Last week Ulta employee does a tik tok video to bring “awareness to what typically happens with products when they are returned. ”The video show’s Bianca Ann Levinson disposing of goods when they come as returns. The video shows Bianca disposing several full sized or roughly used items in to the damage bin while addressing her frustrations.. This raised concerned for people eagerly watching. After reading the comments so many people consider this to be wasteful but the question is, is it wasteful or being precautious?

see thoughts below after we catch you up to speed:

BuzzFeed spoke to Bianca, who said she posted the video to spread awareness about what really happens to returned products. "I was truly shocked that this is how returns were handled," she explained. In the video, Bianca uses scissors to scrape unused eye shadow off of a palette and into the trash.
Discarding returned products is called "damaging out" in the industry, and Bianca said that when she first got the job, she had a hard time doing it to so many products — like the brand-new Kylie Lip Kit she had to ruin in the video. "As time went on, I learned why it had to be done and it didn’t bother me as much. The main reason why things are damaged out is because of the possibility of cross contamination. If a seal is broken, even if it is unused, we have to either destroy it, send it back to the vendor, or send to DC where it can properly be discarded," she said.
"When I work the register, I can honestly say about 45% of the people who come in that day are returning things. About 30% of the product returns are able to be put back on the shelf and the other 70% have to be damaged out and properly taken care of. We most definitely have over $1,000 worth of returned items per week. One time, I had a customer come in and return more than $300 worth of makeup that had to all be thrown out," Bianca said.

First video of bianca walking tic tok through the process.

Second video of bianca showing the condition of some of the palettes.

Here are my thoughts after working in the beauty industry for many years in all sorts of environments you see it all. I’ve worked in several layers of beauty which gives me different perspectives. I was once the person who damaged the returns. I was also once the person who looked at returns to identify how it represented a factor in the brands productivity. When it comes to returning items, it’s no mystery stores depose of items that are being returned. However this is not something that happens to just one retailer. Several companies use this method to get rid of items that are being returned. Some take additional measured to ensure the products are thrown away safely. Watching this video takes me back to one of my first beauty retail jobs I remember feeling this same concern with products being returned and going to waste. Until one day I had someone return a strivectin cream. This took place when strivectin was the most sought after neck cream you can purchase for anti-aging. I asked the customer “was the product used” her response “No it wasn't used I just had a change of heart.“

After returning her “unused item” in the box. Something in my gut told me this was off. I opened the box, open the jar and the cream was PINK. There was no need to put my face close to the jar in order to realize she refilled the jar with Johnson & Johnson baby lotion. This product was visibly unused the box didn't look tampered with. Generally an item like this would return to the shelf because it was not used. In that very moment my concern for why this process took place went away. This happen over 10 years ago so I can only imagine how innovative the returners are now. Safety comes first, What it typically cost to make a product vs. what it’s sold for I’m sure returns are factored in the overall cost of the goods. If disposing of goods does not hurt and or will help prevent some else from buying another person return I think this is the safest option. You truly don't know what happens with that product once it leaves the store.

One of my biggest concern is what happens to the waste when it’s done. Is it recycled? (some retailers do ) For a large majority chances are it’s not. This creates a lot of unnecessary waste.

My other question is if Bianca is aware of this method that takes place and understands why. What exactly is she bringing awareness to?

What are your thoughts ?

What are your thoughts on dumpster diving for make-up?

Join the writers on Meetpepperb.com as we have a dialogue on our thoughts about dumpster diving for makeup.

Feel free to join in by meeting us in the comment section:

Pepper: What drove me to write about dumpster diving is one day while on a work trip. I took a late night walk to Seven11 to get some essentials with a coworker, as we were leaving she mention this pile of food that was being locked up and put in the trash. I mentioned to her during my first high school job at Starbucks I would take all the leftover food and give it to the homeless shelter a few doors down. Thereafter she mentions " Well that I understand and thats amazing because the food just goes to waste and thats horrible" This is a real thing and some people who have lower income and no means to feed there family dumpster diving is something that works for them. I couldn't fault them either If I had no way to feed my family it would consist of whatever it takes. My co worker proceeds " What I don't get is the dumpster diver for make-up" at the this point the weird horror music begin to play. My mouth hit the floor all though I am in beauty Ive never heard of this before. I begin to do what I do best and I start to research deeper and this was best video I could find to describe this action in a nutshell please video right below and proceed for our dialouge

Danyelle 3/13/17

What you have is $6,000 worth of high-risk infection.

