As seen on the news and on social media, the plastic problem is growing rapidly and we need to take action now. According to Ocean Conservancy “Every year, 8 million metric tons of plastics enter our ocean on top of the estimated 150 million metric tons that currently circulate our marine environments.”

It is no secret that the beauty industry has a problem with plastic and this is a problem that the beauty community as a whole should be worried about. According to the article “The Beauty Industry Has a Plastics Problem” written by Teen Vogue’s  Amy Westervelt DECEMBER 26, 2018, “Euromonitor sent Teen Vogue its global data on plastic packaging in the beauty industry, which shows that in 2010, the industry produced 65.62 billion plastic packaging units. By 2017 that number was 76.8 billion. That count, of course, doesn't even factor in plastic accessories, like mini scoopers or application tools.”

The beauty industry is a billion dollar business and Sephora is one of those billion dollar companies, that I like many others give thousands of dollars too. Many of the products at Sephora have plastic, it is important to note that beauty products are recyclable, but it is very difficult to recycle. That is why I am calling for Sephora to start a recycling program to help reduce plastic waste.

There are many other companies that have recycling programs that I believe do not get enough attention such as MAC, where is you recycle 6 MAC lipsticks you get one free. Origins, who have had their program emplaced since 2009. L’Occitane and Garnier who have team up with a company called Terracycle to reduce the plastic waste. I believe in go big or go home. I am going big. I am asking Sephora  to start a recycling program to help our planet.