Essay on Environmental Issues in the Beauty Industry

Introduction

All stakeholders in most economies always overlook the contribution of the beauty industry to environmental pollution. However, it is essential to note that there is a problem with the packaging materials and other substances used in the industry. Most economies are struggling to ensure that there is a strategy that can push them to achieve sustainability. As such, it is crucial to examine the role that the beauty industry plays in enhancing pollution. In the process, the project will seek to analyze elements and substances that cause pollution as contributed by the beauty industry (Becker, Gerstmann and Frank 115). An in-depth analysis of the matter can help environmentalists and other stakeholders make essential decisions and avert the problem. In this paper, much focus is shifted towards examining environmental issues that arise from the beauty industry, especially pollution. In an attempt to meet the objectives of the research, the project will seek to conduct a literature review on the topic of discussion and establish what other authors have done on the same. Equally, the project will feature a methodology used to gather information for concluding (Becker, Gerstmann and Frank 115). The report aims to answer the question, “what are the environmental issues associated with beauty industries?” In essence, the research offers more priority to understanding the issues in the beauty industry as contributed by cosmetics such as Dioxane in shampoo and bubble baths.

Literature Review

The research needs to conduct a background check on the topic of discussion in a bid to establish work done by other researchers. This will help gather crucial qualitative data for a detailed conclusion. For instance, Okereke, J. N., et al., in the article “Possible health implications associated with cosmetics,” takes a close examination of the health issues that are associated with the use of cosmetics (Okereke, J. N., et al. 58). The authors assert that it is vital to ascertain the level of significance of cosmetics in polluting the environment. In the research, examples of substances in the beauty industry that are environmentally unfriendly are listed, including Triethanolamine, Laureth Sulphate, mineral oil, and fragrance, among others. As such, the study will help establish the impact such beauty chemicals cause to the environment. Wiechers and Musee, in the year 2010, researched the use of nanotechnology in the beauty industry to meet the customers’ needs (Wiechers and Musee 408). The research takes a keen interest in environmental safety associated with the use of such cosmetics and what can be done to handle the matter. In essence, the authors have shifted focus towards risk assessment of cosmetic contribution to the environment. Kumar in the year 2015 conducted a study aimed at analyzing the global cosmetic industry and health issues that are associated (Kumar 1263). The author notes with concern products introduced in the cosmetics industry, which have an impact on the environment. The research will help establish formidable arguments on the topic of discussion.

Methodology

The research aims to use a qualitative approach in the process of gathering information. Qualitative analysis will facilitate the convenient and efficient process of data collection, which will be used to make essential conclusions. In the event of meeting the research objectives, the study will examine chemicals that are applied in the cosmetics industry and their composition. The aim of establishing their composition is to identify how the products can harm the environment. The toxic chemicals cause issues to animal and plant life within the ecosystem. As such, an overview of the chemical used in the industry will be part of the qualitative analysis that the study aims to conduct. Equally, the study seeks to apply qualitative analysis in establishing examples of environmental issues that have been witnessed in the event of cosmetic use. Failure to capture important information as it pertains to environmental pollution will lead to premature and less detailed conclusions.

The research will apply content analysis to gather information from scholarly articles that have been published. Content analysis is an essential research tool that many people apply to establish important qualitative aspects in some set of data. As part of the methodology, the research will employ content analysis to examine what other researchers have done on the same topic. The inclusion criterion applicable is based on relevance and contribution to the subject matter. Articles that do not discuss environmental issues associated with cosmetics do not meet the criterion and cannot be used in the study. Equally, studies that have elaborated on the beauty chemicals and negative effects they have on the environment meet the inclusion criterion and will be used purposively throughout the study. The internet will be useful in establishing various facts on the topic and analysis of content online.

