How to Recycle Makeup and Beauty Packaging in Australia
The average Australian uses around 10–12 personal care products a day. Multiply that by 365 days and millions of people, and you start to understand the scale of beauty packaging waste in this country. Most of it ends up in landfill — not because people don’t care, but because the rules are genuinely confusing.
This guide breaks it down clearly: what BRAD accepts, what can go in your yellow bin, and what to do with the tricky stuff in between.
Why most beauty packaging can’t go in the yellow bin
Beauty packaging is designed for aesthetics and shelf appeal, not recyclability. The biggest issues:
- Multi-material construction. A foundation pump contains a metal spring inside a plastic barrel. A mascara tube combines plastic and nylon bristles. Lip gloss tubes mix clear plastic with rubber applicators. Standard recycling facilities can’t separate these.
- Product residue. Even a small amount of remaining product can contaminate an entire batch of recycling at kerbside facilities.
- Size. Small packaging — lip balm tubes, eyeliner pencils, mini bottles — falls through sorting machinery and ends up in landfill regardless.
- Mixed plastics. Beauty packaging uses a wide variety of plastic types (PET, HDPE, PP, PVC) that require different processing streams.
What BRAD accepts: beauty and personal care
The BRAD Program was built specifically to handle the hard-to-recycle items that the yellow bin can’t process. Here’s what BRAD currently accepts in the beauty and personal care category:
Oral care
- Toothpaste tubes
- Floss containers
- Old plastic toothbrushes
- Electric toothbrush heads
Skincare and body care
- Lotion bottles, tubes, dispensers, and jars
- Face soap dispensers and tubes
- Medical ointment tubes
- Hair gel tubes and caps
- Hair paste plastic jars and caps
- Shaving foam tubes (tubes only — no aerosol cans)
Colour cosmetics and makeup
- Lipstick, lip balm, and lip gloss tubes
- Mascara tubes
- Eyeliner pencils and cases
- Eyeshadow tubes
- Concealer tubes and sticks
@lottiedalziel No two boxes are the same and they keep our sorters busy. How it works: People collect their hard to recycle items like blister packs, bottle top lids, beauty products, plastic bread tags, and soy sauce fishies (full list on the website). They fill up a shoebox and then send it to us in the post using our label system. We receive all of the boxes at our hub at Central station then sort and separate them into the different resource streams. We work with our Australian micro recycling network to have them recycled onshore and kept out of landfill ♻️💪 #recycling #recycled #sustainableliving ♬ Dance No More - Harry Styles
What BRAD does NOT accept in beauty
It’s just as important to know what BRAD can’t take. The following beauty items are not accepted:
- Perfume bottles (glass or plastic)
- Nail polish bottles and nail polish remover bottles
- Makeup brushes
- Razors and razor blades (as of 31 January 2024)
- Aerosol cans (including deodorant and dry shampoo)
- Deodorant paste tins
- Sponges and applicator pads
For the most up-to-date list, always check what BRAD does and doesn’t accept before sending items in. This Digital - How to BRAD Downloadable guide has an up-to-date printable page with everything that we do and don't accept.
What CAN go in your kerbside recycling bin
Some beauty items are genuinely kerbside-recyclable. As a general guide:
- Large glass bottles (toner, facial oil over 150ml) can often go in your yellow bin. Remove pumps and lids first.
- Large hard plastic bottles over 150ml (shampoo, conditioner, body wash) are often accepted if clean and empty. Check your council guidelines.
- Cardboard outer packaging (boxes, inserts, paper bags) — straight into your kerbside paper and cardboard recycling.
- When in doubt, check Recycling Near You for your specific council area.
Common beauty items: where they go
| Item | Kerbside bin? | BRAD? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mascara tube | No | Yes | Empty and dry |
| Lipstick tube | No | Yes | Any brand |
| Toothpaste tube | No | Yes | Squeeze out and flatten |
| Plastic toothbrush | No | Yes | Any brand |
| Shampoo bottle (large) | Often yes | Yes | Check council; BRAD always an option |
| Perfume bottle (glass) | No | No | Remove pump before yellow bin |
| Nail polish bottle | No | No | Hazardous — check council HHW program |
| Aerosol can | No | No | Completely empty cans to council HHW |
| Cardboard box | Yes | No | Kerbside paper/cardboard recycling |
| Makeup brush | No | No | Donate if good condition; otherwise landfill |
How to use BRAD for your beauty recycling
Step-by-step guide
- Purchase a BRAD Pre-Paid Label. Labels are $15 for up to 2kg, or $30 for up to 4kg. This includes postage and the cost of recycling your items.
- Check your inbox. Within 2 hours, you’ll receive an email with a form to fill in. (If it doesn’t arrive, email info@banish.com.au.) You’ll need your order number from your purchase confirmation.
- Fill in the form and download your prepaid label. When you’re ready to send, complete the form and print or save your label.
- Pack and post. Attach the label to your box and pop it in a red Australia Post box or drop it at your local post office.
- Track your parcel. You can track it all the way to Banish. Your BRAD voucher is sent automatically — no need to include anything inside the box.
BRAD Sydney drop-off: If you’re in Sydney, you can skip the postage and drop items directly at the Banish Sustainability Hub at Sydney’s Central Station. Open Tuesday to Friday, 9am–5pm. Drop-off is $10 per 2kg of items.
@lottiedalziel Tell that to our 80 boxes a day 😌♻️ #recycling #founder #sustainableliving #climateaction ♬ original sound - | Nikki Rossi |
Tips for a lower-waste beauty routine
Recycling is important, but reducing packaging in the first place is even better. Here’s how to buy smarter:
- Choose refillable or concentrated formats. Many sustainable Australian brands now offer refill pouches, concentrated tablets, or bare (packaging-free) formats. Less packaging means less to deal with at the end of life.
- Look for certified brands. Brands with B Corporation certification or GECA (Good Environmental Choice Australia) certification have been independently verified for environmental performance.
- Buy from brands that take packaging back. A growing number of Australian sustainable brands have designed end-of-life solutions into their products. Check the Banish brand directory for brands vetted to meet Banish’s sustainability credentials.
- Consolidate your BRAD box. Collect beauty items over a few months to get the most value from your postage label. A 2kg box fits a lot of small beauty packaging.
What happens to beauty packaging after BRAD collects it?
BRAD works with specialist Australian recyclers to process each material type. Plastic components are sorted by polymer type and reprocessed into raw plastic materials for manufacturing. Metal components are separated and smelted. The goal is to keep materials in circulation — turning your old mascara tubes into something new, rather than sending them to landfill.
Australia currently recycles less than 14% of all plastic, according to the Australian Plastics Recycling Survey. Programs like BRAD are filling the gap for plastics that the mainstream system wasn’t designed to handle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you recycle makeup packaging in Australia?
Yes, but not through your kerbside bin. Most makeup packaging requires a specialist recycling program. BRAD by Banish accepts a wide range of beauty packaging by post from anywhere in Australia, or by drop-off at the Banish Sustainability Hub in Sydney.
Does BRAD accept all beauty packaging?
No. BRAD accepts items like mascara tubes, lipstick tubes, toothpaste tubes, lotion bottles, and concealer sticks, but does not accept perfume bottles, nail polish, makeup brushes, or aerosol cans. Always check the current accepted items list here before sending.
Can mascara tubes be recycled?
Yes. BRAD accepts mascara tubes as part of its beauty packaging recycling program. Make sure the tube is empty before sending.
What can I do with empty perfume bottles?
BRAD does not accept perfume bottles. Check with your local council, or look for hazardous glass collection programs in your area.
How much does BRAD cost for beauty packaging?
A BRAD pre-paid label costs $15 for up to 2kg, or $30 for up to 4kg. This covers both postage and recycling. Sydney residents can drop off at Central Station for $10 per 2kg.