Introduction: Our Sustainability Journey
At This is Gel, we’re committed to more than just beautiful nails—we’re redefining what beauty can be. Our recent project with Zero Waste Scotland and Ricardo AEA Ltd was a monumental step in our journey towards sustainability. Here’s an in-depth look at what we accomplished, why it matters, and how it’s shaping the future of our brand.
The Project: Purpose and Scope
In early 2024, we embarked on a collaborative project funded by Zero Waste Scotland, with consultancy from Ricardo. The mission? To explore sustainable alternatives for gel nail polish packaging and introduce circular economy principles into our business. With traditional nail polish bottles often destined for landfill, our goal was to pioneer solutions that minimise environmental impact without compromising product quality.
The project took six months and included the following key objectives:
Assessing alternative packaging materials that align with our eco-conscious values.
Designing a bottle return and reuse scheme to reduce waste.
Investigating end-of-life solutions for our packaging to ensure maximum recyclability.
Understanding the environmental impact of gel polish manufacturing, packaging, and disposal.
Our Approach: Collaborating for Change
The project involved several key steps:
Legislative and Industry Context
We started by examining Scotland’s circular economy goals and relevant packaging regulations, such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme and the Plastic Packaging Tax. These policies emphasize reducing waste and increasing recyclability, providing a framework for our ambitions.
Exploring Packaging Alternatives
Through a Multi-Criteria Assessment (MCA), Ricardo evaluated potential materials, including glass, aluminum, and rigid plastics. Each material was assessed for durability, recyclability, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with gel polish.
Glass emerged as a strong candidate for its recyclability and premium feel but posed challenges in weight and fragility.
Aluminium offered infinite recyclability and lightweight benefits but required testing for compatibility with gel polish ingredients.
Rigid plastics, while less desirable, were considered for short-term solutions due to their practicality and durability.
End-of-Life Solutions
A major challenge was addressing the disposal of used bottles, which often contain chemical residues. Ricardo engaged waste management providers like TerraCycle and EnviroWaste to explore innovative recycling solutions. While promising, these options highlighted the need for further collaboration and investment to make them viable for small businesses like ours.
Designing a Bottle Return Scheme
Inspired by a return-from-home model, we explored how customers could return used bottles for cleaning and refilling. Ricardo provided a detailed process flow and a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to identify and mitigate risks in implementing this scheme. Key considerations included cleaning challenges, customer incentives, and logistical scalability.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Ricardo conducted a cradle-to-grave review of gel polish, examining its lifecycle from production to disposal. This highlighted areas for improvement, including sourcing local materials, reducing packaging waste, and promoting proper disposal methods.
The Discoveries: What We Learned
The project was a treasure trove of insights, shaping both our short-term actions and long-term vision:
Packaging Innovations: Alternative bottle materials show great potential as an innovative and sustainable option for the nail industry.
Customer Engagement: Incentivising bottle returns, such as discounts or loyalty rewards, is key to the success of reuse schemes.
Collaboration Opportunities: Partnering with waste management providers can unlock creative solutions but requires transparency and cost feasibility.
Educational Importance: Educating customers about proper disposal and the environmental impact of gel polish is as critical as the product itself.
The Road Ahead: Turning Insights into Action
This project has laid the groundwork for transformative change at This is Gel. Here’s what’s next:
Short-Term Actions: We’re testing lab-grade cleaning solutions for our reuse scheme and finalising a packaging format for our next product line.
Medium-Term Goals: Launching our bottle return scheme and expanding partnerships with waste management providers.
Long-Term Vision: Conducting a full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to guide future decisions and ensure we remain at the forefront of sustainable beauty.
Final Thoughts: A Collective Effort
Our collaboration with Zero Waste Scotland and Ricardo was more than a project—it was a partnership in innovation and responsibility. As we integrate these findings into our business, we invite you to join us in creating a more sustainable future for beauty.
Thank You for Supporting Change
To everyone who believes in the power of conscious choices, thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we’re proving that beauty and sustainability can go hand in hand. 💅🌍
Stay Connected
Follow our updates on social media and visit our website for more information about our sustainability efforts.
This is Gel.— Championing sustainable change in the beauty industry.
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