In the beauty industry, environmental impact often remains hidden behind each product. At Arkive, we’re committed to understanding and minimizing this impact, especially in the disposal phase, which can contribute significantly to carbon emissions. One question we explored was: WHAT IS THE CO₂ FOOTPRINT OF A SINGLE COSMETIC ITEM THAT ENDS UP BEING INCINERATED? Through our research, we were able to approximate this number, creating a baseline for cosmetics companies seeking to reduce their emissions.
CALCULATING THE CO₂ EMISSIONS OF AN INCINERATED COSMETIC PRODUCT
When a cosmetic product reaches its end of life and is burned, various factors impact its CO₂ emissions. These include the volume and type of packaging material, the combustion conditions, and the composition of the item. Although exact emissions will vary, we applied a general model to get a reliable estimate.
STEP 1: DETERMINING THE VOLUME OF A TYPICAL COSMETIC PRODUCT
Most cosmetic items on the market are packaged in volumes ranging from 10 to 50 mL. For simplicity, we used the average volume of 30 mL, or 0.03 liters, as our benchmark product size.
STEP 2: ESTIMATING CO₂ EMISSIONS FROM PLASTIC COMBUSTION
Many cosmetic containers are made of plastics like polyethylene or polypropylene, which emit around 2.9 kg of CO₂ per kilogram when burned. Since plastic is prevalent in cosmetic packaging, this serves as a useful baseline.
STEP 3: ESTIMATING THE MASS OF A COSMETIC CONTAINER
Next, we estimated that the packaging of a typical 30 mL cosmetic product weighs approximately 10 grams, or 0.01 kg. While weights vary depending on the specific material and size, 10 grams is a fair average for small cosmetic containers.
STEP 4: CALCULATING THE AVERAGE CO₂ EMISSIONS PER ITEM
To find the emissions for a single item, we multiplied the packaging weight by the CO₂ emission rate for plastic:
So, each small cosmetic item that ends up being incinerated contributes around 0.029 kg of CO₂, or 29 grams, to the atmosphere.
WHY THIS MATTERS
For brands and consumers alike, these numbers reveal the unseen carbon footprint of everyday products. EVERY ITEM THAT ARKIVE 2.0 REPURPOSES OR REDIRECTS FROM INCINERATION MEANS 29 GRAMS OF CO₂ SAVED FROM BEING EMITTED. This may seem small on a per-product basis, but when scaled across hundreds or thousands of units, the potential savings become substantial.
NEXT STEPS: REDUCING END-OF-LIFE EMISSIONS TOGETHER
Arkive’s commitment to circularity isn’t just about managing stock; it’s about measurable environmental impact. Through partnerships and smarter end-of-life strategies, brands can reduce emissions while fulfilling sustainability commitments. And by considering the lifecycle of each item, the beauty industry can make significant strides toward reducing its overall carbon footprint.
JOIN US IN MAKING EVERY PRODUCT COUNT
Whether it’s through recycling, repurposing, or innovative reuses, Arkive 2.0 offers a path to both sustainable inventory management and climate responsibility. Every product saved is a step closer to a sustainable future.
THIS IS THE CALCULATION FOR OUR MVP1: DOWNSTREAM CO₂ ANALYSIS
The CO₂ emissions estimate presented here reflects Arkive’s MVP1, focusing on downstream impacts—the final stages of the product lifecycle, from distribution to end-of-life disposal. By analyzing CO₂ emissions in the downstream supply chain, we provide an accessible starting point for brands to understand and address the environmental impact of their unsold or end-of-life products.
THE FUTURE OF CO₂ ANALYSIS: UPSTREAM SUPPLY CHAIN DIGITIZATION
As Arkive continues to grow with new clients and expand its capabilities, we’re setting our sights upstream. By digitizing the upstream supply chain—covering everything from raw material sourcing to product assembly—Arkive aims to offer a comprehensive, automated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool. This tool will allow brands to view a full-scale LCA assessment for each product at a low cost, empowering them to make data-driven decisions that support sustainable sourcing and production.
Our goal is to make CO₂ tracking and sustainability insights an integral part of the supply chain for every brand, enabling holistic environmental management from start to finish. As Arkive moves forward with upstream digitization, we’ll offer clients deeper insights, more accurate emissions data, and a clear path to achieving their sustainability goals with minimal expense.