Compostable tubes are a type of lipstickpackaging made from compost material in backyards or industrial facilities. These are usually made from recycled cardboard, paper or biodegradable plastic and dyed with natural pigments to ensure minimal impact on the environment. These almost always use unique push-up mechanisms rather than the twist bottom traditionally used for plastic tubes. This takes some time to get used to, but it means these tubes are usually larger than most lip balms and last longer – plus, if you lose it, there's no plastic waste!
But what does compostable mean? Are all compostable products the same?
Compostable and biodegradable products have several nuances, and it is important to understand these nuances so that you can choose the best option for you.
Biodegradable
Biodegradable products are those that decompose naturally over time and do not require any specific conditions. The most sustainable products in this category are rapidly biodegradable without emitting harmful chemicals or gases. Cardboard lip balm tubes are biodegradable in most cases, but depending on the exact material used, the time it takes to decompose will vary.
Commercial compostable
Not all compostable items are created equal – some types are made with more complex materials that require higher temperatures and different bacteria to compost. This requires these items to be stored in a commercial composting facility and cannot be broken down in your backyard. Cardboard lip balm tubes can break down in residential or commercial environments, but degrade more quickly in dedicated facilities.
What are the benefits of compostable lip balm tubes?
Choosing a compostable lip balm tube has several important benefits for you, your wallet and your environment:
Simple, natural, personalized care
Many doctors warn against lip balm that contains harsh chemicals and fillers, as found in grocery stores. Ingredients such as phenols, menthol and salicylic acid can dry out over time and irritate the lips. Instead, it's important to look for lip balms made with a small amount of natural ingredients. While not all lip balms packaged in compostable tubes will automatically be better for you, it's a good indicator that manufacturers are taking your experience with the product in its entirety and making small batches more thoughtfully. Be sure to check the labels to make sure!
More durable, harder to lose
Plastic-free lip balm tubes essentially have to be designed differently from plastic products – much of the waste in traditional tubes comes from the twisting mechanism and the overall small size of the container. Thus, the cardboard lip balm tube has a wider "push up" bottom – eliminating plastic while adapting to the size of adult hands. As a side benefit, this means you get more lip balm in every tube – making your personal care product last longer and reducing the pressure on your wallet. Plus, a larger lip balm tube is harder to lose and can fit nicely in a pocket or pouch – if you do lose it, it breaks down over time!
Less plastic in the waste stream
Plastic lip balm tubes cannot be recycled because they are too small for many municipal processes and are rarely sent to these facilities 100% "clean" (without any original contents). As a result, our waste stream is filled with more small plastics – worse than ended up in landfills, which are often found in waterways around the world.
