical, regulatory, and fiscal necessity.
Why bet on recycled packaging?
- Reduction of environmental impact: Using recycled materials reduces the extraction of virgin raw materials, contributes to waste reduction, and lowers energy consumption in production.
- Improved brand perception: More and more customers value products with a significantly smaller environmental footprint. Recycled packaging communicates transparency, responsibility, and consistency.
- Regulatory compliance: European and national policies, such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) or the Law on Waste and Contaminated Soil for a Circular Economy in Spain, are raising standards. Minimum recycled material content, recyclability criteria, etc., are being established.
Spain recently introduced a special tax that levies a charge on non-reusable plastic packaging containing plastic. Some key data:
- The tax is 0.45 euros per kilogram of non-recycled plastic contained in packaging.
- It applies to manufacturers, importers, or intra-community purchasers in many cases.
- To calculate the taxable base, it is essential to separate how much non-recycled plastic each package contains.
The Role of Certifications
Certifications that accredit recycled content, traceability, and material quality. Their importance is growing on several fronts:
a) Tax exemption or reduction
- As of January 1, 2024, declarations of responsibility are no longer sufficient to be exempt from taxes: it will be mandatory to have an accredited certification that attests to the amount of recycled plastic used.
- Certifications such as RecyClass are examples of schemes that legally demonstrate recycled content.
b) Traceability and trust
- It's not enough to have recycled material; you have to demonstrate its origin, how it is recycled, how it is integrated into the new packaging, and that it meets recognized standards. Certifications establish controls, audits, and standards that ensure that traceability.
c) Compliance with future regulations and sustainable design
- Forthcoming regulations, such as the EU's PPWR Regulation, require minimum recycled material content, reduce non-recyclable materials, better labeling, reduction of disposable packaging, etc. Having certifications aligned with these standards puts companies ahead of future requirements.
d) Communication and reputation benefits
* It translates into a better perception among consumers, investors, and other stakeholders.* It helps differentiate the brand from the competition.How to Implement Effective Certifications in Cosmetics?
To take advantage of these benefits, cosmetic brands must:
- Evaluate your supply chain: identify sources of recycled material and whether they meet quality, traceability, and standards.
- Select a recognized certification: such as RecyClass, ENAC-accredited entities.
- Design packaging with eco-design: minimize non-recyclable materials, simplify materials (monomaterials if possible), avoid combinations that are difficult to recycle.
- Documentation and auditing: keep records that demonstrate the percentage of recycled material, how it is processed, and who certifies it.
- Transparent communication: use the correct labels/certificates, inform the consumer, including the recycled portion shown honestly.
In cosmetics, recycled packaging is not just an aesthetic trend or a marketing plus: it is a key element in sustainability, regulatory adaptation, and competitive advantage. Certifications not only legitimize these proposals to the consumer, but can also mean a significant reduction in tax costs, by exempting or reducing the tax on non-recycled plastics.
Adopting recycled packaging with certification not only protects the planet, but also protects the brand's margin, reputation, and future viability.