Zero Waste Week: how consumer product businesses can cut waste and lead the way
Zero Waste Week: how consumer product businesses can cut waste and lead the way
September 2025
Zero Waste Week is the perfect time for businesses to rethink how they operate, reduce waste, and embrace circular economy principles. By moving away from the “take, make, dispose” mindset and prioritising reuse, repurposing, recycling, and low-waste product design, companies can conserve resources, cut pollution, and keep materials out of landfill, all while appealing to increasingly eco-conscious consumers.
Reducing waste also aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Businesses that embed waste reduction into their operations and products not only improve their environmental footprint but can also save costs, build brand loyalty, and inspire consumers to adopt more sustainable habits.
Here are some practical ways consumer product businesses can reduce waste, with examples from ESGmark® Certified companies leading the way:
1. Design products for reuse and refills
Encouraging circularity through reusable and refillable products is a powerful way to cut packaging waste.
Forest Distillery produces whisky, gin, and rum in unique ceramic bottles designed to be repurposed or refilled via their refill initiative.
Lavender & Lemon offers cleaning products in elegant aluminium bottles that can be returned and refilled, minimising packaging waste.
2. Switch to biodegradable or low-waste materials
Using plant-based, recyclable, or biodegradable materials can dramatically reduce the environmental impact of products.
Ekó Botanicals packages their skincare range in recyclable glass bottles, recyclable plastic closures, and FSC-certified card packaging.
POSY® London’s natural deodorants, shampoo bars, lip balms, and bath salts are packaged in paperboard, glass, and tins.
3. Eliminate plastic wherever possible
Reducing single-use plastics is one of the most effective ways to minimise waste.
Disruptor London sets a bold example for the industry: their gender-inclusive, multifunctional bars challenge overconsumption with a “do more with less” ethos. By developing zero-waste, waterless formulas, packaged plastic-free and crafted in small batches, they show how responsible manufacturing and ingredient transparency lead to real impact. Their journey demonstrates that putting people and planet before profit isn’t just possible—it’s the future of personal care.
Booheads manufactures biodegradable electric toothbrush heads from plant-based materials, providing an eco-friendly alternative to conventional oral care.
4. Repurpose and upcycle waste into new products
Transforming materials that would otherwise be discarded into valuable goods is a smart way to prevent unnecessary production and waste.
Udiri turns waste paper, cellulose fibre, and locally sourced fabrics into jewellery, bags, and artworks, while supporting artisans from displaced communities through their buyback program.
Takeaways for businesses this Zero Waste Week
Consumer product businesses can take inspiration from these ESGmark® members to reduce waste by:
Designing for refill, reuse, and longevity
Choosing biodegradable, recyclable, or low-waste packaging
Reducing single-use plastics across product lines
Repurposing or upcycling waste materials into new products
Supporting circular marketplaces and second-hand consumption
Zero Waste Week is a call to action: businesses that embed sustainability into their operations and products not only protect the planet but also strengthen their connection with conscious consumers, proving that less truly can be more.
How ESGmark® can help
At ESGmark®, we specialise in helping organisations credibly demonstrate and continuously improve their ESG credentials, including strategies for waste reduction, sustainable sourcing, and resource efficiency. ESGmark® Certification recognises organisations that take tangible action to build a fairer, more sustainable future, giving stakeholders confidence in their ESG commitments. Members benefit from expert support and practical resources to keep advancing their ESG journey.
To find out how we can support your journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at kayla.ellis@esgmark.co.uk or download our information pack here.