The Body Shop Brings Refill Stations To US To Scrub Plastic Waste Away Globally

Image via The Body Shop /  PR Newswire

The Body Shop has been helping to pump harmful plastics out of the environment by introducing in-store refill stations. For worldwide impact, it is now taking this concept to locations in the United States.

With this program, customers can top up products like shower gels, hand washes, shampoos, and conditioners using reusable aluminum bottles. Compatible cosmetics will vary from store to store.

“We want to empower more and more of you to reuse packaging rather than throw it away, so we’re making the most sustainable choice easy, convenient, and accessible,” the brand explains on its website. “By embracing the circular economy, we’re helping you eliminate waste before it hits the bathroom shelf.”

Image via The Body Shop

Participating stores include outlets in Austin, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, with a plan to roll out the program to 49% of all US branches.

Moving into its vision for zero-waste packaging, the UK-based brand began implementing in-store refill stations in April last year. Since then, it has cut down more than 3.7 tons of plastic. For context, that’s about 170,000 plastic bottles saved worldwide.

“The foundation of The Body Shop’s environmental activism was born out of ideas like these, when our founder, Dame Anita Roddick refilled her first bottle out of necessity in 1976,” details Hilary Lloyd, The Body Shop’s vice president of marketing and values in North America.

Image via The Body Shop

The Body Shop is looking to bring refill stations to most of its stores around the world by 2026.

[via Fashion United and Packaging Gateway, images via The Body Shop]