Cruelty-free bath, body, and skincare that's majority vegan
[Beta Review] LUSH is rated Fair because it has started to improve its products and packaging, but still has room to grow.
LUSH is working to reduce a few ingredients that pose a threat to the climate, namely parabens and uncertified palm oil, but it doesn't commit to fully avoiding them. It utilizes packaging minimization strategies and alternative models to reduce its waste and emissions footprint, such as offering waterless formats and ephemeral packaging, and offering a widespread takeback program. It also uses majority-recycled plastic for its product containers. However, LUSH still uses some ingredients that pose a significant threat to the climate, including parabens, other petrochemical-based ingredients, and palm oil. LUSH hasn't provided an update on its emissions measurement since 2022, and it doesn't have emissions reduction targets.
LUSH is working to reduce some ingredients to lower its environmental impact, including by reducing uncertified palm oil and working to phase out parabens. It doesn't make commitments to fully avoid these ingredients. It still uses some ingredients that pose a significant threat to the climate, including parabens, SLS, and other petrochemical-based ingredients. Its products incorporate bio-based and/or biodegradable and organic ingredients. The majority of its products are Vegan or Vegetarian Society certified.
LUSH has made efforts to minimize the amount of material used in some of its product containers, including by offering solid formats and package-free products. It has made efforts to reduce virgin plastic in its product containers, and 90% of its packaging is recycled. It uses eco-friendly materials in its packaging, including ones that are reusable or recycled.
LUSH shares information on its energy strategy. It uses some renewable energy to power its production sites and storefronts. LUSH has targets for expanding its use of renewable energy to 100%, but the timeline is unclear. It implements energy efficiency measures in its offices and storefronts. It monitors its water usage but doesn't share any conservation or anti-pollution strategies. LUSH has a global production span, which is standard for the industry.
LUSH utilizes alternative models to avert waste for most products, including offering waterless formats and ephemeral packaging, and offering a takeback program. Its takeback program, 'Bring It Back', allows customers to return their product containers to stores to get a discount on a future order. It reports on the success of this program, sharing that more than 5 million containers have been returned since 2021. It offers bulk sizes for some products, which may help reduce packaging waste.
LUSH offers seasonal products or frequent releases, which can encourage overconsumption and production of excess inventory.
Commons is still evaluating this brand's marketing emails.
LUSH has a sustainability page on its corporate site with comprehensive details on its climate strategy. This page is hard to discover on its customer-facing website. It publishes an annual report with a clear, impact-driven strategy and progress reporting. Its last annual report was published in 2023. LUSH shares a complete list of ingredients used in its products, on a per product basis.
LUSH internally measures and publicly reports its company-level emissions It includes a breakdown by scope and identifies its top driver of emissions. It's transparent about the sizable carbon impact of its bath bomb production and use. Its last reporting period was back in 2022, and in this update its estimated emissions footprint was 195,105 tons CO2e.
Commons couldn't find emissions reduction targets for this brand. Commons couldn't find evidence that this brand offsets any emissions, but it reports on some insetting strategies.
LUSH doesn't publish information on its supply chain partners. It publicly shares a supplier code of conduct, which ensures the right to collective bargaining, prohibits forced labor, prohibits child labor, and includes environmental clauses. Its code of conduct doesn't disallow unauthorized subcontracting, ensure a living wage, or establish grievance mechanisms. LUSH has a stated policy of regularly auditing its supply chain partners, which can mitigate human and environmental risks, though these audits are focused on compliance with its non-animal testing policy. It has labor certifications within its supply chain, including Fairtrade.
Commons wasn't able to find evidence of any trade association memberships or any relevant policy for this brand. It's not a member of any key advocacy organizations that are blocking climate policy. LUSH isn't a member of advocacy organizations advancing climate policy. It doesn't employ any state lobbyists. LUSH didn't donate more than $100k to climate-obstructive candidates or PACs from 2018-2024.
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