As the cost of living rises, inflation increases, and consumerism becomes more rampant, many people are starting to realize that these costs are adding up and their spending habits are not sustainable. Not only that, but people are tired of the clutter it causes in their home, the amount of waste it creates, and the negative environmental impacts. As a result, two anti-consumerism and waste-reducing trends have popped up in 2025 known as “Project Pan” and “No-Buy 2025” this year and it’s still not too late to get “in” on the trend.
What is “Project Pan?”
Project Pan is a challenge created by makeup and beauty enthusiasts to encourage finishing a product to its very last drop/crumb, or in the case for makeup, until you can see the pan the makeup was in, before buying a new product. To avoid waste, this challenge especially includes using products that you didn’t like in alternative and creative ways. For example, using eyeshadow as paint or face wash as body wash.
How to Practice Project Pan:
- Use what you have!
- Avoid buying products just because you see it trending on social media
- Stop buying multiples of makeup, skincare, and other beauty products until you are completely finished with the ones you already have
- Unsubscribe from marketing emails from beauty brands
- Use products you have excess of/are not using in creative ways. Some ideas for inspiration:
- Shampoo -> Hair
- Setting Powders -> Dry Shampoo
- Facial Skincare -> Body Skincare
- Lipsticks, Eyeshadows, Foundation, etc. -> Paint
- Shampoo -> Hair
Are Beauty Product Containers/Packaging Recyclable?
Some are, but many unfortunately are not. Here is a brief guide on how to dispose of common beauty products:
Recycle empty and dry:
- Hard plastic bottles
- Paperboard boxes
If any of your beauty products still have product in them such as liquids, creams, oils, or balms, empty it out before recycling. If you cannot get the product out, landfill the item.
Landfill
- Squeeze Tubes
- Ex. Shampoo, facial cleanser, lip gloss
- Glass bottles (This type of glass cannot be recycled)
- Ex. Foundation, concealer, serums
- Small Plastics (less than 2-inch)
- Ex. Lip products, concealer, mascara
- Soft Plastics
- Ex. Face mask packets, sample sachets
- Other Common Items
- Ex. Face masks, cotton rounds, cotton swabs, tissues, makeup sponges, pimple patches
What is “No-Buy 2025?”
No-buy is exactly what it sounds like: refraining from buying! Similarly to Project Pan, No-Buy aims to combat overconsumption and consumerism, save money, and reduce waste by encouraging people to not buy things they simply do not need. However, this challenge is not exclusive to just makeup and beauty products, it’s for everything! This includes clothing, home décor, accessories, takeout, technology, books, etc., but can exclude essential items like healthcare, groceries, utilities, housing, and transportation.
There are many online influencers who have shared videos on their personal rules for their No-Buy 2025 journey such as:
- No buying of:
- New clothes or shoes (some even refrain from thrifting!)
- Perfume
- Jewelry
- New technology or devices
- Takeout (some allow once a month)
- Books
- Coffee or tea
- Manicures or salon visits
- Mugs or water bottles
- Using only one TV/movie streaming service
- Deleting shopping apps
- Avoiding trips to major shopping chains
All of these items’ costs can add up quickly if purchased often! For some people, cutting these everyday purchases can save thousands of dollars a year. If you’re looking for a challenge, try picking five things you can commit to this year to help save money and reduce waste. You might surprise yourself and end up resisting the purchase of more than five of these items!
While following trends usually contribute to consumerism on social media platforms Project Pan and No-Buy 2025 help promotes the opposite! Try out these cost-saving and waste-reducing trends this year and see how much of an impact it can make on your life and the environment!