Podcast 268: Recyclable, but not recycled – The impossible moment we’re all in

Right now, we’re facing an impossible moment in beauty. Brands are under pressure to create fully recyclable packaging. Consumers are expected to recycle correctly, often with confusing or incomplete information. And regulators are pushing for urgent change, without enough funding or infrastructure in place to support it.

Everyone is trying, but the system isn’t ready, and no one is winning.

In this week’s Green Beauty Conversations episode, host Lorraine Dallmeier, biologist, Chartered Environmentalist and CEO of Formula Botanica, breaks down the messy and confusing state of recycling in the beauty industry.

Following on from last week’s interview episode with Renata Daudt, this solo commentary explores the uncomfortable but necessary truth: legislation like the EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is coming – and it’s forcing rapid change that the industry is not yet equipped to handle.

From eco-modulated fees to the limitations of local recycling systems, Lorraine examines why recyclability isn’t enough and why we should privilege circularity. If you’ve ever stood in front of a recycling bin unsure of what to do or felt frustrated by the mixed messages around sustainable packaging, this episode is a must-listen.

“We’re in an impossible moment right now. But we’re in it together. And if we can hold that tension – of progress and imperfection – then we can build something better for beauty.” — Lorraine Dallmeier

Key takeaways:

• Recyclable doesn’t mean recycled. Just because packaging is technically recyclable doesn’t mean it will be. Many local systems still can’t process complex materials or coloured plastics. Lorraine unpacks how this mismatch between design and infrastructure is letting everyone down.
• The PPWR is creating chaos, but also momentum. The EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is a game-changer, mandating that all packaging must be genuinely recyclable by 2030. But the law is ahead of the infrastructure, and that gap is putting pressure on brands, retailers and consumers alike.
• Economic penalties are pushing change. Eco-modulated fees will make brands pay more to use packaging that’s hard to recycle. This financial push is a critical step towards making better packaging decisions, but it also highlights how far we still have to go.
• Confused consumers, failing systems. Even the most committed eco-conscious consumers are struggling to navigate recycling labels and bin rules. Lorraine points to the need for clearer guidance and more honest communication from brands.
• Don’t let recyclability distract from real sustainability. Lorraine warns that if the industry focuses solely on making things recyclable, it risks missing the bigger opportunity: reuse, refill, and packaging reduction. Real circularity is about much more than chasing the recycle symbol.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of the Formula Botanica Green Beauty Conversations podcast. If you enjoyed listening, please share, subscribe and review this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube so that more people can enjoy the show. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Lorraine Dallmeier

Lorraine Dallmeier is a Biologist, Chartered Environmentalist and the CEO of Formula Botanica, the award-winning online organic cosmetic science school. Read more about Lorraine and the Formula Botanica Team.