Lush Takes Bold Step to Combat Ocean Plastic Pollution with Prevented Ocean Plastic™ Initiative
LUSH, the beloved British cosmetics retailer, continues to push the envelope in sustainable packaging, furthering its mission to “Leave the world lusher than we found it.” In an exciting global expansion, the company is introducing Prevented Ocean Plastic™ to its product line—marking a significant leap forward in its efforts to reduce ocean plastic pollution.
Lush has been a pioneer in eco-friendly packaging for years, using 100% recycled PET for its clear bottles for over a decade. Now, they’re stepping up their commitment by integrating Prevented Ocean Plastic™ into their 100ml, 250ml, and 500ml bottles across UK stores. Through their partnership with Spectra Packaging, Lush is sourcing certified recycled plastic collected from coastal areas at risk of plastic pollution, helping to clean up oceans while supporting vulnerable communities.
This initiative is already rolling out across Lush’s manufacturing sites in Germany and Croatia, with North America and Japan to follow later this year. The brand’s larger 1L bottles are also set to transition to Prevented Ocean Plastic™ by the end of the year, further solidifying Lush’s global commitment to sustainability.
For every clear plastic bottle marked with the Prevented Ocean Plastic™ logo that a customer takes home, they’re actively contributing to marine conservation efforts. Lush explains, “Our customers are helping to protect marine ecosystems and the coastal communities most affected by ocean plastic pollution.”
The process behind Prevented Ocean Plastic™ involves collecting plastic waste from coastal areas, transporting it to collection centers, and sending it through recycling facilities. From there, the recycled material is distributed to packaging manufacturers, who supply Lush and other retailers with eco-friendly packaging solutions.
Spectra Packaging’s Sales Director, Jonathan Powell, shared his enthusiasm for the project: “The Prevented Ocean Plastic™ initiative offers a proactive solution to combat ocean plastic pollution while providing socio-economic benefits to at-risk coastal communities. Partnering with Lush, a brand that shares our vision for driving positive change, allows us to make a significant impact together.”
Lush’s Creative Buying team echoes these sentiments, with Karolina Michalska noting, “The Prevented Ocean Plastic™ Programme not only prevents tonnes of plastic from entering the oceans, but it also supports communities in high-risk areas and ensures greater transparency in the supply chain. This is what we mean by leaving the world lusher than we found it.”
In addition to the Prevented Ocean Plastic™ initiative, Lush encourages customers in 17 markets to participate in its “Bring it Back” scheme. Since its launch in 2021, this program has seen 2.27 million items returned for recycling, diverting approximately 55.5 tonnes of plastic waste from landfills—equivalent to the weight of 63 polar bears!
At the heart of Lush’s environmental efforts is its UK-based Green Hub, a facility dedicated to developing circular economies and closing the loop on packaging waste. With six core teams working together, the Green Hub is committed to reusing, repurposing, repairing, and recycling materials from across Lush’s operations.
Through initiatives like Prevented Ocean Plastic™ and Bring it Back, Lush continues to lead by example, proving that eco-conscious business practices can create a meaningful impact on the world. As this program expands globally, customers can take pride in knowing that their purchases not only support a brand committed to sustainability but also help protect our oceans and the communities that rely on them.
