The Beauty Loop

Refillable Jar and Cap / Source: Papacks

BeautyEuropeFire-ResistantFood GradeHempLow-CarbonMoulded FibreNorth AmericaPackagingPaperRecyclableSealableThe Beauty Loop

WHAT WE SAY:

Refills are the way forward for beauty, but there is one problem: most refill solutions reduce plastic waste but do not eliminate it entirely. Making less plastic is good but we’re aiming for zero, which is why The Beauty Loop by Papacks stands out amongst its peers.

Made from moulded pulp, it is 100% home compostable and 100% plastic-free. Shaped to fit in cosmetic jars, users simply peel the lid and drop it in - easy. The Beauty Loop sets the standard for refills - now it is time for the industry to embrace it.

The Beauty Loop

WHAT IS THE BEAUTY LOOP?

The Beauty Loop Refill caps from German manufacturer Papacks are made from 100% plastic-free Moulded pulp, made from materials, including waste Paper, straw, hay and Hemp. Similar in concept to egg cartons, the pulp is moulded into conical cap shapes, which echo the silhouette of a jar. Moulded pulp has progressed in recent years, and this new iteration is water resistant, grease repellent and fireproof.
While not totally waterproof, Papacks’ patented Organic Coating – a natural, wax-based coating – makes the refill caps suitable for creams and other cosmetic products.
Available in 15, 30, 50, 100 and 200 millilitre volumes, the caps are compatible with standard sized cosmetic jars, and can be simply lifted out when empty, with new ones dropped in.
The brand claims that the caps break down in home compost in just six weeks and when composting is not available, their material make-up means they can be added to paper recycling.

KEY PROPERTIES:

Fire-Resistant
Food Grade
Low-Carbon
Recyclable
Sealable

INDUSTRY:

Beauty
Packaging

AVAILABILITY:

Mass Market

DIVE DEEPER:

Buying a refill can reduce the CO2 footprint of a product by 70%, but most refill concepts are built around reduced-weight plastic. Papacks claims its plastic-free Refill caps have four times lower CO2 emissions per tray than plastic, slashing the reductions provided by refills even further, and cutting out waste.
Papacks currently has three production facilities and, from 2023, will have the capacity to make 600 million units per annum. The MOQ for Refill caps is 25,000.
The concept is simple: consumers buy an initial product in a durable jar which they keep. All further refills are supplied in Refill caps, which are housed in the empty jar, maintaining the luxury appeal of the product but without the CO2 emissions related to shipping a new, heavy jar for each new purchase.
Every aspect of the Refill caps is plastic-free including the seal, which is made from paper and finished with the patented organic coating, making it suitable for heat sealing. The seal can also be printed on, adding an element of customisation and an opportunity for branding.
The savings offered by this innovation are manifold. As well as CO2 reductions, Papacks claims packaging license costs are four times lower compared to a plastic tray of the same shape and, of course, there is no plastic tax.
End-of-life for certain compostable options, such as corn starch-based plastics, depends on access to industrial composting facilities, but the combined compostability and recyclability of Refill caps increases the likelihood of responsible disposable.
Four billion trees are cut down each year to make paper, equivalent to 1% of the rainforest. Trees are a vital carbon sink, and industrial deforestation is detrimental to climate goals. Papacks’ moulded fibre can be made from a range of cellulose materials from different feedstocks, important in decreasing reliance on paper products and reducing deforestation.
Refill caps are food compliant and uphold a number of Papacks’ certifications, including FSC and BRCGS. The company’s products and production are climate neutral through compensation, and it is in the process of ISO 90012015 certification.
To date, Papacks claims to have replaced 3,500,000 kilograms of plastic with its materials and products.

Set of two 50ml Refill Caps / Source: Papacks

Refill Caps are designed to fit into cosmetic jars / Source: Papacks

KEY FACTS:

70%

Buying a refill can reduce the CO2 footprint of a product by 70%.

3.5 million kg

Papacks claims to have replaced 3,500,000 kilograms of plastic with its materials and products.

600m

Papacks will have the capacity to make 600 million units per annum by 2023.

Key Questions to Ask:

What are your plans for secondary and tertiary packaging?

The appeal of Refill caps is their compostability and recyclability. Plastic sleeves, envelopes or packaging would undermine the benefits. Refill caps have high dimensional stability and shipping materials should reflect this. Papacks also manufactures moulded pulp transport trays.

Will you pass your savings onto the consumer?

Reduced license fees and the absence of a plastic levy will generate significant financial savings. Passing these onto the consumer and making your refills affordable will make it an accessible option, a key point of consideration in the effort to make refills the norm. We must democratise solutions to change behaviour.

What other opportunities are there for refills?

In order to have a widespread impact, refills need to become the standard for beauty. Although Refill caps only provide a solution to one product type, make using them your first step into refills, rather than your last.

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