In June last year, U.S.- based Credo Beauty set guidelines for its 130+ partner brands to phase out single-use products and packaging. This includes sheet masks, make-up wipes, cleansing pads, and other single-use items, like sample packets.
In addition, it asked brands to eliminate substances like per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and some bisphenols in their product packaging. The retailer focused on bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS), but insisted that all its brands incorporate packaging free from all bisphenols.
In the past, Credo has introduced strict product requirements through its Credo Clean Standard and The Dirty List ensuring that none of the products contain harmful chemicals. Credo now believes its products are all free of PFAS, PVC, and bisphenols.
The retailer joined forces with Mob Beauty, Hudson’s Bay, and Element Packaging to establish Pact. It is a not-for-profit recycling program that aims to recycle beauty packaging which is quite small compared to a yoghurt cup. This includes pumps, caps, and squeezable tubes.
As part of this initiative, Credo Beauty installed recycling bins in 10 of its stores and in 20 of its Hudson’s Bay stores in Canada. By the end of 2021, the bins will be set up at all 87 outlets of Hudson’s Bay stores. There will even be a mail-back system via Mob Beauty.
Credo has unveiled a reusable sample jar called REJAR. Created from upcycled green tea fibers, customers can clean their jars and bring them back to the store for a refill, or place them in a recycling bin and earn reward points.
Credo is presently working on smart designs and circular solutions like introducing products in refillable formats, with clear disposal instructions and lifecycle analysis, and reusable packaging ensuring that there is zero landfill waste.
Going forward, the company will be working on phase 2, which will ensure that the packaging doesn’t have more than 50% virgin petrochemical plastic by June 2023.
