How to recycle expired (and non) beauty products

Avoiding waste is the first rule also from the point of view of cosmetics. Disposing creams, make-up products, but also deodorants and hairsprays, requires little attention for a correct disposal: it is absolutely not enough to throw them in the undifferentiated. In addition, to be avoided in the absolute way also the gesture of throwing any cosmetic product, even the smallest, in the sink or toilet because you risk doing enormous damage. These products, in fact, contain petrochemicals that can contaminate groundwater. So, where do you throw a cosmetic once expired? Each of us has asked himself at least once this question when he found himself having to dispose of a mascara that once opened gave off a bad smell or in front of a foundation that has changed color and composition. In these cases it is essential to pay attention to the expiry date of beauty products in order not to risk irritations and skin rashes, but it is equally important to dispose of them correctly.

In fact, even when it comes to products that have the words "ecobio", "vegetable" or "organic" on the label, it is always better to adopt a prudent behavior, as it is not said that the composition is biodegradable in the environment. Special attention should also be paid to the packaging with the mirror: if you can separate it from the packaging, the two components can be disposed of separately, but if you cannot remove the mirror inside the packaging you will have to dispose of it in the undifferentiated waste.

That said, let's see then how to properly allocate the containers and packaging of different cosmetics to separate collection: starting with order, jars of moisturizing cream and deodorants sticks must be cleaned up and thrown in the separate collection of glass or plastic, as well as containers of detergent products, which are usually bottles made of those materials, of which are also often composed the packages of hairspray, hair foam and spray deodorants, which must never be thrown in the undifferentiated waste because they are potentially polluting. In this case it is necessary to check the labels on the containers indicating if a product is toxic, harmful, corrosive or dangerous for the environment because in this case they must be disposed at the proper ecological islands. Containers of hair dyes, on the other hand, must be placed in the appropriate bins for the collection of expired medications or in the appropriate containers found at the ecological stations, together with the bottles of enamels. 

And if you want to recycle, the ideas are really many: a palette of eye shadows or eye shadow powder, for example, can be crushed and used to create drawings and paintings by both children and adults. You can also create decorations and artistic works with lipsticks, to be spread on paper or canvas and fixed with a lacquer or vinyl glue. Expired nail polish can be an excellent ally for coloring small hair accessories such as hair clips and tweezers, but also for decorating vases and glass objects. The cleansing milk instead will prove to be a great help for cleaning bags, sofas and leather shoes that will return to be perfectly clean after rubbing them with a cotton pad and cleansing milk. Finally, the oils used to nourish skin and hair can be used on a cloth to polish wooden furniture.