How to Dispose of Expired Makeup
Old cosmetics shouldn't just go in the bin. Here's how to empty, sort and recycle expired makeup and skincare responsibly.
3 min read · Updated July 2026
Empty before you toss
Scrape or wash out leftover product first — most recyclers won't take containers with residue. Liquids can go down the drain in small amounts; solids go in general waste.
Never pour large amounts of oil-based product down the sink, as it can clog pipes.
Sort the packaging
- Glass bottles and jars: rinse and recycle with glass.
- Plastic tubes and pumps: check the resin code; pumps often aren't recyclable and go to general waste.
- Compacts and mirrors: usually mixed materials — separate the metal pan if you can.
- Aerosols (dry shampoo, setting spray): empty fully, then recycle with metals where accepted.
Take-back and recycling programs
Several beauty retailers and brands run in-store take-back schemes for hard-to-recycle cosmetic packaging. Dropping empties there is the cleanest option.
Going forward, decoding batch codes when you buy helps you use products up before they expire — less waste to dispose of in the first place.