How to Recycle Your Nail Polish Bottles

Are you a nail polish devotee? You’ll know the thrill of adding the latest on-trend colour to your collection. However, what happens when it runs out or starts to dry up? Do you throw it in the bin or recycle it? Here’s how to recycle nail polish bottles.

The Problem When You Want to Recycle Nail Polish

While it’s true that nail polish bottles are made from glass, they’re difficult to recycle. They have a plastic lid, a synthetic brush, and a label on the outside. Not to mention that the polish itself contains flammable chemicals. This is why nail polish is not accepted for recycling in most curbside schemes. It’s classed as hazardous waste, so you shouldn’t put it in your household waste bin.

What The Brands Say...

If you want to recycle nail polish bottles, the advice can be confusing. Check with your favourite brands and it appears they offer conflicting advice. Some say they’re not recyclable because of the hazardous materials in the polish. Others say that after rinsing them out with acetone, you can put them in your recycling. However, even TerraCycle, the specialist in hard to recycle items, don’t recycle them. The company says the risk of contamination is just too high.

Is There Anyway I Can Recycle Nail Polish Bottles?

In our opinion, the least risky way to recycle nail polish bottles is by taking them to a household recycling centre. Facilities should accept them as hazardous waste. However, you’ll have to give them a good clean first.

• Pour some nail varnish remover into the bottle. Then put the lid back on and give it a shake. This should thin the polish out.
• Pour the polish out onto a paper towel. Do NOT pour it down the sink.
• Repeat until the bottle is empty. Give it a good rinse with water and let it dry.
• Take your nail polish bottles to a household recycling facility where they’ll be disposed of properly.

Reduce the Environmental Impact of Your Nail Polish Habit

So you can recycle nail polish bottles, though there are other ways to reduce environmental impact.

• Help your favourite polishes last longer by adding a few drops of nail varnish remover if they’re starting to dry up.
• Be mindful of the brands you choose. Many brands have developed formulas that are free from harmful chemicals. Fewer chemicals mean that they’re better for you and less harmful to the environment.
• Only buy colours you’ll actually wear. Those neons may be tempting. However if you wear them a handful of times before they’re gathering dust, it’s wasteful. If you know you’ll wear nudes, pinks, and reds more than anything, invest in them instead.

We hope we’ve given you the nudge you needed to sort through your polish collection and recycle some bottles!

For more interesting articles on all things nails, check out the rest of our blog.