Design Life-Cycle

Kylie Miller

Christina Cogdell

DES 40A

December 2, 2021

 Raw Materials of Synthetic Makeup Brushes

A makeup brush has a structure of a handle, a ferrule, and bristles. The ferrule connects the handle and bristles together. There are multiple types of makeup brushes, but one main type of synthetic makeup brush has a plastic handle, an aluminum ferrule, and polyester bristles. The life cycle of a makeup brush from when it is made to when it is disposed of focuses on materials, energy, and waste emissions. The materials that go into the life cycle of synthetic makeup brushes are mass produced to supply the high demand from consumers, causing negative effects on the environment, such as contaminating terrestrial areas, polluting aquatic regions, and emitting toxic gases into the air affecting organisms.

Materials used in the life cycle of a makeup brush causes oceanic contamination. Polyester which is used to make bristles has microplastics that fill our water and is being consumed by marine animals (CFDA). The shedding of microplastics is polluting the environment which then affects the organism surviving in it. Water species are impacted by a material that isn’t even used in the ocean.  A large amount of  “polyester and other plastic just clutters the environment whether it sits in landfills, breaks down into microplastics or floats in the ocean” (Eller, Erica). Polyester is not sustainable because of all of the harm it does to the environment. The large quantities of polyester used in products such as a makeup brush produce a lot of waste that ends up contaminating different places on earth. In the aquatic environment, aluminium acts as a toxic agent on gill-breathing animals such as fish and invertebrates, causing osmoregulatory failure”(Staurnes, M., Eldhuset, T.D., and Rosseland B.O.). The pollution from aluminum byproducts such as methane and ammonia create difficulties that can lead to systems in an animal to fail. This leads to a chain reaction affecting other organisms' food source in the ocean which then limits humans food sources.  In addition, soap, made from oil mixed with alkali, is consistently used to clean makeup brushes, but soap causes “ a decrease in water quality, such as reducing light transmission, eutrophication, and pH changes in soil and water” (Ramakrishna,Teymourian, Kowsari, and Chirani).  Soap is a commonly used product that is changing the living conditions for water animals. All of these sudden changes make it extremely hard for animals to adapt to their surroundings when food sources, oxygen levels, and light is being depleted. Glue that sticks the bristles into the ferrule has runoff that doesn't dissolve in water which means it poisons anything that touches or is in the water (Hot Melt). There is such a drastic consequence to the use of glue because of its properties. Glue is not an ideal material to use when it is highly toxic to animals and humans. Diesel fuel made from crude oil and biomass for planes for distribution produces acid rain which affects “lakes and streams and enters the human food chain via water, produce, meat and fish” (EPA). Acid rain contaminates the ocean which in turn damages marine life and damages humans by drinking water or eating sea animals. The negative effects on water that materials of a makeup brush create are very hazardous to humans, animals, and plants. 

Raw materials and their byproducts for synthetic brushes create problems for terrestrial wildlife. Aluminum can be absorbed and impede crucial metabolic processes in mammals and birds(Staurnes, M., Eldhuset, T.D., and Rosseland B.O.). Land animals' physical capabilities are being harmed through heavy use of these aluminum. Although aluminum has such a strong effect on animals, it is still being used today for companies' personal benefits. Cardboard material is also used for boxes to transport makeup brushes. It is necessary to cut down trees to make cardboard which leads to the “destruction of the surrounding habitat and wildlife” (H West). Cutting down trees everytime you need new cardboard leads to deforestation which releases carbon into the air and destroys homes. When an animal's home, food source, or shade is taken away, animals struggle to survive and some die. Phthalates which are byproducts of vinyl makeup bags “have been found to damage the reproductive system, causing infertility, testicular damage, reduced sperm count, suppressed ovulation, and abnormal development and function of the testes and male reproductive tract in laboratory animals” (Thornton, Joe). Vinyl causes extreme issues that affect male and female animals' reproductive capacity. The constant use of vinyl can cause a population decrease or weaken the population because animals are unable to produce or have complications when they reproduce .  Glue is an adhesive that is used to construct the brush and  “breathing in the fumes from quickly evaporating solvent-based adhesives poses serious health risks like asthma and lung disease” (Hot Melt). These health issues caused by glue are most likely not going to be detected until the issue becomes more major and the impacts become permanent. Makeup brushes are bought to help people do makeup. However, overall, makeup brushes are not helping people when some materials in the makeup brush are damaging important parts of the body. Diesel fuel to transport makeup brushes contributes “to the production of ground-level ozone which damages crops, trees and other vegetation” (EPA). Animals and humans are stripped of necessary nutrients from plane fuel and planes are flown several times a day. Species living on land are affected in many harmful ways by the materials in a synthetic makeup brush that are easier or more accessible to make to support the popularity of these brushes. 

