We love the idea of a Green Officer, and think every company should have one! Is that your official title? Why did LUSH decide to create that position?
First, there is no such thing as an “official” anything at LUSH! My business card says “Environmental Officer” and everyone calls me “Green Officer” — either is fine. LUSH decided to fill this role as with so much growth, they were looking for a dedicated individual to oversee their environmental initiatives.
We’ve always sung LUSH’s praises for being a socially responsible company in terms of packaging, ingredients, charitable efforts. How does your position complement all those efforts that are already part of the company’s philosophy?
LUSH’s philosophy is simple. Our values are deeply rooted in the basic principles of stewardship to people, animals and the planet. We are a family and operated under the belief that one hand feeds the other.
What is your biggest goal as a Green Officer?
My goal is to always be as human as possible. To affect change, I need people to trust that I have their best interest in mind.
What are the challenges you face in that position?
Sustainability is a practice of choosing your battles. There never is a perfect solution that will magically make plastics disappear or eat up emission pollution. So, there is never a cut-and-dried determination that can be made for any one problem we face. The most difficult challenge is when there is absolutely no business case to be made for a financial investment. Then it comes down to the line of reasoning that “It’s the right thing to do,” which is never an easy point to contention.
What are you most proud of having accomplished?
I am lucky to work with a wonderful group of passionate individuals. I am most proud of our workforce. They are an amazing group of passionate activists, who aren’t afraid to take on new challenges and fight for what’s right. Anything I throw at them, they rise to the occasion. I really accomplish more than what can be mentioned because of their support. The people of LUSH are what make me most proud.
Tell us about some of the specific projects or issues you’re working on.
Oh my, too many to answer all in one sitting! Let’s see, there’s the Zero Waste initiative, the Eco-Warrior program roll-out (our green team’s name) for both retail shops and manufacturing facilities, the Sustainable Soap-ply Chain model for greening our procurement, emissions accounting …
What are some of the unique things LUSH does every day to help the planet?
Well, here are a few, for starters:
We design products that need no preservative and no packaging, making our products green from the moment they are born. More than 60% of our global sales are unpackaged products.
Every year we save three million plastic bottles from being used and thrown away by selling naked shampoo bars around the world. We reduced our palm oil consumption by 250 tons a year simply by changing our soap base, which helps to save our rainforests and the orangutans that depend on it for life.
We have an in-store return program for incentivizing our customers to return our #5 plastic black pots to us. Customers receive a free fresh face mask in return for their old used pots and we upcycle them into new products.
Our store carrier bags are made with 100% post-consumer recycled paper and are recyclable and compostable.
Our gifts, lovingly wrapped in 100% recycled paper, saved over 1000 trees and 90,000 pounds of greenhouse gases last year.
The products that leave our manufacturing facilities and web sales center are all packed in 100% post-consumer recycled cardboard boxes, taped with water-based paper tape and packed with either repurposed cardboard or recycled Lush Times, making the packages completely recyclable anywhere. Even the “popcorn” filler in our gift boxes and web order packages are 100% corn-based, so they are biodegradable and compostable.
The industrial plastic wrap that holds our store shipments together is biodegradable and recyclable.
All of the materials our design team uses for window displays are recyclable or reusable.
We know that LUSH products are “green.” How does that mission translate to your work environment? How are the LUSH offices “green?”
Our workshop makes all LUSH furniture from certified sustainably forested pinewood, to ensure that we are not adding to deforestation. In ordering recycled paper for our administrative functions last year, we saved over 300 trees, 140,000 gallons of water, 680 gallons of oil and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 28,000 COe (carbon dioxide equivalents). Between both of our manufacturing facilities in Toronto and Vancouver, we composted over 100 tons of organic waste and recycled over 200 tons of recyclables last year.
What special activities or products does LUSH have planned for Earth Day?
I will be rolling out our new retail green team program (mentioned earlier) and have encouraged all of our shops to get out and volunteer for something green!
What’s your personal favorite LUSH product? Why?
People ask me this all the time. The truth is, I don’t have one! I love all our products. If I were forced to choose, I would likely go with Trichomania solid shampoo. I don’t use it just as shampoo, though. I use it as soap, too! I absolutely love the creamy rich coconut smell. It makes me think I live on tropical island and forget I’m in the cold Pacific Northwest!
Can you give readers some easy tips for being responsible citizens of the Earth?
Just be negative! With everything you do, try to reduce it to little or none at all. Whether it’s waste, energy or water — always think negative!
What should consumers look for when buying beauty products?
Packaging. It is my biggest pet peeve. There are so many wonderfully natural beauty product options from reputable companies available on the market. So try to put your “dollar vote” on the ones that use the least gimmicky marketing in their packaging.
I’m on it. so excited to learn of these products…all the right considerations. thanks
I LOVE Lush products. The store design is fantastic, the packaging and products are wonderful. It definitely makes you feel good to go into a store that you know is working to honor integrity in its business practices.
I especially appreciate the comments by Shama in the eSSSence section of this article. Well said Shama!
Rich
Founder of Distant Village Packaging