“The Body Shop Celebrates 5 Years with Plastics for Change in Mumbai”

To commemorate five years of powerful partnership with Plastics for Change, the world’s largest source of fairly traded verified recycled plastic, The Body Shop marked the occasion in Mumbai. The brand unveiled a new digital film as part of the award-winning Spark A Change campaign, with Indian actress and model Diana Penty.

This marked a great event to meet the congregation of Harmeet Singh, Chief Brand Officer, Quest Retail – The Body Shop, Asia South; Srinidhi Kashyap, Chief Operations Officer of Plastics for Change; and Deepa, a beneficiary of this programme, who marked the pathway of this partnership that has been meaningful and impactful.

This is part of the festive spirit and the Spark A Change campaign through its partnership with Plastics for Change. The Body Shop is redefining festive gifting spirit with Spark A Change 2.0, where every purchase brings joy to the giver and the recipient and supports the livelihoods of India’s marginalized communities.

The Body Shop is a new initiative that is taking on the task of donating e-tricycles to allow waste collectors under the Plastics for Change system to improve their standard of living in an environmentally friendly way. The facility has done this by encouraging customers to contribute via the brand website and all 200 stores across India.

The festive message is captured well in the video featuring Diana Penty, because of which the feel-good vibes of the season seem to emanate from her. Now, she is seen enjoying The Body Shop products, gifts, and Plastics for Change merchandise, comprising pouches of some sort. When she celebrated, she did so with a purpose.

Since the start of their partnership in 2019, The Body Shop and Plastics for Change have collectively been working effectively to build a better, and more ethical plastic supply chain. As part of this, they have been empowered upwards of 2,000 waste collectors with access to reasonable prices, better conditions of work, and opportunities that previously did not exist in the informal economy, with over half being women. The company has thus far purchased over 2,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste – which translates to approximately 100 million bottles – totally redesigning the approach towards plastic recycling.

Harmeet Singh, Chief Brand Officer, Quest Retail – The Body Shop – Asia South said, “We are glad to introduce Spark A Change 2.0 campaign, that celebrates the theme of giving and sharing the joy which reaches out far and beyond.”. The film will therefore magnify the impact of our partnership with Plastics for Change to demonstrate how business can be a source of meaningful change. For five years now, we have diverted millions of plastic bottles from the landfills and empowered thousands of waste collectors, especially women, through improved earnings and access to markets. This donation drive for e-tricycles further supports their effort in a sustainable and eco-friendly way.

Andrew Almack is the Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Plastics for Change. “Working with The Body Shop has turned everything around on both environmental sustainability and social progress. From what I can see, our fair-trade market for recycled plastic has reduced plastic pollution and uplifted thousands of informal waste collectors. This collaboration depicts how a successful business model can solve complex global problems while transforming the margins of communities.

Actress and model Diana Penty says, “I am proud to be a part of ‘Spark A Change’ because it is all about the joy of giving. This Diwali, let’s take in the beauty of nature through body products by The Body Shop and gift your loved ones with some ethical deliveries for a happy Diwali.”. Experience the magic of the festive season in-store and online, supporting their Community Fair Trade partner, Plastics for Change, which will help illuminate the lives of waste pickers who contribute to a cleaner planet.

CYO (Create Your Own), fantastic, festively colored hues at INR 695 as part of this campaign; and prepacked gift boxes. In association with Plastics for Change, the brand has released multi-purpose makeup pouches made from recycled plastic, available in two stunning colors-the cross-zip pouch and the square net-zip pouch.

These special festive offerings, products, and gift hampers curated especially for the season, can be acquired from the outlet closest to them or online through the brand’s website.