Plastic Free July Beauty Guide: Less Plastic, More Purpose

Plastic Free July is more than just a challenge, it’s a global movement. One that invites us all to rethink our consumption habits and reduce our reliance on single-use plastics. At Wild & Cruelty Free, we believe beauty should never come at the cost of the planet or the animals we share it with.

And yet, the beauty industry is one of the biggest contributors to plastic waste. From mascara tubes and microbeads to unrecyclable pump bottles and shrink wrap, plastic is everywhere in conventional beauty packaging and most of it ends up in landfill, or worse, our oceans.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

This Plastic Free July, we’re spotlighting the brands and products in our store that are rewriting the rules and proving that beauty can be both kind and conscious.

 

Why Plastic-Free Packaging Matters

Only 9% of plastic ever produced has been recycled. The rest ends up polluting ecosystems, harming wildlife or breaking down into microplastics that enter our food, water and bodies.

Plastic packaging, especially the hard-to-recycle types used in beauty, often contains glues, dyes, mirrors, foams or mixed materials that make them difficult or impossible to recycle.

By choosing brands that use aluminium, glass, tin or ceramic, we help shift demand away from wasteful packaging and support a more circular, sustainable future.

Why aluminium? Unlike plastic, aluminium is infinitely recyclable. It retains its quality no matter how many times it’s recycled, and it uses far less energy to be processed compared to producing new plastic.

 

Plastic-Free Beauty Products at Wild & Cruelty Free

At Wild & Cruelty Free we’re proud to stock a growing selection of plastic-free and low-waste products designed with the planet in mind:

Ere Perez Rice Powder Bronzer and Corn Setting Powder

Ere Perez created a world-first refillable makeup-wheel made entirely from 100% aluminium. It is free from glues, magnets, mirrors or plastic making it beautifully designed and endlessly recyclable.

Shop Ere Perez Rice Power Bronzer
Shop Ere Perez Corn Setting Powder

 

Ere Perez Jojoba Eye Pencils & Lip Liners

100% plastic free with a sleek aluminium lid, proof that performance and sustainability can go hand in hand.

Shop Ere Perez Jojoba Eye Pencils
Shop Ere Perez Acai Lip Liners

 

Wanderlightly Naked Balm & Immerse Bath Soak

Housed in reusable glass jars with aluminium lids, the Wanderlightly Naked Balm and Immerse Bath Soak jars are perfect for repurposing once empty. Think spice jars, hair pins, buttons or DIY balm storage.

Shop Wanderlightly Naked Balm
Shop Wanderlightly Immerse Bath Soak

 

Recreation Beauty Eau de Parfum

Luxury without waste. These perfumes come in recyclable glass bottles with aluminium lids, and the protective mould inside their boxes is made from sustainable bamboo, not foam or plastic like you might find in conventional perfumes. Another world first!

Shop Recreation Beauty Clean Perfumes Range

 

Inky Tattoo Salve

Packaged in a reusable, eco-friendly tin that’s as beautiful as it is functional. Once empty, refill it with balm, pins or take it on-the-go.

Shop Inky Tattoo Salve

 

South Scent Soy Wax Candles

The gift that keeps on giving. These hand-poured candles come in ceramic jars that can be reused as mini planters or trinket dishes after use.

Shop South Scent Soy Wax Candles

 

Small Swaps, Collective Impact

Swapping one product may not feel like much but when multiplied across communities, countries and continents, the impact is real. Every conscious purchase helps shape a future where our oceans are clearer, our landfills lighter and our beauty routines a little bit kinder.

This Plastic Free July, take a moment to reflect on what you use and what you throw away. Even one mindful switch can set a powerful ripple in motion.

 

Share in the comments one plastic free swap you are going to make in your beauty routine and help inspire others to do the same.