Overconsumption has been eroding the health of our planet for years—but the zero-waste movement is fighting back.

Companies of all shapes and sizes are strategizing new ways to eliminate unnecessary waste across their supply chains, with an overall goal to reduce environmental impact. The beauty world is currently experimenting with a plethora of zero-waste initiatives, including upcycled ingredients, reducing product waste, and creating refillable products that cut back on one-and-done packaging (The Upcycled Beauty Company).

Upcycling—which refers to the reuse of recycled materials in products and packaging—is a key player in the zero-waste movement.

As beauty and skincare brands worldwide look for ways to reduce their environmental footprint, some unexpected innovations are appearing in ingredient lists. From anti-hair loss products formulated with coffee berry extract, to mangosteen fruit peels packed with cosmetic benefits, many of the vitamins and micronutrients present in upcycled materials are found to be just as effective as traditional ingredients (Cosmetics Design).

Biotechnology is already being used in food and beverage markets, as alternatives to items like meat, seafood, honey and palm oil are being developed as lab-grown naturals.

In the fashion industry, textiles are being crafted with lab-grown cotton, with animal-free mycelium leather on the horizon. Similarly, biotech offers innovative solutions on the horizon for beauty—which will be especially important as consumers’ desire for a transparent path-to-purchase grows, giving purchasers confidence that their chosen product has a low carbon footprint (Beautystreams).

Is the multi-step skincare routine on the outs? Many believe it’s time to wave goodbye to the over-stocked #shelfie.

Studies show that adults aged 18-44 are more likely than average to believe that multi-step skincare routines are wasteful—which explains why 46% of this group are interested in multipurpose facial skincare products. This shift to double and triple-duty products comes in the wake of minimalism’s rise, with sustainability top of mind and zero waste the goal—so it’s no mystery why consumers’ interest is piqued by do-it-all products (Mintel).