Harmful greenhouse gases and other air pollutants are being created from the production of some raw materials in the making of a makeup brush. Polyester, one of the main materials in the makeup brush, “is a synthetic petroleum-based fibre, and is therefore made from a carbon-intensive non-renewable resource”(Edwards, Summer). Petroleum used to make polyester is nonrenewable which means there is only so much polyester that can be used in this way. The finite amount of petroleum and the large amounts of carbon being released into the air is not a lasting or healthy way to produce polyester or other materials with similar effects. There needs to be a new way to make polyester or a shift in other materials used in the bristles of a makeup brush in order to lessen the impacts on the planet. Aluminum for the ferrule has “greenhouse gas emissions released during smelting and processing include carbon dioxide, perfluorocarbons, sodium fluoride, sulfur dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and a vast list of other problematic elements”(Leigh, Elizah). The long list of gases illustrates how dangerous the frequent use of aluminum is to nature and living organisms. Each toxic gas has its own unique consequence on the environment. Aluminum production isn’t just affecting one part of the environment, it is affecting multiple aspects. Not only do harmful gases form from making aluminum, particulates are “released during processing that are known to compromise air quality (that include) combustion byproducts, caustic aerosols, dust from bauxite, limestone, charred lime, alumina and sodium salt”(Leigh, Elizah). This demonstrates how just one material can alter our surroundings in a plethora of ways. Manufacturers of makeup brushes must consider whether they want to take the easy route of making aluminum, or if they want to find or use an alternative material that does not have as severe punishments on mother nature. Makeup brushes are transported in cardboard boxes, made from wood, straw, and waste paper,  and  “if you don’t recycle cardboard, then it will end up in landfill and increase the amount of methane that is released into the atmosphere” (H West). One main reason methane is horrible when it pollutes the air is because it contributes to global warming. Improperly disposing of cardboard which is unrealistic to regulate entirely adds to the serious problem of climate change. The pollution in the air caused by raw materials in a makeup brush creates hindrances in nature and living things. 

A lot of synthetic makeup brushes are made cheaply or made with the sole interest of a company making money which leads to materials being used that cause extreme harm to the environment. The raw materials, from makeup brushes, that have negative effects on the ocean, land, and air are not reasonable to keep using at such a high rate.  Products that are created at a high volume for quantity over quality are having adverse effects on nature and the organisms living in it. If society continues to create these products with the same raw materials and same production process, our planet will not be able to survive as it is right now.  

Bibliography 

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Britannica. “Paperboard.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/technology/paperboard.

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Canada, Natural Resources. “Government of Canada.” Natural Resources Canada, / Gouvernement Du Canada, 22 Feb. 2021, https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/minerals-mining/minerals-metals-facts/aluminum-facts/20510.

CFDA, 2016, https://cfda.com/resources/materials/detail/polyester.

Chirani, Mahboobeh Rafieepoor, et al. “Environmental Impact of Increased Soap Consumption during COVID-19 Pandemic: Biodegradable Soap Production and Sustainable Packaging.” Science of The Total Environment, Elsevier, 10 July 2021, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721040857.

