The Body Shop is rolling out product refill stations across its stores globally, as a way of encouraging more eco-friendly forms of consumer behaviour.
The cosmetics retailer said it is putting refill stations in 400 stores around the world in 2021, with a further 400 stores set to introduce the service in 2022.
The Body Shop said it is taking this action to help more people opt out of packaging, and eliminate waste before products reach the bathroom shelf. The retailer said it wants refill stations to become mainstream and this is the first step in the company’s five-year plan to roll them out in most of their stores worldwide.
The concept first appeared in The Body Shop stores in the early 1990s, but the business acknowledged “the world was not ready” at the time.
“Now the world is ready and in need, The Body Shop is bringing refills to everyone, making the most sustainable choice irresistible,” the retailer stated.
“Together, each of our small acts can make a big difference. You see, the beauty industry is in urgent need of a makeover. Every year, the sector generates billions of pieces of packaging, most of which is plastic that ends up in landfill or in our oceans.”
It added: “And while more and more of us are trying hard to reduce our impact on the planet, we can’t do it without brave, transformative acts from the businesses we love.”
The Body Shop’s refill station concept encourages consumers to pick up a refillable aluminium bottle and choose from 12 of the brand’s shower gels, shampoos, conditioners and hand washes.
Once the product has been used up, customers are urged to rinse the bottle, bring it back and refill it, thus preventing packaging waste.
The Body Shop stores in the UK where refill stations are already in place are, as follows:
- Chester Foregate
- Cheshire Oaks
- Crawley County Mall
- Brixton, London
- Islington, London
- White City, London
- Birmingham Bullring
- Guildford
- Swansea
- London’s Bond Street
- Wimbledon
- Preston
- Wigan
Read more about refill stations on Green Retail World
[Image credit: The Body Shop]