Results and Findings

Results from the study conducted indicate that the beauty industry is a significant contributor to issues that are affecting the environment. For instance, the chemicals that are used to manufacture the beauty products are harmful, and their excessive use can lead to climate change. Packaging of the beauty products is also a significant worry to environmental stakeholders (Becker, Gerstmann and Frank 115). When products are packed using non-biodegradable plastics, the environment is affected negatively. The packaging in the industry is an issue that needs to be addressed is pollution has to be controlled. The use of cosmetics is on the rise, and their packaging materials are littered all over, which poses a significant environmental threat. Spilling of substances such as nail polish and perfumes is detrimental to the survival of organisms that rely on the environment for survival. To achieve sustainability that is essential for future generations, there is an urgent need to address the issue of pollution as contributed by all sectors of the economy. Make-ups, nail polish and other beauty products are a health hazard to the environment and need to be addressed early enough (Borger and Kruglianskas 399). Findings indicate that many people are more focused on averting environmental issues as contributed by other sectors overlooking the role of the beauty industry. As such, controlling the use of beauty products can be a massive step towards achieving environmental sustainability.

Discussion

Excessive use of beauty chemicals in the society is harmful to the environment. There is an urgent need to address the matter in a bid to ensure that sustainability is achieved. As noted in the study, substances such as make-ups can cause severe issues for organisms that live in water whenever they spill into such bodies (Becker, Gerstmann and Frank 115). Equally, minerals such as lead are harmful to the survival of aquatic animals, which poses a significant threat to the environment. Consumption of water that has such substances can cause complications for human beings. Most brands that manufacture beauty products are applying chemicals in their manufacture (Borger and Kruglianskas 399). The chemicals are washed down the sinks and transported to water bodies where they cause serious issues to organisms in there. The most challenging issue is that most of the chemicals do not break down, and instead, they accumulate in the ecosystem where they can lead to a climatic change.

Packaging materials used by cosmetic industries is a major issue that affects the environment negatively. The plastic waste is thrown all over the environment, thwarting any efforts to achieve sustainability in environmental conservation. Marine pollution is skyrocketing as there is increased use of beauty products around the globe. For instance, the bottles that hold shampoos and other beauty products should be designed in such a way that they are not disintegrated by the product that they are carrying (Becker, Gerstmann and Frank 115). Climatic changes as a result of pollution are posing a threat to the survival of biodiversity and other aquatic animals. The need to achieve sustainability in environmental conservation necessitates the formulation of policies that can help control marine pollution. The most important strategy is to reduce the release of beauty products to the environment, as most of them are non-biodegradable (Borger and Kruglianskas 399). Findings from the research should b applied to strategize on possible ways to control pollution as contributed by the beauty industry.

Conclusion

Beauty products cause pollution to the environment when released in excess. The report focuses on the environmental issues that exist courtesy of operations of the beauty industry. An in-depth analysis is given to cosmetics that are causing an ecological imbalance within the environment. The research applies principles of qualitative analysis to collect relevant information that has been used to conclude. Equally, content analysis has been used as a tool to establish appropriate information for this particular study. Metals such as lead find their way into water bodies causing serious issues to the existence of organisms. Packaging materials used, such as plastics that are non-biodegradable, cause pollution to the environment. In essence, the beauty industry is a significant contributor to the high levels of marine pollution that is witnessed. Industries that manufacture such products should be keen to avoid contaminating water bodies. Pollution should be put under control in a bid to achieve sustainability that can benefit future generations. Environmentalists and other stakeholders should hold talks and forge a way forward that can see the practice put under control. Legislation that punishes companies in the industry who cause pollution as a result of their substances might help reduce marine pollution.

Works Cited

Becker, Anna Maria, Silke Gerstmann, and Hartmut Frank. “Perfluorooctane surfactants in waste waters, the major source of river pollution.” Chemosphere 72.1 (2008): 115-121.

Borger, Fernanda Gabriela, and Isak Kruglianskas. “Corporate social responsibility and environmental and technological innovation performance: case studies of Brazilian companies.” International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management 6.4 (2006): 399-412.

Kumar, Sameer. “Exploratory analysis of global cosmetic industry: major players, technology and market trends.” Technovation 25.11 (2005): 1263-1272.

Okereke, J. N., et al. “Possible health implications associated with cosmetics: a review.” Science Journal of Public Health 3.5 (2015): 58.

Wiechers, Johann W., and Ndeke Musee. “Engineered inorganic nanoparticles and cosmetics: facts, issues, knowledge gaps and challenges.” Journal of biomedical nanotechnology 6.5 (2010): 408-431.