Edwards, Summer. “The Environmental Impacts of Polyester.” Tortoise & Lady Grey, 29 Aug. 2016, https://tortoiseandladygrey.com/2016/08/29/environmental-impacts-polyester/.

EIA. “U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.” Gasoline Explained - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 5 Mar. 2020, https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/gasoline/#:~:text=Gasoline%20is%20a%20fuel%20made,at%20retail%20gasoline%20fueling%20stations.

Eller, Erica. “What Is Polyester Made of--and How Bad Is It for the Environment?” Goodfair, Goodfair, 11 July 2020, https://goodfair.com/blogs/nonewthings/what-is-polyester-made-of.

EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/dera/learn-about-impacts-diesel-exhaust-and-diesel-emissions-reduction-act-dera.

Global Aviation. Aviation Fuels Technical Review. https://skybrary.aero/sites/default/files/bookshelf/6099.pdf.

“How Rising Environmental Concern Has Improved the Hot Melt Adhesives Industry.” Hotmelt.com, 2021, https://www.hotmelt.com/blogs/blog/how-rising-environmental-concern-has-improved-the-hot-melt-adhesives-industry.

Hwest. “4 Reasons Why It's so Bad to Not Recycle Cardboard.” H West Equipment, 15 Sept. 2018, http://hwestequipment.com/4-reasons-why-its-so-bad-to-not-recycle-cardboard/.

Jenkins, Kadian. “Where Does Silicone Rubber Come from? Learn with Us Today.” Silicone Engineering, 31 July 2017, https://silicone.co.uk/news/where-does-silicone-rubber-come-from/.

Joyner , Lisa. “6 Beauty Products That Can Be Recycled – and 4 That Can't.” Country Living, Country Living, 11 Mar. 2021, https://www.countryliving.com/uk/news/a27281280/recycling-beauty-products/.

KOSMOS. Custom Makeup Brush Manufacturer in China, http://www.gmakeupbrushes.com/html_info/?15-makeup-brushes-materials-and-components-15.html.

Lam, Nicholas L, et al. “Kerosene: A Review of Household Uses and Their Hazards in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.” Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part B, Critical Reviews, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2012, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3664014/.

Leigh, Elizah. “Recyclenation.” RecycleNation, 9 Nov. 2010, https://recyclenation.com/2010/11/aluminum-extraction-recycling-environment/.

Lichtarowicz, Marek. Paints, 18 Mar. 2013, https://www.essentialchemicalindustry.org/materials-and-applications/paints.html.

Liu, Brian. “Makeup Brush Manufacturers Tell You How to Produce a Cosmetic Brush?” LinkedIn, LinkedIn, 25 Jan. 2019, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/makeup-brush-manufacturers-tell-you-how-produce-cosmetic-brian-liu.

Loeschen, Daniel. “How Glue Is Made.” Mixer Direct, 27 June 2019, https://www.mixerdirect.com/blogs/mixer-direct-blog/how-glue-is-made.

Nunez, Kirsten. “How to Make Soap from Scratch.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 23 Nov. 2021, https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-make-soap.

Redd, Nancy. “How to Clean Makeup Brushes.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 23 Sept. 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-clean-makeup-brushes/.

Rosseland BO;Eldhuset TD;Staurnes M. “Environmental Effects of Aluminium.” Environmental Geochemistry and Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24202562/.

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America Cadena 

Professor Cogdell

Des 40A

December 2, 2021

                                                          Make-up Brushes: Energy

Do you know the life cycle of synthetic makeup brushes?  What type of energy is used when manufacturing synthetic makeup brushes? Are makeup brushes bad or good for the environment? These are some questions that we might not ask ourselves when purchasing or using makeup brushes.  When looking into the life cycle of makeup brushes, we’re looking into the process of how it’s made. The process includes raw materials acquisition, manufacturing processing & formulation, distribution and transportation, use, re-use & maintenance, recycling, and waste management. Energy is a huge part of forming the life cycle of a makeup brush. Makeup brushes are not suitable for the environment, and people should not rely on synthetic makeup brushes because it uses a lot of energy to be manufactured.

