Packaging is kind of a big deal at Zerra & Co.

Our mission is all about finding the intersection between sustainability and accessibility, so we want to make sure we get the best cosmetics in your hands with the least impact on the environment as possible.

For example, our best selling product - The Mascara - has prevented over 13,000 mascara tubes from entering the landfill since its launch in 2018 (as of 03/31/25). This equals almost 550 lbs. of trash - we’d say that’s a pretty big deal indeed!

While being 100% plastic-free is the ultimate goal, there are some small plastic components in products that are necessary. And we want to be completely up front and transparent about any and all packaging you receive when you shop with us. We strive to eliminate single-use plastic and only incorporate plastic we feel can be reused over and over if no other alternatives exist.

That’s why we put together this quick guide to all packaging at Zerra & Co. so you know exactly what you’re getting every time you place an order with us, and you can rest assured there won’t be any plastic surprises when you open the box!

Product Packaging

All of our packaging is either biodegradable/compostable, refillable, and/or eligible for our container return program, with the least amount of plastic used as possible. Our most used product packaging materials are glass, aluminum, paperboard and bamboo.

You'll find plastic in places like the wands/reducers in The Mascara. However, the container is glass and the lid is made from bamboo. We make refills for this product so these plastic components can be re-used over and over again. 

We also use plastic pumps on our skincare bottles as no other alternative exists, but offer refills with metal lids so these can be re-used too.

Container Return Program

Low waste packaging is pretty great, but we also sweeten the deal when you buy from Zerra & Co. with our container return program.

Did you know that in 2017 the EPA reported that only 27% of discarded glass and just 9% of plastic was actually recycled? Big yikes. So send your glass and metal containers back to us instead and help keep them out of landfill.

You can return any of your glass or metal containers from Zerra & Co. in good, working condition with the lids. Once we receive your containers, we make sure everything is in working condition, then thoroughly clean and reuse them. Any part of any Zerra & Co container is eligible. 

Shipping

We didn’t stop at zero and low waste packaging options, either. Nothing is worse than ordering an eco-friendly product and then seeing it arrive covered in plastic or worse, styrofoam.

We only use compostable starch peanuts and the rest of our shipping materials are entirely paper based and are made from 100% recycled materials or up cycled from shipments we receive. This helps us close the loop on our shipping materials, and keeps us and our wonderfully sustainable customers happy!

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We hope that answers all your questions about our low waste packaging practices, but if not, feel free to reach out to us anytime at wholesale@zerraco.com.