Sustainability at Aesop
Our approach to sustainability focuses on addressing impacts associated with our operations and value chain, while strengthening our contribution to the communities in which we operate. We seek to integrate environmental and social considerations into our business decisions, products and customer experiences.
Since our inception in 1987, we have not tested our products on animals. All of our formulations are vegan, containing no animal-derived ingredients.
Our products are all made from responsibly sourced ingredients. None of these are derived from animals; even such industry favourites as beeswax, honey and lanolin are absent from our labels—which means that all our formulations are vegan.
All our ingredients are reviewed by our Research & Development team before use. Evaluation includes safety, efficacy and regulatory status across relevant markets. This review applies to both new and existing ingredients.
Through our Sourcing Programme, we evaluate suppliers against environmental, labour and business conduct expectations. These assessments inform supplier selection, ongoing engagement and continuous improvement activities. We aim to build long-term relationships with suppliers that demonstrate commitment to responsible business practices and support improvements where opportunities are identified.
Ethical formulations
Since our inception, well before there were any bans on such practices for cosmetics around the world, we have been staunchly opposed to animal testing of any kind.
Our products are all made from responsibly sourced ingredients. None of these are derived from animals; even such industry favourites as beeswax, honey and lanolin are absent from our labels—which means that all our formulations are vegan.
All ingredients are thoroughly reviewed by our Research & Development team before use. They are researched extensively not only for safety and efficacy but for their registration and regulatory status across global markets, noting any past animal testing that would prevent their inclusion. This is a standard process for all ingredients, whether new or existing.
Our internal Ethical Sourcing Programme also ensures that all our suppliers use environmentally responsible processes, provide safe working conditions, and treat their workers with dignity and respect. We are committed to investing in long-term partnerships with those that reflect these values. Constant assessment and improvement of our suppliers' practices are key to maintaining ethical and sustainable production of the highest standard.
We do not test, and have never
tested, our products on animals.
Accreditation and Recognition
Leaping Bunny Certification
Aesop is certified under the Leaping Bunny programme. This certification requires compliance with recognised animal-testing criteria, including supplier monitoring and independent verification processes. We maintain a supplier monitoring system and adhere to the programme's requirements for ongoing certification. For more information about the Leaping Bunny programme and its certification criteria, please visit the programme website.
*Certified B Corporation®
As a Certified B Corp, we meet B Lab's integrated social, environmental and governance standards. This certification helps us assess and manage our impact on people, communities and the environment. As a Certified B Corporation, we are part of a global community of businesses working collectively towards an economy that benefits people and the planet.
Read our B Corp assessment
Certified B Corporation ®; Leaping Bunny approved.
We do not test, and have never
tested, our products on animals.
Accreditation and recognition
Leaping Bunny approved
All our formulations—including those for the home—are approved under the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny programme, the internationally recognised gold standard for cruelty-free products, whose criteria go above and beyond legal requirements. We adhere to a fixed cut-off date policy and proactively monitor our suppliers to ensure that our products continue to adhere to the Leaping Bunny criteria. Our supplier monitoring system is also independently audited.
For more information about Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny and Leaping Bunny criteria, please visit their website.
A Certified B Corporation®
As a Certified B Corporation®, we meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. The globally recognised credential publicly endorses businesses as making an impact beyond profit by building a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
In becoming a Certified B Corporation®, we have joined a community of like-minded businesses. The challenges of sustainability are far too big for any one company or industry to face alone, and collaboration is necessary to tackle them effectively.
Read our B Corp assessmentCertified B Corporation ®; Leaping Bunny approved.
PETA recognition
Aesop appears on PETA's vegan and cruelty-free lists, the internationally recognised association for vegan and cruelty-free products, whose criteria go above and beyond legal requirements. We proactively monitor our suppliers to ensure that our products continue to adhere to PETA's criteria, in addition to independent audits.
Our packaging has always been
utilitarian
Packaging Ethos
Our approach to packaging has remained largely unchanged over the years. We believe vessels should be functional and modest, with careful consideration given to product protection, durability, material use and environmental impacts throughout the packaging design process.
Some of our products are packaged in plastic rather than glass in order to meet practical requirements relating to product performance, safety and transportation.
In 2025, 42% of our packaging was from recycled content and 55% of the plastic used in our packaging was recycled content. Our 500mL plastic bottles contain 97% recycled content (excluding colourants and the caps/pumps). Our packaging strategy contributes to the L'Oréal Group ambition of achieving 50% recycled or bio-based materials in all plastic packaging by 2030.
Read our latest Impact Report for more details of our packaging approach.
Our packaging has always been utilitarian
Packaging ethos
Our approach to packaging has remained largely unchanged over the years. This is not just a design choice—it is an ethos. Vessels must be functional and modest, and have minimal environmental impact.
It may sound at odds with this approach, but some of our bottles are made from plastic, rather than glass. This was not a decision made lightly but is a solution to our practical packaging problems—it is also a little-known fact that plastic bottles actually have a lower carbon footprint than their glass counterparts.
Most of the plastic we use is recycled PET, which consists of at least 97% recycled material. Our recycled PET is made up of household plastic waste. These bottles have a much lower footprint than a vessel made entirely of virgin materials, and they meet our product performance needs perfectly.
By the end of 2021, 89% of our plastic bottles were made from recycled PET, and the aim is to increase that in 2022. Our internal Sustainable Packaging Roadmap calls for using at least 50% recycled content across our entire plastic packaging range by 2025.
