We are committed to establishing practices that eliminate waste and support the continued use of our packaging. To this end, our Packaging team are continuing to research refill and circular solutions that demonstrate a tangible environmental benefit while also maintaining product quality.
As part of this research, Aesop is undertaking a circular packaging solution trial. The trial launched in October 2020 across our stores in Adelaide, Australia and allows customers to bring back a select number of products once depleted. Each returned bottle is collected from store, transported to our laboratory located in Melbourne, cleaned, sanitised, refilled, re-labeled and returned to store for customers to purchase.
In 2021, Aesop conducted its first In-Store Refill Trial, in its South Yarra store in Melbourne. As part of this trial, we are gaining learnings that will help us shape our expansion into other stores and markets in the future. In December 2022, we welcomed Aesop QV as the second location to participate in the In-Store Refill trial.
Currently the products offered in refill format include Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash, Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser and Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser. We are looking to expand this range over time.
Whilst the results differ week on week, we are starting to see a trend towards a higher percentage of customers opting for our refill solution over our rPET alternative, showing a high level of engagement from our customers in the initiative.
Further to this work, a replenishment option for the majority of our 500mL hand and body care cleansing products, featuring a screw-cap in place of a pump, is available globally. Each time a customer reuses a pump when replenishing a product results in a 12-gram reduction in plastic.
The following products are currently offered with a screw-cap option; others will follow in the future:
- Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash 500mL
- Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash 500mL
- Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser 500mL
- A Rose By Any Other Name Body Cleanser 500mL
- Coriander Seed Body Cleanser 500mL
- Citrus Melange Body Cleanser 500mL.
We invite you to read more about our refill initiative on our Circularity page.