Ethical cosmetics retailer Lush is switching its bottles to recycled plastic materials certified by global recycling scheme Prevented Ocean Plastic.
The retailer says over three million plastic bottles have been diverted from landfill thanks to the initiative, which sees discarded plastic bottles being picked up by plastic collectors in areas at risk of ocean plastic pollution.
Plastic used to make the new Lush clear bottles has been collected within 50km of an ocean coastline in Indonesia. The bottles are then taken to local collection centres for payment before being sorted and taken to plastic recycling factories.
The recycled plastic is fully certified and used by supermarkets and brands around the world.
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Lush had previously been using 100% recycled PET for its clear bottles for more than a decade.
The retailer, which has campaigned on issues including climate change, has introduced certified recycled Prevented Ocean Plastic across is bottle portfolio in different markets.
Now every time a customer takes home a product in a clear plastic bottle marked with the Prevented Ocean Plastic trademark, Lush says, they are “helping to protect marine ecosystems and the coastal communities who are at the forefront of the effects of ocean plastic pollution”.
Lush was one of a number of brands which encouraged its staff to go vegan for Veganuary to help reduce its impact on the planet and has also called for a ban on bee-harming pesticides.
It has also spent millions on upgrading its UK retail space in its last financial year.
