Literature review

Because of its numerous ecological initiatives, Lush has established a unique niche for itself
in the UK and globally in the organic cosmetics market. We focused on the most important
sustainable operations and created a model that highlighted them after analysing Lush's
sustainable practices from several research papers, newsletters and articles.

The Manufacturer clarified in its story that Lush employs 12,000 people at seven
manufacturing sites across the globe who were trained to follow manual instructions and
create fresh, hand-made items.7. Since the majority of the staff members are compounders,
each product's batch sticker features their names and faces, instilling in them a sense of task
and creative identity. The cornerstone of the business framework of the organisation is
sustainability.

Manufacturing efforts

In the article, the Manufacturer explains that Lush has seven manufacturing sites around the
world and employs 12,000 employees who are trained to follow manual instructions to make
fresh, hand-made products. Most of these employees are compounders and a sense of work
and creativity is instilled in them through their names and faces on each batch sticker.

Sustainability is at the heart of Lush's business model and forms the core of the organization's
identity to stakeholders. For instance, lush has created several sustainable innovations (such
as shampoo bars that are plastic-free and do not require packaging).

In 2017 the company announced that they were phasing out palm oil and palm kernel oil and
were in the process of phasing out all palm oil derivatives from their products. One of the
biggest opportunities for palm oil removal was in their soap base, which was made in the UK
and was palm oil-based. They collaborated with the manufacturer to create palm-free soap
flakes as well as palm-free soap noodles, which are now standard worldwide.

Energy consumption

Lush plays a sustainable role, particularly in the transport of raw materials, end products and
even the transportation of employees. The company’s strategic goal has been to decrease
energy consumption and increase the availability of renewable energy. The company has a
dedicated energy manager to track and track the potential energy savings in the business (e.g.
in wirings, building materials or roof insulation) and has direct control of the operations and
plans for energy saving. The company is installing solar panel capacity at various locations.

Packaging, Recycling and Re-use Strategies

Lush Green Hub is a learning centre that aims to change the way the manufacturing sector
thinks about industrial ecology. Lush’s goal is to recycle and reuse materials that would
otherwise have to go to landfills or harm the environment in the UK or any country that
doesn’t have a system in place to deal with them. Lush collects materials from customers and
carefully cleans, compresses and re-packages them into packaging. Lush shows reuse to
different degrees, including furniture reuse from their stores or refurbishment. Lush doesn’t
like to get rid of things quickly, materials or durables, and they don’t hide this philosophy,
inviting people to take part in workshops and collaborate.

The purchasing team at Lush cares about the environmental sustainability aspect and works
with local manufacturers to use natural ingredients in their products to ensure eco-friendly
production. Cosmetics are mainly made from self-preserving items during production and the
cosmetics group has successfully implemented the recycling stage and reduced waste. Lush
also uses completely recycled packaging with minimal resources.

Packaging materials and instruction manuals are 100% recycled. Logistics target minimum
CO2 pollution. Lush adheres to the popular theme of the circular economy, buying Charity
Pot Cream and donating part of the proceeds to social organizations.

No Animal testing

The company even discourages suppliers and refuses to buy from suppliers that continue to
do this. Instead, Lush encourages human volunteers to test for the ingredients. Less than 30%
of Lush’s products contain animal ingredients. Animal testing is strictly prohibited for Lush,
so much so that it refuses to buy from vendors that do animal testing.

Ethical sourcing of Raw Material

Currently, all the plastic in Lush’s manufacturing facilities in Vancouver comes from the West
Coast of North America with a total post-consumer recycled content (TSC). The supply chain
for the black pots supply chain was developed in Asia and the recycled chain wasn’t
operating in North America at the time. Developing a regional manufacturer in this situation
presented a significant challenge. Raw materials were carefully selected and sourced from
ethical producers rather than the general market. For example, neroli oil was harvested by
hand in Tunisia. Benzoin resin was sourced from Northern Laos, which is a poor region.
Organic fresh fruit and vegetables were sourced from organic and local sources.

Environmental and social responsibilities

Employees are also highly motivated to take part in charity activities through paid leave or
hours and international employee volunteer travels to countries such as Mexico, Cambodia,
and Tanzania. Since 2009, Lush’s steadfast focus on regenerative ingredients has evolved into
a well-operational sourcing hub. Over the past few years, lush has charted biodiversity
locations and has actively sought out partnerships to support sourcing cosmetic ingredients
that would minimize deforestation or poaching activities.

Employee rights rectification

Lush has a history of taking strong positions in areas where human rights have been
breached. In response to allegations of child labour or forced labour in the supply chain for
mica, Lush removed mica from its products and started using synthetic mica in place of
natural minerals.