How to Dispose of Expired Cosmetics Safely in 2026

We are already on the brink of 2026, and our attitude toward waste is changing radically. If in the past we just threw everything in the trash, now we understand that we have only one planet. But cosmetics are always tricky. Where should you put old face cream? Can you throw nail polish in the trash?

These jars pile up for years, and simply sweeping them into a bag is a bad idea. Chemicals seep into the soil, and plastic sticks around for decades. The question of how to dispose of expired cosmetics is becoming increasingly important for everyone who wants to live in a clean world. Let’s figure out how to put things in order on the shelves without harming nature.

What to Do with Expired Makeup: Main Rules

The most important thing to know: only clean packaging can be recycled. Recycling facilities don’t wash our trash for us. If you throw a jar with leftover cream into a container for plastic, it can spoil the entire batch of material.

Here’s a simple guide on how to proceed when deciding what to do with expired makeup:

Glass. This is the easiest option. Wipe off any residue with a tissue, and the jar is ready to be recycled.

Plastic. Look at the bottom. If there’s a triangle with the number 1 or 2 on it, that’s good – this type of plastic is accepted almost everywhere.

Eyeshadow palettes. This is more complicated because they contain mirrors and magnets. If you can’t remove them, unfortunately, the palette has to go in the regular trash.

How Can I Dispose of Skincare Packaging Responsibly?

The biggest problem is dispensers and pumps. They look like simple plastic, but they often have a metal spring inside. Because of this, the machinery at recycling plants can’t process them properly.

If you’re looking for a way to dispose of skincare packaging responsibly, you’ll have to do a bit of manual work. Unscrew everything that can be unscrewed. Wash the bottle itself and recycle it.

How to Dispose of Old Cosmetics and Lotions

Very often, people make the mistake of pouring old lotions down the toilet. It seems like it’s liquid and will just wash away. But the oily base sticks to the pipes and clogs them, and the chemicals contaminate the water.

Here’s the right plan for how to dispose of old cosmetics and lotions:

• Squeeze all the cream into a garbage bag.
• If it’s too liquid, mix it with cat litter or sawdust to thicken it.
• Only put an empty, dry jar into a recycling container.

How to Dispose of Expired Skincare Products: Be Careful

Some things in your makeup bag are genuinely dangerous. These include nail polishes, removers, and any aerosols (deodorants, hairspray). They are highly flammable, so you need to be careful with them.

When thinking about how to dispose of expired skincare products of this type, do not throw them in the household trash unless they are completely empty. Aerosols should be taken to hazardous waste collection points. Dried nail polish is safe, but liquid polish should be poured onto paper, left to dry in a well-ventilated area, and only then thrown away.

How to Dispose of Old Sunscreen

Sunscreens contain filters that are very harmful to aquatic life. They can damage corals and fish. Therefore, even if you live far from the sea, do not rinse them down the drain.

When deciding how to dispose of old sunscreen, do the same as with other creams: thick product goes in the trash, and the packaging goes to recycling. And don’t be stingy with your SPF – in 2026, sun protection should be high quality, and an expired cream simply won’t protect you.

How to Dispose of Expired Shampoo

Shampoo is a strong chemical product that produces a lot of foam. In large quantities, it harms nature. If you have shampoo left that you don’t like, it’s better to give it to someone.

But if it has spoiled, here’s a life hack for how to dispose of expired shampoo: use it to wash the floor, the car, or makeup brushes. This is called “upcycling” – finding a new use for an old product instead of just throwing it away.

FAQ: Simple Answers

Do you need to wash jars until they shine?
Perfect shine is not necessary, but the jar should be empty and free of obvious product residues. A quick rinse with water is enough.

What about samples?
Those little sachets you get in stores are made from a mix of plastic and foil. They are almost impossible to recycle, so they usually end up in regular trash.

Can you recycle old perfume bottles?
Perfumes contain a lot of alcohol. If the bottle is not empty, it is considered hazardous waste. It’s better to use it as an air freshener in the bathroom until it runs out. More tips on safe disposal can be found on the EPA website.

Being eco-friendly is simple. A little attention to what you throw away can make the world a cleaner place.