More than just a Business Model: The Body Shop’s Lasting Impact on Sustainability and Communities
(Image Source: The Body Shop)
The recent news regarding The Body Shop’s challenges in the UK has undoubtedly grabbed headlines. I feel compelled to share a different perspective – one that highlights the enduring positive impact of our long-standing partnership with The Body Shop.
Our Shared Journey:
Our story began in 2016 with an ambitious goal of not just using recycled plastic but using plastic as a resource to uplift the lives of thousands of informal waste workers.
The body shop provided Plastics For Change with a small grant to help us kickstart this initiative, but more importantly they provided in-kind support to help us implement the fair trade standards in our supply chain. We were able to adopt systems from The Body Shop’s community fair trade program and apply it to the informal waste economy. Over the years, we set up the world’s first fair trade supply chain for collection of post consumer plastic in India that provides steady income opportunities for individuals from marginalised communities.
Everything that we learnt about designing an efficient supply chain, quality, project management, being impact driven and people centric is taught to us by various team members at The Body Shop.
Our collaboration with them goes beyond mere branding. So far, we have:
Diverted over 2,424.13 metric tons of plastic from polluting our oceans, contributing to a cleaner environment.
Empowered nearly 8,203 waste collectors and segregators with fair wages and improved working conditions, fostering economic independence and dignity.
Reduced carbon emissions by 5,090.7 kg/ton through responsible waste management practices, combating climate change.
Established ethical sourcing practices across the entire supply chain, ensuring fair treatment and respect for all individuals involved.
This partnership extends far beyond just collecting plastic. We actively work to uplift the lives of waste pickers and their families. We:
Provide access to essential social services such as healthcare, education, and financial support, fostering holistic well-being within these communities.
Empower women waste collectors to become entrepreneurs and achieve financial independence, breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting gender equality.
Organise community development programs to raise awareness about critical issues like climate change and vaccination, fostering a more informed and empowered citizenry.
I still remember the day we first empowered those women waste pickers through our entrepreneurship program. Their initial nervous smiles gradually transformed into confidence as they took charge of their own businesses. It was a moment that filled me with immense pride, a powerful reminder that our work with The Body Shop goes far beyond just recycling plastic. It transforms lives and communities, creating ripples of positive change.
Setting the record straight:
During the Covid period, The Body Shop locations in malls and airports were impacted because of the low footfall. Nonetheless, consumer sentiment towards ethically sourced materials is stronger now than ever before.
While the situation is multifaceted, I firmly believe that our shared journey serves as a powerful example of how sustainable sourcing can create a positive and lasting impact. The innovative supply chain we co-created continues to empower waste pickers in India, and the lessons learned from this collaboration remain invaluable to us and continue to be modelled successfully for various brand partnerships.
Highlighting these successes is crucial, not just to set the record straight, but also to inspire and encourage continued investment and innovation in sustainable practices.
Looking ahead:
I, Andrew Almack, at Plastics For Change remain proud of the transformative impact we achieved alongside The Body Shop. We are committed to our mission of collecting the plastic waste from the oceans and empowering waste pickers, promoting environmental sustainability, and fostering positive social change. We look forward to the future, continuing to build impactful partnerships and driving meaningful progress towards a more just and sustainable world.
Learn more about Plastics For Change and our impact: