PLANET
Planet is introduced as one of the 4 pillars of the cosmetic industry. Cosmetic products are used on a large scale on a global level, resulting in having major impacts on planet Earth from increasing numbers of chemical compounds concocted to the effects of mass production, as well as the use of plastic packaging.
In 2021, the European Parliament defined, “The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended.” (Boidurjo Rick Mukhopadhyay 2021). The circular economy has highlighted the importance of creating more sustainable products and how to be more ‘eco-friendly’, the fact that the cosmetics corporation is one of the fastest growing industries in terms of economy, with over 5 billion units of goods sold in the EU annually, and an estimated €79.8 billion in 2019 in the EU market (Cosmetics Europe, 2012a, 2019a). Sustainability in relation to cosmetics should have a holistic approach aimed at minimizing the environmental, social, and economic impacts of cosmetic product development, manufacturing, and consumption. It involves responsible ingredient sourcing, eco-friendly packaging, reduced energy and water consumption, cruelty-free testing methods, fair labour practices, and a commitment to long-term economic viability.
The growing concern of emerging environmental pollutants and organic contaminants from products containing UV filters and absorbers, both organic and inorganic, and silicones which are frequently found in cosmetics are essential ingredients. The chemical makeup of the UV filters and silicon have become emerging environmental pollutants in oceans and freshwaters, (Pablo Gago-Ferrero 2012). Tiny particles of titanium dioxide (the main active ingredient in inorganic UV filters) affect fish, algae, and sea creatures. Some research showed that nano-TiO2 had little impact on these aquatic organisms, but it became more harmful when exposed to UV radiation or strong sunlight because it produced harmful substances. Two commonly used siloxanes, cyclopentasiloxane and cyclopentasiloxane, are harmful and can build up in aquatic creatures. (Muhammad Bilal 2020).
“The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.” (United Nations 2023)
There are 17 SDGs, the SDG 11 of life below water is something that the cosmetic industry has grave implications on as the result of products and active ingredients having adverse effects on sea life and preservation.
Reference
Bilal, M., Mehmood, S. and Iqbal, H.M.N. (2020). The Beast of Beauty: Environmental and Health Concerns of Toxic Components in Cosmetics. Cosmetics, 7(1), p.13. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics7010013.
Gago-Ferrero, P., Badia-Fabregat, M., Olivares, A., Piña, B., Blánquez, P., Vicent, T., Caminal, G., Díaz-Cruz, M.S. and Barceló, D. (2012). Evaluation of fungal- and photo-degradation as potential treatments for the removal of sunscreens BP3 and BP1. The Science of the Total Environment, [online] 427-428, pp.355–363. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.03.089.
Mukhopadhyay, Boidurjo Rick & B.K.Mukhopadhyay, Dr. (2021). What is the Circular Economy?. 4 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354462443_What_is_the_Circular_Economy
United Nations (2023). United Nations Sustainable Development. [online] United Nations Sustainable Development. Available at: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/.