In honor of Climate Week, Kiehl’s continues to champion sustainability within the beauty space using both product innovation and community-driven initiatives. 

Through its Mission Renewal initiative, the brand is taking bold steps to reduce waste, source renewable ingredients, and support diverse suppliers—all while maintaining its commitment to high-performance skincare. 

Intending to eliminate single-use virgin plastic, Kiehl’s continues to lead the refill movement, offering refillable packaging and in-store Refillery Stations to help reduce plastic waste, with careful consideration for which products are compatible with refill formats.

The brand now offers more refill pouches, which use 81% less plastic than equivalent bottles, helping reduce single-use packaging. Customers can also refill products at Kiehl’s Refillery Stations, encouraging multi-use packaging.

Kiehl’s is also encouraging customers to recycle their empty products by returning product packaging to receive reward points.

Reducing Waste & Promoting Circularity

• 33% of plastic used in Kiehl’s packaging comes from post-consumer recycled materials.
• Over 7 million empty products have been collected through the Recycle & Be Rewarded program in the U.S.
• Kiehl’s offers refillable options for customer favorites like Ultra Facial Cream, Creme de Corps, Amino Acid Shampoo & Conditioner, and more—helping consumers enjoy their skincare while reducing waste.

The brand also harnesses green science innovation, utilizing environmentally friendly processes to extract potent ingredients like plant-based Squalane and hydroponically grown Calendula petals. Beyond products, Kiehl’s empowers its community through education and hands-on sustainability efforts, inspiring meaningful action for a more sustainable future.

Kiehl’s is working in tandem with Sagarmatha Next and the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee to remove 22 tons of waste from Mount Everest.

In 2024, Kiehl’s partnered with artist Ben Von Wong to raise awareness surrounding the Everest waste crisis by creating a sculpture located near Base Camp to encourage hikers to minimize their environmental footprint.

By 2023, Kiehl’s Mission Renewal Aims To:

• Formulate 100% of products with renewable ingredients, using sustainable sourcing and manufacturing processes.
• Eliminate single-use virgin plastic by ensuring all bottles and jars are reusable, refillable, or made from recycled materials—preventing over 15 million additional packages from ending up in landfills.
• Inspire global action through education and community service initiatives focused on sustainability.

Read Next

Beauty Shifts Into ‘Refill 2.0’

Kiehl’s Partners with Life Time’s NYC Country Clubs

Kiehl’s Unveils Limited-Edition Collab with HBO Series The White Lotus