Recycled with Respect: How The Body Shop’s Packaging Is Powering Change for India’s Waste Pickers

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats to our planet. While most corporations look for ways to appear eco-friendly, The Body Shop has taken a bold step that marries sustainability with social justice—and India is at the heart of this transformation.

In partnership with the ethical recycling organization Plastics for Change, The Body Shop now uses community-traded recycled plastic in packaging its bestselling beauty and skincare products. But this isn’t just about the environment—it’s about people.

Giving Dignity to the Invisible Workforce

India has over 1.5 million waste pickers, most of whom operate in dangerous conditions without any job security, fair pay, or recognition. They are the invisible backbone of urban sanitation—sorting through garbage dumps and landfills to recover recyclable material.

The Body Shop and Plastics for Change are changing this reality. Their partnership ensures that plastic collected by these workers is purchased at fair trade prices, processed responsibly, and then reused to package everything from shampoos to lotions.

By doing so, the initiative:

  • Improves income stability for waste pickers

  • Offers safe working conditions

  • Provides access to healthcare and education

  • Elevates their role in the circular economy

This is sustainability with soul—where environmental goals don’t come at the cost of human dignity, but instead support it.

From Trash to Transformation

The recycled plastic used in The Body Shop’s packaging isn’t just a material—it’s a story. A story of transformation: from discarded waste to purposeful packaging, from social invisibility to empowerment.

The partnership also brings in transparency. Plastics for Change uses a blockchain-based platform to ensure ethical sourcing and traceability. Every bottle and jar thus becomes part of a larger commitment to a cleaner planet and a fairer world.

A Global Brand Rooted in Local Impact

What makes this initiative truly powerful is its local impact with global reach. The Body Shop, a brand recognized worldwide for ethical beauty, is investing in Indian communities and changing the way people view waste management.

Their move not only reduces virgin plastic production but also puts a human face on the fight against pollution—highlighting the stories and struggles of India’s waste pickers.

Toward a Greener, Fairer Future

In a world where greenwashing is rampant, The Body Shop stands out by taking real, measurable action. Their collaboration with Plastics for Change shows that brands can be both profitable and purposeful, and that sustainability must include the social dimension.

As consumers, every time we pick up a Body Shop product, we now also support a waste worker’s right to dignity, income, and hope.