Earth Day 2025: 7 clever ways to recycle and reuse your empty beauty containers

Creative ways to reuse beauty containers: Small serum dropper bottles or tiny moisturiser pots are perfect for travel. Fill them with shampoo, lotion, or sunscreen the next time you plan a travel (Image: Canva)

Earth Day, marked each year on April 22, encourages people everywhere to take action for a healthier planet. It is a time to reflect on how your everyday choices impact the planet. And if you’re someone who buys beauty products at the drop of a hat, chances are you’ve collected a bunch of gorgeous jars, tubes, and bottles that usually get tossed once they’re empty. All of that waste can quickly add up.

But you can avoid harming the planet by reusing and recycling those those used containers. So, this Earth Day, take a little time to give your empties a second life.

Here are 7 creative, easy, and sustainable ways to reuse your beauty containers, and do your bit for the planet:

Also read | Skin care and beauty tips: 5 DIY recipes to make your own beauty products at home

• Turn glass jars into chic storage: Clean out the glass jar and use it to store cotton pads, hairpins, or even spices in the kitchen. Peel off the label, give it a good wash, and maybe even spray-paint the lid for a Pinterest-worthy upgrade.

• Refill, refill, refill: Many top brands have refill or return programmes. Some even offer a free lipstick through their campaign or recycling program when you return certain empty containers.

• Make your own travel-sized essentials: Those small serum dropper bottles or tiny moisturiser pots are perfect for travel. Fill them with shampoo, lotion, or sunscreen the next time you plan a travel. Use a label maker or washi tape to label what’s what.

• Repurpose lipstick tubes for DIY solid perfume or lip balm: Scrape out the remnants of your favourite lipstick, melt it down with a little coconut oil or beeswax, and create a tinted lip balm in the same container. You can also use these tubes to make DIY solid perfume sticks using essential oils.

• Use pump bottles for homemade cleaners or beauty DIYs: Empty foundation or serum pumps are great for homemade hand sanitiser, facial mists, or setting sprays. Wash thoroughly (run warm water through the pump) before reusing.

• Organise with old mascara wands and brushes: Clean mascara wands are amazing for grooming eyebrows, separating lashes, or even cleaning small crevices like keyboard keys or jewelry.

• Decorate your vanity with reused perfume bottles: Some perfume bottles are too pretty to toss. Use them as tiny bud vases, or even string a few together for an artistic centerpiece. Fill them with water tinted with a drop of food colouring for a dreamy, decorative effect.