The Great British Beauty Clean Up 2026 | Attracta Beauty Awards
- Attracta Courtney
- Mar 2
- 2 min read
We propose it's time to reconsider the practice of waste by participating in the Great British Beauty Clean Up 2026!
Our industry provides immense joy to many people, helping them look and feel their best. However, this should not be at the expense of our beautiful planet. With a shocking 95% of cosmetic packaging being discarded, packaging still poses as one of the largest sustainability challenges for the beauty industry. We invite all our readers to address this by participating in The Great British Beauty Clean Up!
At the Attracta Beauty Awards (ABA), our dedication to "Slow Beauty" includes both the components used in products and the environmental effects of their packaging.
The beauty industry currently produces over 120 billion units of packaging annually. However, new data from the British Beauty Council reveals a sobering reality: 95% of cosmetics packaging is still thrown away, and the beauty sector now accounts for one-third of all landfill waste. This has to stop! This March, we are calling on our community of readers, brands, and followers to join us in supporting the Great British Beauty Clean Up (GBBCU) 2026. This isn't just about recycling; it’s about a cultural shift toward Reuse, Refill, and Rescue.
The Hard Facts for 2026:
The Recycling Paradox: While much of our packaging looks recyclable, 86% of beauty products never reach a recycling facility because they are too small, composite, or complex for standard kerbside collection.
The Bathroom Gap: 56% of UK households still do not recycle their bathroom empties at all.
The Goal: The British Beauty Council aims to shift the current 9% successful recycling rate by providing professional-grade infrastructure for "hard-to-recycle" items like mascara tubes, pumps, and palettes.
How You Can Lead the Change:
1. For Brands:
Close the Loop with MYGroup
We are encouraging our beauty partners and brands to implement the MYGroup x British Beauty Council take-back scheme. These co-branded boxes allow you to collect "unrecyclable" waste, which is then repurposed into school furniture and building materials.
Scan the bar code below to discover how to Use code BBCOMEMBER15 for 15% off your take-back box (reducing the cost to £74.80, including free collection).
2. For Our Followers:
The "Rescue" Ritual Before you recycle, consider if you can rescue.
The 2026 campaign spotlights vital organisations like
Beauty Banks and
Instead of letting surplus stock or discontinued lines perish, we encourage brands to donate to these partners to help combat hygiene poverty across the UK.
3. Locate Your Nearest Drop-Off
Not sure where to take your empties?
Use the British Beauty Council’s Interactive Recycling Map to find designated points at retailers like Boots, H beauty, and Cult Beauty.
Conclusion: In 2026, true luxury is sustainable. By participating in The Great British Beauty Clean Up, we are ensuring that the beauty we create today doesn't become the waste of tomorrow.
Will you join us in the Clean Up? Scan the barcode within the image for all the important details how to engage with this great campain for 2026!
Use the hashtags #GBBCU2026 to show us your progress!
Our future depends on forming productive partnerships that emphasise the importance of considering options before disposing of anything!
