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Product Waste Resulting from Insufficient Emptiability of Cosmetic Packaging and Its Economic and Environmental Implications

Author

Listed:
  • Michelle Klein

    (Institute of Packaging and Resource Management, Department Applied Life Sciences, FH Campus Wien, University of Applied Sciences, 1100 Vienna, Austria)

  • Manfred Tacker

    (Circular Analytics TK GmbH, 1010 Vienna, Austria)

  • Silvia Apprich

    (Institute of Packaging and Resource Management, Department Applied Life Sciences, FH Campus Wien, University of Applied Sciences, 1100 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

The cosmetic industry is an important economic sector with expected growth in the upcoming years and a noticeable trend towards sustainable products and product packaging options. A critical aspect of packaging sustainability is the amount of product residue left in emptied containers, as this contributes to both economic losses for consumers and environmental waste. In this study, the emptiability of different packaging systems for shampoo, hair gel, hand cream, body lotion, face cream, eye cream, and serum is assessed by developing novel testing methods. The results show a significant dependence of emptiability on the packaging system and product properties. While jars and airless pump dispensers retain less than 1% of product residues for hand cream products, pump dispensers’ values of up to 26% were found. These results underline the importance of optimal packaging choices adapted to different products to avoid economic losses for the consumer, environmental impact due to wasted products, and a negative influence on the recyclability of packaging and quality of the recyclate. Manufacturers can use these insights to design packaging that not only reduces leftover product but also aligns with circular economy principles, ultimately lowering environmental impacts and improving consumer satisfaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Michelle Klein & Manfred Tacker & Silvia Apprich, 2025. "Product Waste Resulting from Insufficient Emptiability of Cosmetic Packaging and Its Economic and Environmental Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:1056-:d:1578706
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Konstantin Schinkel & Bastian Küppers & Sven Reichenbach & Teresa Rohrmeier & Kajetan Müller & Tanja Fell & Sven Sängerlaub, 2023. "Amount of Fill Product Residues in Plastic Packagings for Recycling," Waste, MDPI, vol. 1(4), pages 1-18, October.
    2. Hanna Kröhnert & Matthias Stucki, 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment of a Plant-Based, Regionally Marketed Shampoo and Analysis of Refill Options," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-21, July.
    3. Michelle Klein & Charlotte Werner & Manfred Tacker & Silvia Apprich, 2024. "Influence of Packaging Design on Technical Emptiability of Dairy Products and Implications on Sustainability through Food Waste Reduction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-19, July.
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