M·A·C Cosmetics has announced its new and improved "Back-To-M·A·C" takeback program.
Back-To-M·A·C was created in 1990 at a time when recycling and minding your impact on the planet was not embedded in the national conversation. Since most cosmetics packaging weren’t—and still aren’t—able to be recycled curbside, the brand founders took matters into their own hands, coming up with a solution to recycle M·A·C packaging. That’s how Back-To-M·A·C was born. It’s made a difference. Last year alone, more than 340,000 pounds of empty M·A·C containers were processed in the U.S. That’s the equivalent of 9,300,000 lipsticks.
Fast forward 32 years and recycling is an everyday practice and new technologies are available to brands that can significantly improve sustainability practices. M·A·C made the choice to evolve Back-To-M·A·C and set the iconic program on a renewed path for greater action and impact for change. Here’s what’s happening:
- Improving recyclability: M·A·C is excited to announce a partnership with Close the Loop in North America. The end-to-end solutions provider from design and manufacturing will process the empties returned back to M·A·C counters, stores and online from consumers to be recycled or manufactured into new products. Close the Loop will use its advanced recycling technology to recycle a high percentage of what’s returned, including materials that are typically not recyclable through municipal streams. The remaining waste will be converted into energy via waste-to-energy technology, providing a zero waste to landfill solution. It is estimated up to 300,000 – 500,000 kilograms of cosmetics will be collected each year.
- Reducing waste form our oceans: M·A·C is supporting Plastics for Change, a trusted source of fair-trade verified recycled plastic with an initial $100,000 donation. This donation will enable the collection of over 550k pounds of plastic (equivalent to 12.5MM plastic bottles) while supporting hundreds of plastic collectors in their communities.