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If Cloud 9 Naturally is committed to being a natural, eco-friendly company, why do we still use plastic packaging? The answer is more complex than it seems. The cosmetics industry is facing a packaging crisis, and there is no single perfect solution—only trade-offs.
Many companies engage in greenwashing—marketing packaging as sustainable when, in reality, it still has negative environmental consequences. Let's break down the most common packaging options and why we use a mix of them.
Plastic is bad—there's no denying it. It contributes to pollution, harms wildlife, and takes centuries to break down. So why is it still widely used?
✅ Pros of Plastic:
Lightweight = Lower fuel consumption for shipping
Affordable = Lower costs for customers
Durable = Won’t break in transit
Easy to source in a variety of shapes and sizes
Some plastics are recyclable
❌ Cons of Plastic:
Environmental disaster: Toxic to produce, hard to degrade
Low recycling rates: Many municipalities don’t recycle plastic
Microplastics: Harmful to wildlife and human health
Our Approach: We only use plastic where necessary and opt for recycled plastic whenever possible.
Many believe aluminum is greener than glass, but dig deeper, and the reality is more complicated.
✅ Pros of Aluminum:
Lightweight = Lower shipping emissions
Recyclable (but only ~50% is actually recycled)
Durable & non-breakable
❌ Cons of Aluminum:
Mining impact: Bauxite mining destroys ecosystems
Aluminum leaching: Can enter products over time
Lined with plastic: Many aluminum containers have BPA-based linings
The Verdict: While aluminum reduces plastic use, it still has major environmental and health concerns.
Paper sounds great—it’s biodegradable and recyclable. But did you know that producing paper is one of the most polluting industries in the world?
✅ Pros of Paper:
Biodegradable & recyclable
Lightweight & renewable
❌ Cons of Paper:
High energy cost: Paper production is the 5th largest energy consumer worldwide
Deforestation: Up to 8 billion trees are cut annually
Water waste: Producing 1 kg of paper requires 324 liters of water
Limited use: Can’t hold water-based products
The Verdict: Paper is not a practical option for most cosmetic packaging.
Glass is often seen as the gold standard, but is it really the best option?
✅ Pros of Glass:
Fully recyclable (if facilities exist in your area)
No harmful chemical leaching
Elegant & reusable
❌ Cons of Glass:
Heavy = More fuel for shipping
Fragile = More protective packaging needed (paper, bubble wrap)
Sand mining: The world is running out of silica sand, leading to severe environmental damage
Limited recycling options: Many cities no longer accept glass recycling due to cost
The Verdict: While glass is better than plastic, it still has major downsides.
There is no perfect solution. Every packaging material has its own environmental trade-offs.
✅ We use a mix of packaging based on:
We also prioritize recycled materials wherever possible to reduce our footprint.
We are always looking for better, truly eco-friendly alternatives. Until then, we encourage our customers to:
1️⃣ Recycle whenever possible
2️⃣ Reuse packaging (glass jars, aluminum tins, etc.)
3️⃣ Support small businesses working towards sustainability
The bottom line: No packaging is perfect, but being transparent about the pros and cons helps us all make better choices.
🔎 Want to learn more? Check out these resources:
📌 Why the World is Running Out of Sand (BBC)
📌 Human Rights Impact of Bauxite Mining
📌 Environmental Impact of Paper Production
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