Cardiff-based SEY Cosmetics is a new, eco-conscious and sustainable cosmetics company that’s seeking to change the face of the beauty industry with products made from plant-based derived ingredients that are cruelty-free and vegan.
Each SEY Cosmetics product is packaged in refillable and re-useable containers that match a range of skin shades, types and textures.
Founder Meghan Gane, 33, has launched the business to address the harm that the beauty industry inflicts on the natural ecosystem – from the packaging it uses to the cosmetics ingredients themselves. The beauty industry produced 120 million units of packaging in 2018* – unfortunately the majority of this will end up in landfills, or worse, in the ocean.
Meghan explained: “Many companies will advertise their packaging as ‘recyclable’ and understandably lots of shoppers assume that by throwing the empty products in with their weekly recycling bags it will be re-used in some way. Unfortunately, that’s just not the case – in the UK, there are 28 different recycling labels that can appear on packaging and yet there’s very little in the way of public education on what to do with each.”
SEY Cosmetics uses only refillable and reusable containers which are designed to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and encourage shoppers to buy waste-free. The cosmetics themselves all contain plant-based derived ingredients that are biodegradable and non-persistent.
Although many well-established beauty and cosmetics companies offer refillable products, these traditionally still require some plastic recycling to enable home delivery, and so still contribute to waste. In comparison, SEY customers can either refill their containers in-store in Cardiff or send empty packages in the post for replenishment, making the process entirely plastic-waste free.
Meghan, who is originally from the Seychelles, continued:“The beauty industry has always had a large throwaway culture and SEY has been created to drive a change in the way consumers shop – for so many reasons it’s important that we get into a habit of refilling products, rather than always buying replacements.
“Protecting our environment is crucial, as our economy and livelihood depend heavily on it. A lot of cosmetics ingredients go through our drains and end up in our streams, lakes and oceans, harming marine life and the wider environment. The same goes for the packaging – I’ve seen first-hand how damaging plastic waste can be to island countries like the Seychelles. My goal is to focus on sustainable product development for sustainable living.”
In addition to its re-useable and vegan efforts, SEY Cosmetics has also teamed up with Tree Nation to help plant trees every time someone purchases from their eco-beauty range or visits the website. This will support reforestation and help offset its carbon footprint.
For her work on SEY Cosmetics, Meghan Gane has been shortlisted for Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, with winners announced later this year.
