23. Refillable Personal Care Products with Excess Packaging
Refillable personal care products like shampoos and lotions promise to cut waste, but the reality is often less impressive. Many brands package their refills in single-use plastics or non-recyclable pouches, undermining the very sustainability claims they make. This excess packaging can quickly add up, offsetting any benefits gained from reusing bottles. As The Guardian reports, it’s important to assess the entire packaging chain—not just the product inside—when choosing so-called eco-friendly refills.