Lush Korea Partners with National Ecology Institute for Sustainability Initiative

Lush Korea announced on May 22 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Ecology Institute to coincide with International Biodiversity Day. This partnership aims to promote biodiversity conservation and the dissemination of ecological values by establishing an insect hotel, utilizing plastic pots returned by customers.

This collaboration is part of Lush Korea's broader commitment to sustainability, as it reinforces the company's 'Bring It Back' (BIB) initiative, which encourages customers to return five cosmetic containers in exchange for a fresh face mask or membership rewards. The BIB program has achieved an annual container return rate of approximately 20%, illustrating consumer engagement in sustainability.

The official installation of the insect hotel took place on the same day at the National Ecology Institute and serves as a resting place for essential species like bees, butterflies, and beetles. Each hotel is crafted from Lush’s returned black pots, directly linking customer contributions to tangible environmental impact, thus enhancing brand loyalty through active participation in ecological projects.

On the installation day, an educational event was conducted to highlight the value of resource recycling. 300 plants, crafted from the repurposed black pots, were distributed to visitors, promoting hands-on ecological engagement and community awareness surrounding biodiversity conservation.

From May 22, Lush Korea will distribute ecological information cards at 15 selected locations, developed in partnership with the National Ecology Institute. This initiative aims to familiarize customers with the importance of protecting endangered species and conserving ecosystems in a friendly and accessible manner.

Woomi Ryung, the representative of Lush Korea, expressed that collaborating with the National Ecology Institute, an expert in biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, is vital for embodying their operational ethos. She highlighted the symbolic transformation of returned pots into significant resources for insect habitats and plant growth, underscoring the genuine value of resource circularity. She encouraged ongoing interest in future collaborative endeavors with the National Ecology Institute.