Did she say her mom!?! Mami, no!!!! These are not skills we want to be carried from generation to generation! Maybe I’m a snob, but the idea that these girls are going to put conditioner-soaked-dumPSTER-EYEshadow on their EYES just made me sick. Repressing an eyeshadow is NOT CLEANING IT!!!! Please just apply to work at a makeup store so you can enjoy the gratis! Being broke isn’t even a reason. Hi, I’d like to introduce you ELF cosmetics. You can snatch your face for the price of that Tarte palette you ‘cleaned.’

The lipstick. Jesus. How could you put something that was in the trash on your face let alone your mouth! You are not trying to keep yourself fed. Makeup is a luxury at all price ranges. I love makeup, but this is not worth the risk! I’m sorry, but the girl is going through the skincare talking about pore cleansing but you about to rub dumpster lipstick on your lips. Where is the sense?

Danyelle 3/13/17

Omg. Never have I ever wanted to be an internet troll in my life.

“I do plan on doing a giveaway.” No thanks, boo. That’s all you. For you and only you.

I had to scroll through the comment section, and look what found:

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-ONE LIKES!!!! I am all about making friends, but you cannot be bonding over finding trash to put on your face.

Danyelle 3/13/17

I’m sorry that your circumstances are have led you to dig in the trash so you can find makeup. I do not take for granted how lucky I am to even be able to buy the products I love. But, honey, there are other methods. There are organizations that donate makeup to people in need. Here is one of them called Project Beauty Share.

3/20/2017 @Acevalle

“Over $6700 worth of dirt and dignity. Excuse me for being overly dramatic but this video left some scars. I’m a germaphobe and I honestly don’t even really like applying the testers at Sephora on my face let alone take something out of a dumpster… not trash can… HUGE Dumpster… that you have to climb in that was combined with other trash. OH THE HORROR.. The Bacteria floating Horror. WHY? What would possess you to dig in a dumpster late at night? Why would you risk infection and life long pink eye? Is it desperation? At this point I’m not only horrified but also incredibly curious. Just because you rubbed a little alcohol and melted that disgusting lipstick palette does not mean it is disinfected, if anything you just blended the melted product and remaining germs together. I’m so incredibly disturbed that this seems like a family activity and you can even hear children in the background in complete awe of the massive amount of items that were found. I understand that there are some products that are pricey and you lust for them but like I grew up very poor but every time I had birthday money or with every little job I could snag, I’d save up for a product I’ve been lusting after. Plus there are a lot of great products out there for less that 5 dollars!!!! this is unnecessary. Not to sound naive but I don’t even think money is the case here, They live in a house and have a car and wifi and a computer and phone to upload to youtube. I’m curious as to why this girl and her fam are doing this? I NEED TO KNOW!! I don’t want to come off as mean or anything like that but I’m just so bothered because this is just so gross and unhealthy to the largest organ of our bodies… our skin! as well as Eyes, and Mouth/Lips also pride.

What I find totally shocking is THE FOLLOWING this girl has… almost hitting 10,000 subscribers. They all aspire to dig trough the dumpsters near their local ultras to grab products!!! Lawd!!!!!”

— @acevalle

Deanna P

Conceptually it sounds like fun. You jump into a dumpster & rummage around for valuables & when you find some you feel like you hit the Jackpot! On the other hand you are in a dirty dumpster with garbage, possibly rodents & roaches, & whatever else someone has discarded. The thought of this outweighs the feeling of finding something valuable. I would opt out & find a more sure & cleaner way of finding a treasure like getting to the end of a rainbow!

Comment below & tell us your thoughts!!!!!!!