#Japan #Tokyo #Lumine #Morn Garta #SminkArt

Morn Garta Partners with Lumine to Tackle Cosmetic Waste

Morn Garta, a Tokyo-based company specializing in sustainable practices, has announced a collaboration with Lumine to tackle the issue of cosmetic waste effectively. Their newly developed system allows users to part with unused cosmetics in a more engaging and efficient manner, making it easier than ever to recycle and repurpose.

In July 2025, the initiative kicked off in six Lumine locations, successfully collecting approximately 20,000 unwanted cosmetic items. To enhance the collection process's efficiency, Morn Garta plans to expand its efforts to 13 locations starting from January 2026, coinciding with the upcoming "Lumine Newman Ethical Carnival."

Background of the Initiative

According to a survey conducted by Morn Garta involving over 5,423 cosmetic users, 86.3% report that they cannot use up their color cosmetics, with more than half feeling guilty about disposing of them. On average, consumers have 7.4 unused cosmetic products at home, and this number jumps to 15.5 among avid makeup enthusiasts (14% of respondents). This significant waste issue prompted Morn Garta to partner with Lumine to facilitate better resource utilization for these dormant cosmetics.

The initial collection event in July 2025 yielded nearly 17,800 items, equating to around 445 kg of waste. However, the need to separate packaging from contents, and then further categorize those contents by color, presented operational challenges in terms of time and costs.

Innovative Collection and Sorting Scheme

To counter these difficulties, Morn Garta introduced a participatory event called the "Cosmetic Content Extraction Workshop." This workshop allows participants to engage actively in the sorting process, leading to a more convenient collection system where items are pre-sorted into containers for more efficient processing.

Participants have the option to either bring their own unwanted cosmetics for recycling or participate in sorting unsorted products stored by Morn Garta. The workshop, held on November 2, 2025, at Lumine Ogikubo, saw significant participation, with individuals expressing enjoyment at the concept of extracting the contents themselves. Many attendees shared feedback like, “I’ve never had the opportunity to extract my own important cosmetics before, making it a delightful experience.” This feedback suggests that the workshop successfully creates a new sustainable service model.

Upcycling Efforts

Collected cosmetics are repurposed using Morn Garta's patented technology called "magic water," transforming waste into multi-purpose colorants for applications like paints, crafts, and industrial uses. The process aligns with Morn Garta’s vision of creating a circular economy within the cosmetics sector. Throughout its history, Morn Garta has worked alongside numerous cosmetic companies to recover cosmetics from various sources and repurposes them into usable materials, showcasing its commitment to sustainability.

For instance, their existing upcycling initiative, titled "SminkArt®," allows for the transformation of excess cosmetics into functional products like colored inks and building materials. These efforts demonstrate the versatility of recycled cosmetic materials while highlighting their commitment to reducing waste.

Future Prospects

Looking ahead, Morn Garta aims to expand its collaboration with commercial facilities across Japan to gather and sort unused cosmetics from households nationwide, enhancing resource recycling processes. Morn Garta believes that such initiatives will not only improve sustainability in the cosmetics industry but also raise awareness and responsibility among consumers concerning their cosmetic waste.

In summary, this partnership with Lumine serves as a crucial step towards solving the cosmetic waste dilemma by encouraging public participation and effective recycling practices. Morn Garta continues to pioneer solutions in the beauty industry, fostering a culture of sustainability and encouraging responsible consumer behavior moving forward.