It requires fossil fuels to get the raw materials out of the ground. Fossil fuels are used as natural gas to produce plastic.  Polypropylene plastic is made from natural gas. Polypropylene is tough and classified as a “thermoplastic.” According to Everything You Need to Know About Polypropylene (PP) Plastic, “Polypropylene, like other plastics, typically starts with the distillation of hydrocarbon fuels into lighter groups called fractions, some of which are combined with other catalysts to produce plastics.”  Aluminum begins with ore, bauxite, and it is collected together with oxide. It’s mixed with  40% of silica, and 60% of iron oxide. “The aluminum production process uses electrical power as major energy. This electrical energy is generally derived from thermal power plants which work with maximum 30% efficacy.” (Aluminum Production)Polyester is a synthetic fiber that it’s formed from a chemical reaction between acid and alcohol when two or more molecules create a stable molecule.  

When it comes to manufacturing makeup brushes, different factories  have their own way of manufacturing makeup brushes. Some factories require manual labor to put some parts of the makeup brush together.  For example, the bristles are glued into the ferrule, and this process it’s done by hand. This particular part of the manufacturing uses human power/ energy because it is being done by hand. Humans produce around 100 watts of power. Chemical energy is used for their machines when making other parts of the makeup brush.   According to How Sustainable Is Polyester? “Polyester is created through an energy-intensive heating process and requires large  quantities of water for cooling.” Which this means  polyester manufacturing is water. 

Makeup brushes require transportation, and the type of transportation used to transport makeup brushes from the factories to stores is trucks. The variety of trucks used for transportation is semi-trucks. Semi-trucks are massive vehicles that are used primarily to transport and pull a lot of weight.  Trucks can use 35 to 50 liters of diesel fuel every 100 kilometers. According to How Many Miles is a Truck Driver Allowed to Drive in One Day? “ A truck driver can be beyond the wheel for a maximum of 11 hours in a 24-hour period. Based on average speed- along with other factors- a truck driver can be expected to travel roughly 500 on average.”  (Andrew, Beckmann) Which means that truck drivers drive 65 miles per hour. Truck drivers are only allowed to drive 60/70 hours and can’t drive more after that limit.  Diesel fuel might be less polluted, and it contains more usable energy than gasoline, but according to Diesel Fuel Explained, “ Diesel fuel produces many harmful emissions when it is burned.” Diesel has higher levels of NOx. Planes are also used to transport makeup brushes. The type of fuel that planes use is kerosene fuel, and the reason why kerosene fuel is used in planes is that it is less volatile than gas. Planes use kerosene to travel, and it uses 1 gallon of fuel (about 4 liters) every second. According to How much fuel does an international plane use for a trip?  “Over the course of a 10- hour flight, it burns 36, 000 gallons (150,000 liters)  747 burns approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile (12 liters per kilometer). But they are also bad for the environment because they release carbon dioxide (C02), which is really bad for the environment. After all, it causes climate change.  

As it is right now there’s no recycling process for synthetic makeup brushes. However, most of the raw materials on the synthetic brushes can be recycled. Aluminum is a raw material that can be recycled. The type of energy used to recycle aluminum is heat and electricity. According to  Environmental Factoid, “Can be recycled using less than 5 percent of the energy used to make the original product, Recycling one aluminum beverage can save enough to run 14 watt  CFL bulbs (60-watt incandescent equivalent).”  When recycling aluminum, 1 tonne of aluminum saves 9 tonnes of C02 emissions. According to How does recycling save energy? “In 2018, 3.7 million tons of aluminum were produced by  recycling in the United States.”  “It takes about 1/10th as much energy to recycle plastics as it does to create plastic from raw materials'' (Milton Kazmeyer). The process of recycling plastic takes sorting, shredding, cleaning, melting, and pelletizing.  Plastic microfibers are polluting waterways, and recycled polyethylene plastic is polluting more than its original form. Polyester is 100 % recyclable, and the recyclable process can be done mechanical or chemical. 

