The beauty brand is working with waste pickers in India to create and then use Community Trade, recycled plastic in some of their products.
This is a welcome move when, according to Greenpeace, more than 90% of plastic produced is never recycled.
Community Trade recycled plastic helps tackle the existing plastic waste problem, while empowering waste pickers in India with access to more sanitary working conditions, a fair price and the respect and recognition they deserve.
These workers in India make a living by sorting through plastic by hand and are often exploited. They are vulnerable to police and face the threat of constant displacement.
Our NEW Community Trade Recycled Plastic couldn’t be possible without people like Sadashiviah. Discover how we’re working with environmental entrepreneurs like Sadashiviah to help fight for the planet! #CommunityTradePlastic pic.twitter.com/DQni1y5SuC
— The Body Shop (@TheBodyShop) May 23, 2019
The Body Shop’s Community Trade partners, Plastics for Change, are a for-profit organisation that partners with local NGOs Hasiru Dala and Hasiru Dala Innovation to provide Bengaluru’s waste pickers with a stable income and greater opportunities.
In 2015, the price waste pickers received for plastic they collected dropped by 60%. and this price has recently dropped even further. The initiative by Plastics for Change is making a practical difference in changing that reality.
On their way to becoming a more sustainable brand, The Body Shop has started to use the Community Trade, recycled plastic in their 250ml Shampoo and Conditioner bottles.
Did you know that over 3 billion people live without formal waste management? It’s time to tackle the plastic crisis differently. We’re working with waste pickers in India to create Community Trade plastic to fight for people and the planet! #CommunityTradePlastic pic.twitter.com/w8u8jDDV6n
— The Body Shop (@TheBodyShop) May 27, 2019