Plastic cosmetic cases can be manufactured with various types of plastic and often include mirrors, magnets and sponge applicators, hindering their recyclability. For context, every year there are approximately 900 million plastic lipstick cases sold - a vast amount of packaging that is destined for landfill.
There are many alternatives to plastic to be considered including glass, aluminium and innovative, home-compostable options. Check that the manufacturer hasn’t used any linings (usually made from plastic) as these will inhibit the recycling process. If plastic must be used, opt for a high PCR (post-consumer recycled) content, and look for mono-material cosmetic cases as these tend to be more easily recycled than mixed-material. Almost all plastic products display the recycling symbol of a triangle formed by three circling arrows. The number in the triangle (1-7) indicates the type of plastic and its recyclability in each geographical area.