Simple Steps to Sustainability

Since Neal’s Yard Remedies was founded in 1981, we’ve been passionate about sustainability. We were seen as alternative and niche in the early days because we wanted to do things more ethically and naturally. But we were one of a small group of companies and individuals that wanted to change the world.

During every step of our journey, we’ve been prepared to be pioneers and make the effort to stand up for our beliefs. From developing the first Soil Association organic beauty products, to marking our 10th anniversary of becoming the world’s first CarbonNeutral® high street retailer, we continue to pioneer ways of supporting people and our beautiful planet. And we have no plans to slow down.

During that time, the awareness of the challenges we face in the environment – such as plastic pollution and climate change – has grown enormously. Unfortunately, so has the scale of the problems we’re trying to tackle. It’s now up to all of us to do everything that we can to turn the tide on the environmental challenges we’re confronted with. 

Here are some of the other things we’re doing to promote a more sustainable future… 

Organic at heart

Ever since we first opened our doors in 1981, making natural and organic products that are good for both people and the planet has been at the heart of everything we do. Today, we’re as mindful as ever about our responsibility to create health and beauty products in the most sustainable and ethical ways. We’re incredibly proud of our ethos and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be recognised at The GLAMOUR Awards 2021 for the work we’ve done to promote organic beauty – and will continue to do.

We’re tackling climate change

We were the first UK High Street retailer to be certified CarbonNeutral®.  Working with Natural Capital Partners we have been supporting the Rimba Raya biodiversity project in Borneo through the carbon offset scheme. 

Free water refills

In 2017, we became one of the first national companies to provide free water refills as part of the City to Sea Refill Scheme, to help reduce the use of single-use plastic. Why not spread the word by using hashtag #NYRefill when you’re next in-store? 

Product refill scheme

We’re taking steps to avoid new packaging wherever possible. That’s why we created a refill scheme where you can refill two of our most loved products in-store. Simply return your clean and dry original bottles with the label intact for a discounted refill. 

We encourage recycling…

Did you know you can head to any of our stores to recycle your used Neal’s Yard Remedies products? Just pop in with your clean and dry packaging and we’ll take care of your recycling for you.

…but love upcycling even more

Recycling is wonderful, but reusing your empty bottles is even better! We’ve seen some amazing upcycled vases and decorations created with our iconic blue bottles – why not share how you recycle yours on social media using #BlueBottlesGreenFuture?  

We use renewable energy

Having installed 700m2 of solar panels at our eco-factory in Dorset, we now generate more than 5% of our own electricity. This is topped up by a 100% UK sourced renewable tariff. We also choose 100% renewable electricity and gas for our stores. 

We recycle over 20% of our water

We take active steps to limit our freshwater use. For example, our water recycling system at our eco-factory recycles up to one million litres of water every year. We also fund freshwater availability projects, such as rainwater collection tanks for our suppliers of tea tree oil in Kenya.

Save the bees

We have been raising money to from the sales of our Bee Lovely range for over ten years. We are currently supporting the Bumblebee Conservation Trust to help save the endangered shrill carder bee and other pollinators. 

Read more about our efforts to tread lightly on our planet and support the people who inhabit it.