Waste not; want not – Garnier’s green garden made from beauty waste

The issue of sustainability never seems to be far from the minds of cosmetics manufacturers, and L’Oreal USA’s latest green goal has been realized as its Garnier subsidiary develops the first community garden made from non-recyclable post-consumer beauty waste.

The Garnier Green Garden has been implemented in partnership with recycling firm TerraCycle and GrowNYC, a firm that sets up environmental programs, as part of the beauty brand’s long-term goal to find greener, more sustainable solutions for beauty care products.

"We're thrilled to have created a program that has the capacity to impact the quality of life for an entire community," said David Greenberg, President of Maybelline New York-Garnier-Essie.

"Our commitment to sustainability isn't just about keeping packaging waste from personal care and cosmetics products out of landfills, but it's also about reusing that waste and providing a foundation for greener living."

The beauty waste to be used was collected by Garnier's Personal Care and Beauty Brigade Program, a free fundraising effort that pays for every piece of waste collected and returned to TerraCycle.

Waste not, want not

The collected beauty waste, which would otherwise be destined for landfills, consists of non-recyclable hair care, skin care and cosmetic packaging that have since been recycled by TerraCycle to create many of the plastic components being installed in the new garden.

The garden is located at 237 East 104th Street, and is estimated to yield 1,500 pounds of vegetables a year.

Garnier spokesperson Bridget Moynahan was presented for the ground-breaking ceremony and activities, as well as representatives from Garnier, L'Oreal USA, TerraCycle, and GrowNYC.

"We are pleased to partner with our like-minded friends at Garnier who are providing the support needed to restore this community hub for all Harlem residents,” says Marcel Van Ooyen, Executive Director of GrowNYC.

"Through the Personal Care and Beauty Brigade, the garden will be a permanent testament to the impact recycling can have on a community and in our world," adds Tom Szaky, TerraCycle CEO.