Elle Canada: How M·A·C Championed the Take-Back Program in Canada

Aug 19, 2021 9:30 AM ET
different MAC makeup containers

Originally published by Elle Canada

Fact: Beauty products are notoriously difficult to recycle. Made up of multiple materials and small pieces, the majority of cosmetic items aren’t accepted by traditional recycling streams, ultimately winding up in a landfill. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean you have to trash your cosmetic empties. Thirty years ago, Canadian-born beauty brand M∙A∙C came up with its own way to responsibly recycle its products. Instead of tossing your empties, you can give them a second life with the Back-to-M∙A∙C program.

One of the first initiatives of its kind, the Back-To-M∙A∙C recycling program takes back your used-up M∙A∙C beauty products and transforms them into new goods, operating on a closed-loop model in Canada. That means your empties go on to become new M∙A∙C compacts without wasting any material. Whatever can’t be recycled ends up being converted into energy, using a unique waste-to-energy technology. The result: an overall reduced environmental impact and a more renewable approach to cosmetic packaging. 

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