Every year, millions of plastic bottles, bags, and wrappers end up in landfills and oceans — and most of them come from everyday shopping habits. This July, Watsons is channelling the spirit of a global movement with its very own Less Plastic July campaign, inspiring customers to rethink the way they shop, consume, and care for the planet. Because small changes, made by many, can move mountains.
Why it matters
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Single-use plastics — from shampoo sachets to shopping bags — take hundreds of years to break down, and their impact on marine life, soil health, and even human health is undeniable. The personal care industry alone generates billions of plastic units every year, much of which ends up in landfills or waterways long after the product inside has been used up.
The good news? The power to make a difference starts right in our shopping baskets.
The Watsons Less Plastic July Campaign
Rooted in the values and spirit of the global Plastic-Free July movement — a worldwide initiative that started in Western Australia in 2011 to raise awareness and promote sustainable alternatives — Watsons Less Plastic July is our way of bringing this important conversation directly to our community.
As a leading health and beauty retailer, we sit at a unique intersection. Our products touch your daily routines, your bathroom shelves, and inevitably, your waste bin. We felt a responsibility to do more than sell products. We wanted to help our customers make choices that are as good for the environment as they are for themselves.
And so, Less Plastic July was born — a Watsons-led campaign that carries the torch of a global movement into the everyday moments of your beauty and wellness routine. This isn’t just a campaign. It’s our commitment to building a greener, cleaner future together.
How to reduce plastic waste in your daily life
Making the switch doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some simple, practical swaps you can start with today:
- Refill Bottles & Refill Packs: Swap to reusable bottles and refill products to significantly cut down on the number of plastic bottles you throw away each year.
- Bamboo Toothbrush: Bamboo is a natural and completely biodegradable material, making it a smart and easy alternative to conventional plastic toothbrushes.
- Safety Razor with Replaceable Blades: Instead of discarding an entire plastic razor, simply replace the blade. It’s a more sustainable approach that dramatically reduces plastic waste over time.
- Biodegradable Bamboo Sheet Mask: Traditional sheet masks are often made with plastic-derived materials. Switching to biodegradable bamboo sheet masks means you can enjoy your skincare routine with a cleaner conscience.
- Menstrual Cup: A reusable alternative to disposable feminine hygiene products, a menstrual cup can last for years — eliminating hundreds of single-use plastic items from your waste footprint.
Sustainability starts with your sustainable choice
Sustainable Choices is a scheme which empowers customers to make behavioral changes towards a sustainable lifestyle. Products that qualify as Sustainable Choices must meet specific criteria, such as being made with better ingredients or materials, using better packaging, offering refill packs, featuring reusable or replaceable components promoting less waste.
Making it easier for customers to find these products which are good for the environment, Watsons is now offering over 12,500 Sustainable Choices products globally, ranging from skincare to shampoo, both in stores and online.
