How much haircare plastic waste do Australians generate each year?

Australians purchase and discard an estimated 179 million plastic bottles from shampoo, conditioner and other personal care products each year. Over 85 percent of this plastic waste ends up in landfill, meaning more than 152 million bottles are not recycled.

Which supermarket haircare brands use recycled plastic bottles?

Several major brands now use recycled plastic bottles including Biolage, Garnier, Palmolive, My Soda, OC Naturals and Wallawa, all using 100 percent recycled bottle content. Redken uses 94 percent recycled content. Percentages and availability may change so always check packaging.

Do haircare refill systems actually reduce plastic waste?

Yes. Some brands offer refill pouches or bulk containers that can reduce plastic use by up to 80 percent. Brands including My Soda, OC Naturals, Redken, Herbal Essences and Head and Shoulders offer refill options.

Why is haircare packaging hard to recycle?

Many brands disclose bottle materials but not lids or pump tops. Pump mechanisms are usually not recyclable. Recycled content percentages are often vague, and packaging details change over time. Mixed plastics used for unique bottle shapes and finishes also make recycling difficult or impossible.

What is a circular economy approach to haircare?

A circular economy approach means keeping materials in circulation rather than sending them to landfill. For haircare, this means choosing products made from recycled plastic, using refill systems, or switching to plastic-free bars - reducing waste and supporting plastic recycling markets.

What should I check before buying haircare products sustainably?

Always check the bottle label before purchasing. Look for the percentage of recycled content, whether refills are available, and whether pump tops or lids are recyclable. Sustainability claims on packaging can be inconsistent, so checking labels directly is the most reliable approach.

Recycling Haircare: How Sustainable Shampoo Choices Can Reduce Plastic Waste

Q: Are shampoo bars a good alternative to plastic bottles?

Yes. Shampoo and conditioner bars are now widely available in supermarkets, come packaged entirely in paper and eliminate plastic altogether. Anecdotally, performance is comparable to traditional liquid products with far less waste.

January 27, 2026

Australians love their haircare, but there’s a hidden environmental cost lurking in our bathrooms. Every year, Australians purchase and discard an estimated 179 million plastic bottles from shampoo, conditioner and other personal care products. Alarmingly, over 85% of this plastic waste ends up in landfill, meaning more than 152 million bottles are not recycled.

As conversations around plastic recycling, sustainable living, and the circular economy grow louder, many consumers are asking the same question:

How can we recycle more and reduce plastic waste without giving up everyday essentials?

The Plastic Problem: Why Recycling Alone Isn’t Enough

Calls to ban plastic outright are becoming more common across Australia. While well-intentioned, this approach isn’t always practical. Plastic remains deeply embedded in modern life - especially in personal care - and millions of plastic bottles already exist.

Another proposed solution is standardised packaging to improve recycling rates. However, most brands have invested heavily in unique shapes, colours and finishes to stand out on shelves. These design choices often use mixed plastics, making recycling difficult or impossible.

The reality? We need smarter solutions, not just less plastic.

Progress in Plastic Recycling: Brands Are Starting to Listen

Consumer pressure and government targets are driving real change. Many haircare brands are now redesigning packaging to include:

Recycled plastic content
Refill systems
Larger pack sizes to reduce waste
Commitments to 100% recycled packaging by 2030

This shift supports a more eco-friendly, sustainable, and circular economy approach - where plastic stays in use longer instead of becoming waste.

What We Found When Reviewing Supermarket Haircare

We reviewed shampoo and conditioner products available through major Australian retailers using publicly available online information. While progress is evident, transparency is inconsistent.

Key challenges we identified:

Many brands disclose bottle materials but not lids or pump tops
Pump mechanisms are usually not recyclable
Recycled content percentages are often vague
Packaging details change over time

💡 Tip: Always check the bottle label before purchasing if sustainable packaging is important to you.

Refill Packs, Bars & Upcycling: Smarter Ways to Reduce Waste

Beyond recycled bottles, we uncovered several low-waste alternatives that support recycling and upcycling principles:

🔄 Refill Systems

Some brands offer refill pouches or bulk containers, reducing plastic use by up to 80%.

🧼 Shampoo & Conditioner Bars

Now widely available in supermarkets, these products come packaged entirely in paper and eliminate plastic altogether. Anecdotally, performance is comparable to traditional liquid products - with far less waste.

♻️ Recycled Plastic Products

Several mainstream brands now use 100% recycled plastic bottles, keeping materials in circulation and supporting plastic recycling infrastructure.

Supermarket Haircare Packaging Comparison

Below is a snapshot of how major brands are approaching recycling and sustainability (based on best available information at time of writing):

Brand	Product Range	Recycled Bottle Content	Refill Available	Notes
Biolage	Bottles	100%	No	Tubes are 73% recycled
Garnier	Most ranges	100%	No	Widely available
Palmolive	All	100%	No	Clear recycling labelling
My Soda	All	100%	Yes	Locally made, refill system
OC Naturals	Almost all	100%	Yes	Online refills
Redken	Most	94%	Yes	Refills for popular lines
Sunsilk	Selected	25–70%	Some	Bottles redesigned using less plastic
Herbal Essences	Selected	25–50%	Yes	TerraCycle beach plastic initiative
Head & Shoulders	Selected	Some	Yes	Includes beach plastic
Wallawa	All	100%	No	Clear sustainability focus

(Percentages and availability may change - always check packaging.)

From Recycling to a Circular Economy

Using recycled plastic products isn’t just about recycling - it’s about keeping materials in circulation. This is the foundation of a circular economy, where waste becomes a resource rather than an endpoint.

By choosing products made from recycled plastic, refill systems, or plastic-free bars, consumers actively:

Reduce plastic waste
Support plastic recycling markets
Encourage brands to invest in sustainable design
Make eco-friendly living feel achievable - and even eco-chic

Small Bathroom Choices, Big Environmental Impact

Sustainable living doesn’t require perfection. Even small changes - like switching to a recycled bottle or refill pack - can dramatically reduce waste over time.

As more brands embrace recycling, upcycling, and eco-friendly packaging, consumers have greater power than ever to shape the future of plastic use in Australia.

Recycle what you can. Choose recycled where possible. And support brands that design for the planet, not just the shelf.

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