Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating General Re-using an HDPE squeeze bottle for lotions

  • Re-using an HDPE squeeze bottle for lotions

    Posted by Margaret on January 19, 2021 at 6:00 pm

         If one was to start with a NEW HDPE squeeze bottle, use it for lotion, then do the following as described below, can it be re-used? I know plastics are porous, so maybe the answer will be no even with cleaning.

    Wash the bottle of remaining/clinging lotion in soapy water.
    Sanitize it with Aseptox (it releases hydrogen peroxide. It is used by home-brewers to sanitize bottles)
    Rinse with tap water (that was boiled and cooled)
    Allow it to dry
    Spritz with 70% ethanol before it’s refilled.

      Thanks for any comments!

    Margaret replied 3 years, 3 months ago 3 Members · 7 Replies
  • 7 Replies
  • Dr Catherine Pratt

    Member
    January 19, 2021 at 6:47 pm

    Sounds good!!! Happy Formulating cheers Dr Pratt

  • Microformulation

    Member
    January 21, 2021 at 2:30 pm
    I would say no, but I am always conservative. If you look at it from a risk versus benefit ratio, it is theoretically a source of contamination and bottles aren’t a huge expense in the big picture.
  • Margaret

    Member
    January 22, 2021 at 3:24 pm

    I agree with plastic bottles theoretically being a source of contamination, but, I thought with the soapy washing, hydrogen peroxide, then alcohol spritz (before refilling) it would be reusable instead of just ending up in the landfill  :'(.

  • Microformulation

    Member
    January 22, 2021 at 3:56 pm

    Yes, but is it good cGMP? There are other ways to address sustainability in your line without compromising an aspect of your preservative system.

  • Margaret

    Member
    January 22, 2021 at 6:21 pm

    The plastic bottle re-use is so for MY own evil purposes, no one else’s. I know that’s a stupid excuse, but I am not afraid to say I often do stupid things 😁.  I am not immune-compromised in any way, and there are no plant extracts or other microbe-enhancing ingredients in my lotions, plus I am using liquid Germall + at 0.5% (I think that’s the max. safe level).  Thank you for the warning. I might re-think the re-use after all. We’re so screwed anyhow, environmentally,
    my re-using a plastic bottle will do nothing, in the big picture. 

  • Microformulation

    Member
    January 22, 2021 at 6:38 pm

    Just my advice, but I would read up on some Technical Journals, especially ones that discuss sustainability measures. There are other ways; limited packaging, low water Formulas, humanitarian reinvestment in your raw material sources, cold processing, and many others. You can gain an advantage by striving to be more sustainable, rather than just saying you are natural. https://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Article/2020/02/20/Sustainable-Beauty-strategies-for-the-2020s

  • Margaret

    Member
    January 22, 2021 at 6:57 pm

    Thanks for the article link. 

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