The aesthetics and wider beauty industry is being called to take collective action this March, as the British Beauty Council and its Sustainable Beauty Coalition (SBC) relaunch The Great British Beauty Clean Up (GBBCU) on 2 March 2026.
The initiative will run throughout March, aligning with Global Recycling Day (18 March) and the UN International Day of Zero Waste (30 March).
The campaign urges brands, clinics, retailers and suppliers to rethink waste at every stage of the product lifecycle – from packaging design to post-treatment disposal.
The British Beauty Council highlighted that the beauty industry produces over 120 billion units of packaging globally.
For aesthetic clinics in particular, where single-use items and hard-to-recycle components are a part of daily proceedings, the 2026 initiative presents a timely opportunity to reassess environmental impact while meeting growing patient demand for sustainable practice.
Recycling and repurposing
A core focus of this year’s GBBCU is increasing recycling and repurposing rates across the sectors. To support this, the British Beauty Council has partnered with MYGroup, a waste management innovator, to launch a co-branded recycling box designed specifically for beauty businesses.
The take-back scheme ensures that all collected items are repurposed.
British Beauty Council patrons and members are eligible for a 15% discount on the £74.80 take-back box, which includes free collection, using the code BBCOMEMBER15.
“Empties are often hard to recycle and even more difficult to repurpose, so what’s better than this easy solution. Not only will they take back your empties, but they’ll be repurposed into usable items, such as school furniture,” shares Millie Kendall, CEO of the British Beauty Council.
For aesthetic practices managing treatment room waste, structured take-back schemes offer a practical and reputational win.
Reuse and refill
While recycling remains critical, the 2026 campaign makes clear that it is no longer sufficient on its own.
Victoria Brownlie MBE, Chief of Policy and Sustainability at the British Beauty Council, states:
“Whilst there is some great work going on in the industry, we can and must do better. With the industry accounting for one-third of all landfill waste, simply recycling is no longer enough. The 2026 Great British Beauty Clean Up is about reimagining waste completely,” explains Victoria Brownlie, chief of policy and sustainability at the British Beauty Council.
The SBC is urging brands and clinics to:
- Promote reusable and refillable packaging
- Reduce reliance on single-use formats
- Prevent surplus stock from entering landfill or incineration
- Partner with redistribution charities to extend product life
Gen Z and sustainability
Data gathered in January 2026 by the British Beauty Council in collaboration with UNiDAYS showcases the importance of sustainability.
Surveying 3,533 students, the findings reveal:
- 84% say sustainability is important when purchasing beauty products
- 78% actively seek sustainable brands
- 56% always recycle beauty empties, with a further 27% recycling occasionally
- 26% are unaware that most beauty empties can be recycled
- 86% would be encouraged to buy more sustainable products if incentivised through discounts, loyalty points or store credit
Increasing sustainability in aesthetic clinics
For clinics targeting younger demographics, showcasing visible sustainability initiatives may influence brand loyalty and purchasing behaviour.
For aesthetic medicine professionals, GBBCU 2026 offers more than a symbolic gesture. It presents an opportunity to:
- Audit treatment room waste
- Introduce refillable retail skincare lines
- Implement visible schemes
- Communicate sustainability to patients
As regulatory scrutiny and consumer expectation shift, sustainable practice is rapidly becoming a factor in brand positioning.
Clinics can access the GBBCU Campaign Toolkit, which includes social media assets, window decals and practical guides for implementing reuse and take-back systems.
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