Planet
How we’re reducing waste
We're members of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), who are the local experts on how to design packaging that's recyclable. With their help, we've created more sustainable packaging for our stores and online orders.
Most of our in-store and online packaging, including our small-sized bags used in the vast majority of our in-store transactions, is 100 percent kerbside recyclable - including the bag handles! They may feel like fabric, but they're actually made from paper and can go straight into your recycling bin.
Our large, jumbo, XL and XXL in-store bags currently include a laminate coating to ensure strength and durability. While this means they’re not yet recyclable in New Zealand, the laminate significantly extends the life of these bags, making them ideal for reuse. We encourage our customers to reuse them as many times as possible. We’re actively working on a laminate-free solution, with the goal of making these bags fully kerbside recyclable in 2026.
And when you're shopping with us online (like you might be today), you can also select our sustainable packaging option; not only is this packaging 100 percent kerbside recyclable, but it’s also made from 67 percent recycled materials and free from bubble wrap, plastic bags, polystyrene foam and unnecessary fillers.
For our product packaging, we are working with our brands to create products and packaging based on ‘circular economy’ principles. In the meantime, we've partnered with TerraCycle® to recycle items that can't go in your recycling bin at home. For more information, click here.
And we haven’t forgotten about samples; while it's one of the best ways to make sure you're selecting the right product to suit your needs (which helps reduce waste), we're working to minimise the impact of our sample pot packaging. As a starting point, we've partnered with a local manufacturer to create sample pots that are fully recyclable and made from recycled materials, which we can’t wait to launch across all of our stores in 2026.
We work with Blue Connections to help reduce the amount of our technology waste that ends up in landfill; we send them our used hardware (such as computers, keyboards, printers and phones) and Blue Connections then resells or reuses it where possible. Any hardware that has no resale value is sent to Blue Connections' accredited e-waste recycling partners.
These partners also ensure any materials that contain toxic chemicals – including printers, printer cartridges, laminators and monitors – are disposed of appropriately.
Emma Lewisham Beauty Circle
As part of Emma Lewisham's commitment to make a positive impact, the brand operates on a model of ‘circularity’ – reducing, reusing and recycling through its Beauty Circle program to minimise overall waste and carbon emissions as much as possible. Here's how it works: all Emma Lewisham products are refillable, meaning fewer new components need to be produced. Empty refill pods are returned to the Emma Lewisham Beauty Circle, where the brand ensures they are sterilised and refilled, ready to be used again. If they can’t be refilled, the components are recycled via specialist partners. As for outer packaging? Keep it and reuse it until it’s had too much wear-and-tear, then return it to the Emma Lewisham Beauty Circle for specialist recycling.
How do I return my Emma Lewisham empties to the Beauty Circle?
Once you’ve enjoyed your Emma Lewisham skincare down to the last drop, just take your empty refill pods to your local MECCA store and our team will transfer them to the Beauty Circle program.
Note: we ask that you collect at least 4 empty vessels before returning them to MECCA, to help reduce carbon emissions.
What’s the difference between the Emma Lewisham Beauty Circle and TerraCycle®?
First and foremost, Emma Lewisham products are designed to be reused, with refill pods and outer packaging recycled once they’re no longer functional. As part of their circularity model, the brand is responsible for every product they produce – all the way to the recycling process! That’s why we ask you to return your Emma Lewisham empties to the team at your local MECCA store rather than popping them in the TerraCycle® bins, so we can ensure they go back into the Beauty Circle program. Through TerraCycle®, we accept empties from all other beauty brands – even those we don’t sell at MECCA – that can’t be put in kerbside recycling. Read more about TerraCycle® at MECCA here.
