Recycling cosmetic packaging

It's possible these days to recycle the vast majority of plastic packaging used in cosmetic containers. Most products bought in Ireland will display the Green Dot, or as we more commonly call it, the Repak logo. What this basically signifies to us as consumers is that this piece of packaging can, and should be recycled. The Green Dot is actually a Pan-European financial participation symbol and means that companies displaying it on their products are committed to protecting the environment by funding the recovery and recycling of packaging waste.

Plastic packaging can also contain mysterious letters and symbols. You might see the following on cosmetic containers:

• PE - Polyethylene
• PET - Polyethylene Terepthalate
• LD/HD - Low density/high density (may be used in a combination of the above)

These can all be recycled.

Products like mascaras and moisturisers often come in card boxes. Of course, card and associated information leaflets can be recycled as well, and you can put them into your paper recycling bin if you have one. The jury seems to be out on cellophane, which is often used as a top layer of clear wrapping - some advice states it can be recycled, and other sources say it can't. I'll update you when I get a definitive answer!