There’s no exact information on the waste of a makeup brush. Polypropylene can be melted and reformed to make new products.Some of the products includes clothing, fibers, food containers etc. When aluminium is thrown in landfills it takes for the aluminum around 200 years  to fully degrade. It takes 95% less energy than making the aluminum from raw materials.   Aluminum is shredded, and fed through an infrared sorter. From there the aluminum is melted down, and the temperature is 750 celsius.  According to  the article  A Whopping 9 percent  of Plastic Isn't Recycled it states “ more than 40 percent of plastic is used only once before it is thrown away, where it lingers in the environment for a  long time. It often break down into smaller and smaller particles, called microplates, which can be ingested by both animals and people.

 Overall this was the life cycle of makeup brushes and how energy plays a significant role when making manufacturing brushes. Makeup brushes are not suitable for the environment from looking at the life cycle. It uses a lot of energy when making makeup brushes, and we need to find better ways of manufacturing makeup brushes that won’t damage the environment around us.  We are being affected by this and animals because of the material energy that goes into producing the product.

Bibliography 

1. How much diesel does a truck use per kilometre?” (2020, March 16). Palmery Motors. https://www.palmerymotors.com/blog/how-much-diesel-does-a-truck-use-per-kilometre/

2. Andrews, M. (n.d.). “Semi trucks and mileage (everything you need to know)” – motorask. Retrieved November 15,  2021, from https://motorask.com/semi-trucks-mileage/

3. Beckmann, A. (n.d.). How Many Miles is a Truck Driver Allowed to Drive in One Day? Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://www.atsinc.com/blog/how-many-miles-truck-driver-allowed-drive-day

4. “Is diesel actually better for the environment?” (n.d.). RAC Drive. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/emissions/is-diesel-actually-better-for-the-environment/

5. “What type of fuel do airplanes use? “ (n.d.). Blog- Monroe Aerospace. (November 27, 2020, 2021, from https://monroeaerospace.com/blog/what-type-of-fuel-do-airplanes-use/

6. Kerosene fuel and associated risks - Right for Education. (2018, March 16). Right For Education Africa. https://rightforeducation.org/2018/03/16/kerosene-fuel-and-associated-risks-2/

7. “HowStuffWorks.com Contributors”. (2000, April 1). How much fuel does an international plane use for a trip? HowStuffWorks. https://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/modern/question192.htm

8. How does recycling save energy? (2014, June 17). American Geosciences Institute.https://www.americangeosciences.org/critical-issues/faq/how-does-recycling-save-energy

9. US EPA, OSWER, Office of Resource Conservation & Recovery. (n.d.). Environmental factoids. US EPA. November 14, 2021, from https://archive.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/smm/wastewise/web/html/factoid.html

10.  There are significant environmental benefits to recycling aluminium. (2017, June 29). Alupro.https://alupro.org.uk/industry/local-authorities/environmental-benefits/ 

11. How is a Makeup Brush Made? Do they use machines? (2019, December 10). Brush Creation. https://brushcreation.com/how-is-a-makeup-brush-made-do-they-use-machines/?v=7516fd43adaa

12. Williams, T. (2012, November 30). “Work in process at makeup brush factory”. Global Atlanta. https://www.globalatlanta.com/work-in-process-at-makeup-brush-factory/

    
    

    
    

