June 09, Colombo: As well-established champions of sustainability in the global beauty industry, The Body Shop Sri Lanka commemorated World Environment Day this year by hosting “Beauty Upcycled” – a DIY and upcycling workshop 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.

On Monday the 5th of June at The Body Shop store in Colombo City Centre, members of the beauty influencer community, the media, and select guests, were treated to an enlightening and engaging workshop conducted by socio-ecological researcher and practitioner, Savandie Abeyratne. .

In keeping with the “Beat Plastic Pollution” theme of this year, the event raised awareness on the detrimental effects of plastic waste, and also highlighted how reusing, repurposing, and recycling single use plastics can turn us into more environmentally conscious consumers in the fight against the climate crisis.

The CEO and co-founder of grassroots research and development company Green Life Generation, Savandie -alongside her husband-, has also launched several waste management and sustainability-centered 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 attendees to the concept of upcycling along with its many benefits, before proceeding to demonstrate how The Body Shop’s own Body Yoghurt containers can be repurposed into lovely plant pot holders using natural fiber 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 exercise for themselves, taking home with them their own plants in their newly upcycled macrame pots, and also the resolve to make more conscious decisions when it comes to paying back the earth.

“Collaborating with an environmentally and socially conscious brand that I have learnt a lot from growing up and has influenced my mission to use business as a force for good, was a great privilege and opportunity for us,” commented Savandie. “This event gave us an opportunity to talk openly about the plastic pollution of the cosmetic industry, the changes that need to be made -by both consumers and producers-, and also possible solutions like upcycling just 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.