Read our Australian packaging annual report and action planThe future is circular
Circularity
Even when bottling our earliest formulations, material use was an important consideration. Where an outer carton was not necessary for product protection, transportation, regulatory requirements or consumer information, we generally chose not to include one.
This reflects our preference for limiting additional packaging materials where practicable while maintaining product integrity and functionality. Customers at Aesop QV and Aesop South Yarra in Melbourne are invited to participate in an in-store refill trial.
Through this programme, reusable glass bottles can be filled, returned and prepared for reuse through an in-store cleaning process. The trial helps us explore opportunities to reuse packaging while maintaining product quality and customer experience.
Learn more about our refill in-store trial
The future is circular
Circular economy
Even when bottling our first ever formulations, waste was a consideration. The idea of encasing a container in an outer carton—when this is not a legal requirement—seemed at best an excess of effort, and at worst a contribution to environmental degradation.
Continuing this journey towards circularity, customers at Aesop QV and Aesop South Yarra, Melbourne, are invited to partake in an in-store packaging refill trial. As part of this pilot, new reusable glass bottles are available, filled with formulations from a custom-made dispensary machine. Once depleted, they can be returned to be traded for a refilled replacement, and the used vessel is washed in-store, ready for another customer.
This approach can help lessen an individual’s carbon footprint over time. It also celebrates sustainable materials, without compromising the product within. Over the coming years this circular initiative will expand into more stores, as part of a continual investment in sustainability—bringing Aesop closer to becoming a fully regenerative business.
Learn more about our refill in-store trialLess is more
Store Design
Aesop stores are physical manifestations of our overall attitudes and ambitions, and we seek to incorporate resource conscious design considerations into their development and evolution.
While each store is individual, we endeavour to reuse materials, fixtures and furnishings from refurbished, closed or relocated stores where suitable and practicable, extending their useful life and reducing the need for new materials.
We continue to assess environmental considerations associated with our stores throughout their lifecycle, from construction through refurbishment or decommissioning. As part of our climate strategy, we are working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with our store portfolio.
This includes our objective to reduce emissions per square metre of signature store designs by 50% by 2027 compared to a 2023 baseline which and supportsing the wider Scope 3 emissions reduction ambitions of the L'Oréal Groupe. Link to L’Oreal Targets/Pagege.
Less is more
Store design
Aesop stores are physical manifestations of our overall attitudes and ambitions. To ensure this, we continue to embed circular and regenerative principles into our approach to their design.
While each store is individual, materials and furnishings from refurbished, closed or relocated stores are reused wherever possible, extending their lifespan and avoiding unnecessary waste.
More generally, the environmental impact of our stores from construction to decommission is being constantly measured. We are currently developing specific design sustainability targets, to be met by 2030.
Waiting is not an option
Climate Action
Climate change is a significant global challenge, and we are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with our operations and value chain. Our approach is guided by the climate ambitions and science-based emissions reduction targets of the L'Oréal Group, including its long-term objective of progressing towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
For our offices and stores, we aim to use less, use better and transition to renewable energy. We meet 100% of our office and store energy needs through renewable sources Depending on local market conditions, this may be achieved through a combination of direct renewable electricity supply arrangements and/or procurement of high quality renewable energy certificates
We continue to work with suppliers, partners and industry initiatives to identify opportunities to reduce emissions across our operations and value chain. These efforts form part of our broader climate transition approach and support delivery of the L'Oréal Groupe's climate commitments.
Waiting is not an option
Climate action
In the face of the current climate crisis, we must act now to decarbonise our value chain and protect nature. This is why we have set ourselves the goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
We source 100% renewable energy to power our offices and stores around the world. We prioritise sourcing directly from electricity suppliers and, where this is not possible, we procure renewable energy certificates which incentivise suppliers to produce energy from renewable sources. Working alongside the Transform to Net Zero Initiative, we are devising a climate change action plan to see decarbonisation applied across our entire business, supply chain and production processes.
We are committed to giving back more
than we take
Social impact
We have a strong legacy of supporting the communities in which we work, but we are now more public and purposeful with our philanthropy than ever before.
The Aesop Foundation partners with charities that work with underrepresented communities, amplifying their voices by fostering storytelling and literacy. Our intent has always been to extend support beyond monetary means and nurture enduring relationships.
In 2022, the Aesop Foundation is continuing 30 years’ worth of work by escalating the efficiency and scope of our social commitments. This starts internally with increased staff involvement—and externally by identifying further charitable partners to work with around the world.
Learn more about the Aesop FoundationWe are committed to giving back more than we take
Social impact
We have a strong legacy of supporting the communities in which we work, but we are now more public and purposeful with our philanthropy than ever before.
The Aesop Foundation partners with charities that work with underrepresented communities, amplifying their voices by fostering storytelling and literacy. Our intent has always been to extend support beyond monetary means and nurture enduring relationships.
In 2022, the Aesop Foundation is continuing 30 years’ worth of work by escalating the efficiency and scope of our social commitments. This starts internally with increased staff involvement—and externally by identifying further charitable partners to work with around the world.
Learn more about the Aesop FoundationFurther reading
For more detail on our ongoing efforts, you are invited to read our full Sustainability Report—available in English only.
Further reading
For more detail on our ongoing efforts, you are invited to read our full Sustainability Report—available in English only.