Jennifer C. Ramos

Professor Cogdell

DES 40A

December 2, 2021

Make-up Brushes: Waste Emissions

    By 2028, the global cosmetics market is expected to accumulate 415.29 billion USD in market worth (“Cosmetics Market Size”). More than ever, make-up products have a profound societal and cultural impact on our everyday lives as consumers. One such product that stands out is the make-up brush. Make-up brushes come in a variety of sizes and shapes to fulfill the applicational needs of the consumer. The quality of make-up brushes can vary depending on their price point and manufacturer. Similar to many other mass-produced goods; make-up brushes are reflective of the values of today’s society in which many are produced with the mindset of quantity over quality. This has been shown to have devastating impacts on the environment and a lack of regard for the labor conditions of the workers who create these products. From blending to contouring to create more sustainable lifestyles consumers should take into account the key components of the products they purchase. A common combination of materials used to produce cost-effective, but low-quality, make-up brushes is that of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers, aluminum ferrules, and polypropylene plastic for the plastic handle.  All of which are very economically accessible, but are often not ethical in their means of production due to the significant contributions to waste byproducts, poor labor conditions, and environmental impact. To develop a better ethical means of consumption one must consider the life-cycle of the products they produce and invest in. 

    Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or popularly known as polyester is a commonly utilized oil-based synthetic fiber. It is very likely the clothes on your back are made of, or contain a blend, of the lightweight polymer material. In make-up brushes, it is used as the soft applicator strands that are glued into the brush’s ferrule. Polyester is sourced from fossil fuels that are processed into its two major components of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid (TPA). This is achieved by several processes that release hazardous materials such as benzene, xylene, toluene, and ethylbenzene. This also includes nitrogen oxides CO and SO2. Often during extraction chemicals and oils are spilled. In which significant damage to soil fertility and surrounding ecosystems occurs (Palacios-Mateo, van der Meer & Seide). 

Polyester in its manufacturing stage is processed into pellets for easier distribution purposes. Large amounts of CO2 are produced when transporting the product towards its destination via ships and trucks. The average U.S. freight truck is capable of emitting 161.8 grams of CO2 per ton-mile (Mathers).

During its initial transport, as pellets to different manufacturers, several spills contribute to microplastic waste. The pellets are processed into fiber materials that create another microplastic byproduct called microfibers that are capable of being airborne and inhaled by factory workers. Constant exposure to petrochemicals and microfibers via skin contact or inhalation can increase the likelihood of developing respiratory conditions such as allergies or asthma. In worse cases, longer exposure between 10 to 20 years can lead to lung cancer. Not unlike the link of asbestos material to mesothelioma.

Once applied to the brush’s ferrule the polyester fibers will stay secured, but after continuous use wear and tear of the product is expected. The polyester fibers will begin to shed from the brush’s ferrule and contribute to microplastic waste that goes unrecycled. Polyester is not a biodegradable material; causing a long post-consumer life. The overall waste material of the product can be recycled if every component from the brush is disassembled. Regardless, the majority of each is often placed in landfills.  (Palacios-Mateo, van der Meer & Seide). 

The polyester material is disposed of through incineration that creates toxic gases and residual ash; CO2, CO, benzene, large quantities of TPA, benzoic acid, acetaldehyde, and aliphatic C1-C4 hydrocarbons, and significant amounts of dioxins and furans. Every compound listed is hazardous for the environment and overall human health. This method of disposal is often preferred over landfilling due to the less amount of space required. The material can be depolymerized and have its core components of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid (TPA) retrieved. Recycling overall is unlikely to occur due to the lack of commercial interest and current infrastructure availability. (Palacios-Mateo, van der Meer & Seide). 

The second major component of a make-up brush is the ferrule. The ferrule can be created from many different materials but is often made of aluminum. Aluminum is created from a mined rock material called bauxite. The process of turning bauxite into alumina creates a waste byproduct called “Red Mud”. Alumina is a white crystalline substance that is synthetically produced into Aluminum. The major waste byproduct from its processing is carbon dioxide and perfluorocarbon gases (OECD, The Aluminum Association). Once reaching the hands of its consumer the aluminum ferrule can be susceptible to oxidization. Over time this will cause the ferrule to erode and chip away into dust (Duchesne, David). This will affect the make-up brush’s aesthetic appeal and the consumer will likely dispose of it.  

