The Waste Problem in the Cosmetics Industry



PRO MAKEUP LAB™ is the world’s first and only refillable makeup palette made from durable, eco-conscious paperboard — not plastic. While most palettes on the market rely on non-recyclable materials and bulky, waste-heavy designs, our system proves that high-performance beauty can be sustainable. We’ve reimagined what a makeup palette can be — lightweight, refillable, and built for the future — without sacrificing quality or style.



The global beauty industry generates over 120 billion units of packaging waste each year — mostly non-recyclable plastic. This includes everything from foundation bottles to makeup palettes, mirrors, magnetic closures, and laminated cardboard, all of which are difficult to separate and recycle. According to Zero Waste Week, this has contributed to over 70% of beauty packaging ending up in landfills, incinerators, or oceans.



Key Facts and Statistics:



  • 120 billion+ units of cosmetic packaging are produced globally each year. (Source: Zero Waste Week)
  • 95% of cosmetic packaging is thrown away, often after limited use. (Source: CleanHub)
  • Traditional makeup palettes are especially wasteful, with many being discarded half-used due to expiration, poor color payoff, or consumer boredom.
  • In the U.S. alone, over 7.9 billion units of rigid plastic were used in beauty packaging in a single year. (Source: TerraCycle)
  • Consumers report regularly discarding 10–30 palettes per year, with many never finished or only partially used.
  • Most palettes contain a mix of materials — plastic, metal, mirrors, magnets, and glues — making them virtually unrecyclable in municipal systems.


Environmental Toll:



Plastic takes over 400 years to break down, and microplastics from cosmetic packaging are now found in oceans, drinking water, and even human blood. The beauty industry is one of the top contributors to single-use plastic waste. Excess production and short product lifecycles in cosmetics create unnecessary emissions from transportation, storage, and disposal.



Why Our Solution Matters



At PRO MAKEUP LAB™ we’re challenging this norm. Our system allows users to reuse magnetic palettes and only replace the color pans they need, which drastically cuts down on plastic waste, overproduction, and landfill contributions. With just two reusable palettes and 160 refillable colors, our system can replace up to 20 traditional palettes per user.



Impact at Scale:



  • 1 million users switching to our system could prevent the creation and disposal of up to 15 million traditional palettes per year.
  • This would eliminate over 5 million pounds of plastic, mirrors, cardboard, and other materials from ending up in landfills.
  • It would also prevent roughly 150,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually — the equivalent of removing over 30,000 cars from the road.
  • In terms of packaging material saved, this would eliminate over 60 million square feet of plastic waste — enough to cover more than 1,000 football fields.


Reducing Product Waste Too:



Beyond packaging, we also reduce product waste. Studies show 20% to 40% of makeup products go unused and are eventually discarded. Our system cuts this waste by up to 70%, because users only reorder what they use. This promotes smarter consumption, less environmental impact, and greater personalization.



A Smarter Way Forward



PRO MAKEUP LAB™ isn’t just about cosmetics. It’s about leading a sustainable shift in how beauty products are created, consumed, and reused. With thoughtful design and a refill-first approach, we empower consumers to reduce waste without compromising on creativity or quality.