According to A Plastic Planet’s “Sack the Sachet” campaign, beauty and personal care companies worldwide produce 122 billion plastic single-use sample sachets each year for products like shampoo, moisturiser and perfume. These sachets are uncollectible and unrecyclable, and sometimes thrown away by the consumer without even being used – making them completely pointless!
Samples are incredibly effective for boosting sales or for those with allergies who need to try before they buy, for example. Brands should opt for sustainable options such as the Tubex Monotube which is made from 100% aluminum and recyclable. In store, staff can sit customers down to try various products, such as foundations, to demonstrate colour and texture. Retailers can also encourage customers to bring their own reusable pot to fill with a small amount of product and try at home.