A Unique Idea in Eco-Friendly Lipstick

Eco-friendly is defined as "intended or perceived to have no harmful effect on the natural environment and its inhabitants" (Ecofriendly). The availability of eco-friendly products has increased noticeably in the past few years. Consumers can purchase a number of products that are environmentally friendly, such as food, furniture, clothing, pet products, and flooring, to name a few. Consumers even have the option to stay at eco-friendly hotels while traveling.

Eco-friendly makeup is not a new concept. However, the term eco-friendly encompasses a wide range of business practices within the cosmetic industry. For example, companies that use green product manufacturing practices often market those products as eco-friendly. This can range from using green electricity in their stores to using wind power in the manufacturing process. Other companies sell makeup products that are made with only natural, or botanical, ingredients. This is purported to be better for both the consumer and the environment. Finally the type of packaging used for cosmetic products is another determination of whether that product is considered eco-friendly. Environmentally responsible companies use packaging that is biodegradable. Some popular companies that market eco-friendly makeup include Aveda, The Body Shop, Burt's Bees, and Aubrey Organics.

A New Idea in Eco-Friendly Lipstick

Cargo Cosmetics has developed a new and unique concept in eco-friendly lipstick. The company has a new line of lipstick called Plant Love. This collection offers 12 different shades that are made with a botanical formula containing jojoba and shea butter. This lipstick is better for the environment because it does not contain mineral oil or petroleum based ingredients.

The most distinctive aspect of the new Plant Love line from Cargo is the packaging, which is made from recycled material. The lipstick tube is made of polyactic acid (PLA), which is a corn based plastic that can be safely composted. It is reported to be 100% renewable within 100 days. In addition to being made from a renewable resource, the corn based plastic is greenhouse-gas-neutral, which is reported to help reduce global warming. This is much more environmentally friendly than the traditional petroleum based plastic used in many other lipstick tubes. The Cargo Cosmetics Plant Love lipstick tube is the very first in the industry to use PLA.

Plant Love lipstick comes in a box that is completely biodegradable. Cargo Cosmetics has designed a box that is made from biodegradable material that is embedded with wildflower seeds. Instead of throwing the box in the trash, and adding to the problems associated with landfills, you can plant the box. Simply "moisten and plant it to grow your own wildflowers" (Cargo Plant Love). This is a brilliant new concept. Hopefully, other cosmetic companies will soon follow suit.

References

"Cargo Plant Love". Cargo Cosmetics website. URL: http://www.cargocosmetics.com/plantlove.html

"Ecofriendly". MSN Encarta website. URL: http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861607424/ecofriendly.html