The aluminum ferrule can be recycled as well if removed from the brush’s other components. The majority of Aluminum waste management data is based around aluminum packaging and beverage cans (The Aluminum Association).  According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, ”In 2018, landfills received approximately 2.7 million tons of aluminum. This was 1.8 percent of all MSW landfilled that year.” The majority of aluminum is sent to landfills despite its recyclability as a material. 

The final major material utilized in the manufacturing of affordable make-up brushes is a type of plastic called Polypropylene. The material is described as,

...Polypropylene, a type of plastic, is strong and semi-transparent. It is heavier and stronger than polyethylene. It is used for packaging medicine, yogurt, ketchup, beverage, etc. Plastics made of polypropylene have no harmful substances and like polyethylene, polypropylene containers are considered safe for humans as packages for food and beverages (A Alabi, Ologbonjaye, Awosolu, and E Alalade).

 It is a common material that is used as the brush’s handle. In 2010 United States over five billion pounds of polypropylene were produced (Smith). It’s lightweight and flexible while sourced from petrochemicals. Just like polyester, the process of its polymerization creates excess wastewater byproducts that can leak into large bodies of water if mishandled by manufacturers. It is also a recyclable material that can be melted down at 4640F (2400C) and cut into granules for material redistribution. Even so, it’s more likely to be sent to a landfill in which it will take about 20 to 30 years to decompose. Polypropylene is one of the least recycled plastics (Smith). This is also supported by A Alabi, Ologbonjaye, Awosolu, and E Alalade ‘s research stating,” Since 1950 to 2018, about 6.3 billion tonnes of plastics have been produced worldwide, 9% and 12% of which have been recycled and incinerated, respectively... At the end-of-life of these plastics, they are usually land-filled together with municipal solid waste.” 

Once the brush is fully assembled it is ready to be packaged and distributed to various retailers and sold to consumers. The containers and packaging in which the product is delivered to the consumer contribute to a major portion of municipal solid waste (MSW). About 82.2 million tons of generation as of 2018 (EPA). Despite there being an avenue of sustainable means of disposing of the make-up brush after its use phase it is very likely the product will be sent to a landfill. The consumer must take this into account when purchasing their chosen brush. What may save them a few dollars can have a much more costly price in regards to our potential quality of life in the future. 

There is a need for intentional change in regards to the handling of waste materials that minimize their environmental impact. In such a small product that is primarily composed of three key materials a significant amount of waste is produced in just their processing alone. They are made to travel across considerable distances that generate an immense amount of CO2. Both plastics, Polyester and Polypropylene, come from fossil fuels that require extracting methods that are harmfully invasive to the environment. Their processing creates more opportunities for oil spills that can leak into large bodies of water. The overwhelming piles of microplastics that are ingested, but not digested, by the fish we consume. Yet, these are not the thoughts that will cross the thoughts of the consumer when purchasing an eight-dollar contouring and chiseling brush set.

A change in which we as consumers view the products we purchase is urgent. 

Bibliography 

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“Https://Www.epa.gov/Facts-and-Figures-about-Materials-Waste-and-Recycling/Aluminum-Material-Specific-Data.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/aluminum-material-specific-data.

Lavinia, Emily. “The Case For Natural Fibres vs Synthetic Fibres.” Compare Ethics, Compare Ethics, 20 May 2020, https://compareethics.com/natural-fibres-vs-synthetic-fibres/.

Mathers, Jason. “Green Freight Math: How to Calculate Emissions for a Truck Move.” EDF+Business, 6 Apr. 2021, https://business.edf.org/insights/green-freight-math-how-to-calculate-emissions-for-a-truck-move/.

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