In a groundbreaking revelation, the beauty industry is under the scrutiny of environmentally conscious consumers who demand swifter eco-friendly strides. A recent CleanHub Clean Beauty Consumer Survey, encompassing insights from 523 decision-making adults in personal and healthcare product purchases, sheds light on two pivotal areas for improvement—reduction of plastic packaging and responsible post-use disposal.
CleanHub, a trailblazing plastic waste prevention startup, reports a resounding 81% of surveyed individuals advocating for active measures by beauty brands to minimize plastic packaging. Meanwhile, 72% express a keen interest in understanding the strategies adopted by their preferred brands to prevent product disposal in oceans or landfills.
A noteworthy 47% of consumers prioritize recyclable plastic in their product choices, with an equal percentage expressing willingness to pay a premium for items featuring sustainable packaging. In the realm of cosmetics, 63% assert that clean beauty holds paramount importance, with a focus on non-toxic products. Following closely are considerations for cruelty-free attributes, sustainable packaging, organic ingredients, zero waste, overall environmental impact, and vegan suitability.
An intriguing 40% of respondents actively seek additional insights on sustainability, employing methods such as scrutinizing packaging details (61%), exploring brand websites (60%), engaging with social media content (37%), and participating in word-of-mouth discussions (24%).
As the survey coincides with the festive season, where an estimated 26% of consumers indulge in beauty product purchases, it’s evident that current industry progress falls short of consumer expectations.
While the beauty industry has made commendable strides in sustainability, CleanHub emphasizes its staggering annual contribution—120 billion units of plastic packaging and 19 million acres of deforestation. The urgency for change is underscored by the fact that the hashtag #CleanBeauty boasts over 2.1 billion views on TikTok and 6.3 billion tags on Instagram as of October 2023.
