Topics about Aesop's practices in packaging, animal testing, and environmental protection.
Aesop is dedicated to establishing practices that eliminate waste and support the continued use of our packaging. To this end, our teams are researching refill and circular solutions that demonstrate a tangible environmental benefit while maintaining the of our formulations.
In-Store Refill Initiatives We are currently conducting circular packaging trials across select locations, including Adelaide and Melbourne. These trials allow customers to return depleted bottles of Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash, Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser, and Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser. Each vessel is returned to our Melbourne laboratory to be cleaned, sanitsed, and refilled for future purchase. We are encouraged by the high level of customer engagement and are using these learnings to shape our future expansion into new markets.
Replenishment and Waste Reduction As a global initiative, a replenishment option is available for the majority of our 500mL hand and body care cleansers. By selecting a screw-cap in place of a pump and reusing existing hardware, customers achieve a 12-gram reduction in plastic per bottle. This option is currently offered for:
Resurrection and Reverence Aromatique Hand Washes (500mL)
Geranium Leaf, A Rose By Any Other Name, Coriander Seed, and Citrus Melange Body Cleansers (500mL)
Shampoo and Conditioner (500mL)
We invite you to explore our progress and the evolution of these initiatives on our Circularity page.
Aesop’s packaging ethos is rooted in functional simplicity
vessels must be humble, utilitarian, and have minimal environmental impact. Our material selection is a careful balance of formulation compatibility, global compliance, and a commitment to circular systems.
Amber Glass and Aluminium
We traditionally favour pharmaceutical-grade amber glass for its inert properties and UV protection, which maintains the stability of active botanical extracts and minimizes the need for preservatives. Where glass is not viable, we utilise aluminium. In 2023, we transitioned our most popular 75mL and 100mL tubes to 100% post-consumer recycled aluminium, achieving a significant reduction in carbon emissions.
Recycled PET (rPET) Plastic
The decision to use plastic is based on a pragmatic convergence of safety and portability-particularly for products used in travel or wet areas. Our bottles are manufactured using a minimum of 97% post-consumer recycled content. By choosing rPET over glass for specific ranges, we achieve environmental savings through reduced freight emissions and product wastage from breakages. Furthermore, our use of recycled PET helps create demand for materials that would otherwise be destined for landfill.
Paper and Cardboard:
Where paper or cardboard is required, we exclusively select stocks that are recyclable and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council®(FSC) or PEFC, verifying that all materials have been responsibly sourced.
Recycling your Aesop vessels
We strongly encourage our customers to repurpose their Aesop packaging. Our jars are well suited to reuse as storage containers for many small household items, from paper clips to staples to hairpins. Aesop Mouthwash bottles make serviceable and attractive vases, as well as worthy vessels to house oils in your pantry.
Should you not have an ongoing use for your Aesop container, and have access to recycling services, we recommend separating components and placing any unwanted Aesop glass, aluminium, cardboard and recycled PET containers into municipal recycling bins or alternative local container recovery systems, as these items are commonly recyclable.
We recommend seeking guidance from your local council or government website regarding local recycling capabilities and relevant instructions.
Aesop products are entirely vegan; we do not use any animal-derived ingredients-such as beeswax, honey, or lanolin-in our formulations. We are also proud to be Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny approved, reflecting our long-standing commitment to ethical practices.
Our Formulation Philosophy Regarding the terms "organic" or "natural," we choose not to use these descriptors for our range. While many of our ingredients are natural by definition, our interest lies in the synergy between botanical extracts and the remarkable results that science can deliver.
Accordingly, we incorporate high-quality, scientifically validated, and skin-friendly ingredients to perform specific functions. Every component is chosen from reputable sources to ensure the safety, stability, and efficacy of the final formulation.
We use RSPO-certified ‘segregated’ sustainable palm oil in our Bar Soaps (150g) and Refresh Body
Cleansing Slab (310g). Other products within our range use certified sustainable ‘mass balance’
ingredients where they are available, and we offset our remaining palm oil and palm-derived
ingredient consumption via the ‘Book and & Claim’ model run by RSPO.
We recognise the complex ethical, social and environmental issues associated with the production and
consumption of Palm Oil and the significant impacts on biodiversity. Though it may seem that the
best solution to this issue is to replace palm oil with other types of vegetable oil, sadly it is
not that straightforward or simple. When farmed sustainably palm oil offers an efficient crop
compared with other vegetable oils, and boycotting palm or looking to replace its use is not the
solution to addressing this complex issue—this would lead to further socio-economic, ethical and
environmental implications.
We support and use Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)-certified ingredients in our
formulations because we are acutely aware that switching to an alternate source would result in
greater land being consumed.
We are working towards sourcing only certified sustainable materials from RSPO-certified supply
chains as demand for and availability of these ingredients within the cosmetic industry increases—we
have an ambitious goal: by the end of 2025 all our palm oil must be at a minimum RSPO mass balance.
Should you wish to learn more about certified sustainable palm oil, we invite you to:
All Aesop cleansing products are formulated to be phosphate-free and are entirely compatible with water-recycling and septic tank systems. The surfactants used in our formulations comply with the ‘ultimate biodegradability’ status as defined by the EU Detergents Directive, ensuring they are safely processed by waste systems. For more detailed information on these standards, we invite you to consult the EU Detergents Directive.
Yes, Aesop is a Certified B Corporation ®. The globally-recognised credential publicly endorses businesses as making an impact beyond profit by building a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
As a Certified B Corporation ®, we meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.
To learn more about our approach to the environment, we invite you to visit our Sustainability page.
For further information about B Corp Certification, please visit the B Corp website.
Prior to launch, all Aesop formulations undergo a series of rigorous, multi-stage tests to validate their safety, stability, and efficacy. This process includes cumulative irritancy testing on human volunteers and a comprehensive Product Safety Assessment and Toxicological review conducted by an independent agency. These assessments evaluate both the final formulation and its individual ingredients against stringent industry standards.
Animal Testing and Ethics Aesop has never tested its products or ingredients on animals, nor do we commission third parties to do so. We do not use animal-derived ingredients-such as beeswax, honey, or lanolin-and we are proud to be Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny approved.
Global Compliance and New Markets Our Research and Development team meticulously reviews the registration status of all new ingredients in world markets. Before entering any new country, we extensively review local regulatory requirements to ensure that compulsory animal testing is not required for our products to be made available.
