Beauty uncycled- spreading awareness on enviornment

A workshop was held recently by the Body Shop to commemorate the World Environment Day this year on “Beauty Upcycled” – a DIY aimed at spreading awareness on the importance of rethinking our approach to plastics as part of the larger goal of reducing our load on the planet.

Held on June 5 at the Body Shop store in Colombo City Centre, members of the beauty industry, media and few selected guests, were treated to an enlightening and engaging workshop. This workshop was conducted by the socio-ecological researcher and practitioner, Savandie Abeyratne. In keeping with the theme of the year “Beat Plastic Pollution” this event created awareness on the detrimental effects of plastic waste, it also highlighted how re-using, r-purposing, and re-cycling single use of plastics can contribute to fight against the climate crisis.

The CEO and co-founder of grassroots research and development company Green Life Generation, Savandie -alongside her husband, also launched several waste management and sustainability-centred initiatives, including ethical and sustainable brand I Am Upcycled: a community empowerment shop selling handmade products by Sri Lankan women.

At the interactive event, Savandie first introduced the concept of upcycling and its many benefits, before proceeding to demonstrate how The Body Shop’s own Body Yoghurt containers can be converted into lovely plant pot holders using natural fibre macrame – showcasing how everyday consumers can easily breathe new life into items that would otherwise be thrown away.

Guests were then encouraged to try out the exercises for themselves, taking home with them their own plants in their newly upcycled macrame pots, and take more conscious decisions when it comes to paying back to the earth.

“Collaborating with an environmentally and socially conscious brand like Body Shop. I have learnt many lessons on environment friendly products said Savandie. “This event also gave us an opportunity to talk openly about plastic pollution of the cosmetic industry, the changes that need to be made -by both consumers and producers-, and also find possible solutions like upcycling to prevent containers from ending up in non-circular recycling streams, landfills and water bodies.”

She added, “In the end we live in a finite planet with finite resources, and a commitment to sustainable development means we need to be  more responsible about our consumption and production practices so that we leave a clean and safe planet earth for future generations.”

Shop all of your favourite (recyclable) skin, body, and beauty products from The Body Shop flagship store on Bagatalle Road, Odel in Alexandra Place, the Kandy City Centre, and at the Colombo City Centre.