Embracing Sustainable Beauty: Weleda's Commitment to Care for People and the Planet

In a world where sustainability is not just a choice but a necessity, Weleda leads by example.  Our approach to sustainable beauty encompasses various aspects, from our commitment to ethical sourcing, biodiversity conservation, and environmental stewardship to eco-friendly production methods. Proving that caring for people and the planet can go hand in hand.

Weleda's commitment to sustainability begins with its ingredients. With a focus on certified natural and organic materials, including wild-harvested and biodynamic crops, Weleda ensures the highest standards of quality and purity. Each product proudly bears the NATRUE label, signifying compliance with strict standards and independent certification processes. With over 80% organic, biodynamic, and wildcrafted plant-based materials, we ensure that integrity and quality are paramount.

Integrity lies at the heart of every Weleda product by maintaining a strict "No Nasties" policy, free from petroleum-derived ingredients, synthetic fragrances, GMOs, parabens, silicones, sulfates, and other harmful substances. This commitment extends to cruelty-free beauty practices, adamantly opposing animal testing.

Weleda recognizes the importance of biodiversity conservation in sourcing raw materials. With over 1,000 different raw materials sourced worldwide through partnerships, we prioritise organic farming and certified wild collection. Our efforts extend to preserving genetic diversity and supporting initiatives like seed banks to safeguard the future of medicinal plants, contributing to the protection of natural ecosystems. The company's biodynamic cultivation principles, developed by Rudolf Steiner, not only ensure excellent raw materials but also replenish and maintain the land for future generations.

We believe in sourcing with respect, supporting more than 50 cultivation partners globally in transitioning to biodynamic cultivation methods. Our dedication to fair trade practices has been recognized with certifications like the UEBT's 'Sourcing with Respect.' By empowering our partners and promoting sustainable farming practices, we contribute to economic development and environmental stewardship.

Our commitment to sustainability extends to our production processes  to minimize environmental impact by using renewable energy, composting waste, and prioritizing recyclable materials. We continue to research and invest in sustainable packaging solutions, striving for a closed-loop system that minimizes our ecological footprint. However, sustainable packaging has to satisfy a range of requirements to keep the products safe, but it must also be manufactured from sustainable materials, and be recyclable once its packaging life is over.

There is currently no ideal solution which meets all of those requirements. Weleda today endeavours to source and use packaging which is as environmentally responsible as possible, while continuing to research future options.

As collection of recyclables is challenging and varies throughout Australia, we have set up a recycling program for Weleda packaging to be collated and delivered to TerraCycle for recycling. Find out how you can recycle your Weleda empties with TerraCycle

By adhering to the Look for the Zero initiative, Weleda ensures that its formulations are free from harmful plastic ingredients. We prioritizes responsible packaging, striving to use sustainable materials that are recyclable or biodegradable whenever possible.

Packaging achievements so far:

• 85% of glass bottles are from recycled glass.
• Cardboard packaging is FSC certified paper.
• Product cartons are printed using mineral-oil-free inks.
• Peel-back labels eliminate the need for pack inserts.
• Recyclable BPA-free and food grade PET, PE/PP and HDPE – where possible with a percentage of recycled materials.

As a leader in the skincare industry, Weleda actively promotes sustainable practices and ethical sourcing. The company condemns the destruction of rainforests caused by non-sustainable palm oil cultivation and advocates for traceability and responsible palm oil sourcing. Through its involvement in initiatives like the Forum of Sustainable Palm Oil (FONAP) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Weleda drives industry change towards more sustainable methods.

Weleda's commitment to biodiversity extends beyond sourcing practices. The company supports conservation efforts through initiatives like the Hortus Officinarum association, which focuses on biodynamic cultivation and the propagation of medicinal plants. Additionally, Weleda engages in ecological education, raising awareness of biodiversity and pollinator conservation through projects like the Weleda Bee B&B Hotel program.

Our value chain is currently divided into seven areas of action.

At their heart lies the Weleda vision: Creating a world in which the health and beauty of human beings and nature continually unfold.

All our activities are aimed at being socially responsible, environmentally friendly and commercially successful. These are the initiatives and measures which Weleda has already adopted today as a binding commitment.