As we reach a critical tipping point with nature, companies now more than ever need to align their business models with the environment and aim to restore, renew and rejuvenate the natural world. Regeneration is not just about giving back to nature but working with nature to design consciously, in order to fit within natural ecosystems and planetary boundaries.
We asked our community of Positive Luxury-certified brands what their business is doing to expand our idea of regeneration. From biotechnology to the circular economy, read on to learn more about the ways our brands are giving back to the earth…
The Macallan Estate is designated at the highest level as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI). Our 485-acre landscape supports a rich ecosystem of plants and wildlife, including 7 European Protected Species. As stewards of this landscape, we feel our regenerative responsibilities keenly and our Habitat Management Plan underpins the delivery of a rolling schedule of annual projects which not only protect but also enhance plant and wildlife on our estate, both on land and in the River Spey.
Elizabeth McMillan, Global Marketing Manager at The Macallan
Award-winning facialist and skin expert Lisa Franklin is proud to use the latest advances in biotechnology for truly sustainable, high performance skincare. With eco-designed production methods of extracting stem cells, biotechnology provides the most sustainable way to access rare and slow growing plant ingredients. This has a profound impact on the environment: reduced transportation, no loss of biodiversity, no over exploitation of land and no use of fertilisers, pesticides or GMOs, respecting the planet’s regeneration.
Lisa Franklin, Skincare expert & facialist
Understanding that regeneration is about replenishing and restoring what we have lost in ways that benefit the earth, means that as a brand we consciously aim to always give back. Our range is mainly made up of glass packaging to minimise the plastic effort and our unsold packaging is repurposed and reused as to not add to the global waste problem. Just last year, we re-housed and updated our existing holiday collection, not only because we believe in the quality of our product, but we have a footprint that we are conscious not to be a detriment to the earth.
Eva Alexandridis, Co-Founder of 111SKIN
At Inlight we only use unadulterated botanicals to produce our balms and oils. The organic flowers, plants and roots used in our in house oil extractions are carefully filtered and pressed so that what is left, can be taken back to organic farms locally, and composted – for the cycle to commence once again. We have invested in a beehive to promote biodiversity in the area and are collaborating with our local Wild Life Trust on some conservation projects. We tread lightly on this earth, always balancing to give back what we take from our wonderful planet.
Dr Spiezia, Founder of Inlight Beauty
The process of regeneration begins with a changing mindset. We want to turn fast fashion on its head by creating durable clothing intended to be passed down through families and friends as coveted pieces. We are soon to launch ‘Preloved | Reloved’, an area which will allow customers to trade in their best-loved pieces for coupons against a future purchase. These will be assessed to be repaired, re-sold or recycled. We will then collate these pieces alongside our own samples to create a mini circular-economy. Our design process always has long-lasting, thoughtful, necessary and timeless pieces at the forefront, to ensure we work to support nature.
The Team at Töastie
At Weleda, we’ve been using biodynamic methods to grow our own plant ingredients for 100 years for our natural health and beauty range. Biodynamics is a regenerative method of organic agriculture that rebuilds topsoil, increases biodiversity, enhances eco-systems, and strengthens the health and vitality of the farm (or garden). By embracing biodynamic growing at Weleda, we can be sure that we’re giving more back to the soil and the wider environment that we’re taking away in our crops.
Claire Hattersley, Head of Garden Development for Weleda UK
As a luxury jewellery brand, all our raw materials originate from the earth. We can’t change that fact, but do what we can to reduce our impact. Using 100% recycled precious metals sourced from UK certified Fair Trade suppliers. Recycling waste metals. Recycling diamonds from old jewellery pieces. Seeking out gemstone suppliers who give back to the land and communities where the stones are extracted. Supporting a carbon reduction initiative re-planting trees around the world. We take pride in our contribution and will strive to do more as we grow.
Holly Draper, Daniella Draper
We firmly believe that business can be a vehicle for positive impact. With AERA, our mission from the outset has been to give back more than we take from Mother Earth. Not only do we start with the most sustainable materials and processes to achieve the desired quality for our shoes, but we go one step further by scientifically measuring all our impacts and actively offset them by 110%. We do this in partnership with SCS Global Services, a leading third party certification agency. All of these efforts are transparently displayed on our site.
Tina Bhojwani, Co-Founder & CEO of AERA
Sustainability is an everyday commitment at KAMPOS. Our business approach is to produce in small quantity, recycle resources and eliminate waste. The next significant step is the launch of our loyalty program. We have worked on a unique concept to make our consumers understand they are part of the KAMPOS mission. Together, we will make a difference and protect our seas. We do not see them as members but as sea defenders, and we will reward their purchases but most importantly their contribution to help us recycle our products.
Alessandro Vergano, Founder of KAMPOS
Our business endeavours to sustain a regenerative circular business model through the careful sourcing of speciality materials whereby the decomposition of the fibres aid in restoring the biological nutrients back into the earth, the use of non-toxic decomposable packaging, and through proceeds of each sale, supporting ‘restoration ecology’ through our memberships in foundations that support sustainable ecosystems. Our focus remains as always, on having many positive impact strategies within the company culture rather than a sole focus on reducing negative impact.
Bav Tailor, Founder of BAV TAiLOR
Regeneration is a pretty broad word, just like sustainability. From the beginning, we’ve taken a very careful and well researched approach to our sourcing and supply chain. Our packaging is compostable at home, therefore it is part of a regenerative process. Beyond that, we are using organic cotton which is kinder to the environment and to the farmers. Our wool comes from family-owned farms in Australia, that have been raising sheep for their wool for multiple generations. Without a regenerative process already in place, these farms would no longer thrive or exist.
Monica Magdas Miller, Founder of Santicler
I have started ALBIVA with the opportunity and passion to do things differently – especially when it came to sustainability, placing it at the core of the company. From our beautiful wooden bottles that carry PEFC mark (sustainable forestry), packaging made from hand-made paper that is not plastic coated and 100% biodegradable, to using high quality natural and organic ingredients from sustainable sources, sustainability, waste reduction, reducing carbon footprint and taking care of the Earth is at the heart of what we do. Our customers can be sure that they are not only paying for the highest quality ingredients on the market, but that these ingredients have been bought with the greatest consideration. As one of my favourite proverbs state: “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” I personally believe it is our responsibility to cherish what remains of our nature and foster its renewal, and in the process be the best we can be. I have therefore carried my own personal values through the brand, making sure when sourcing our sustainable ingredients we integrate not only the environmental, but also the social and ethical factors and that issues such as natural resource depletion and environmental degradation are well considered. Many of our ingredients utilise the latest biotechnology from eco-designed production methods preventing over-exploitation of land and oceans, through to extraction methods. We are mindful of our water consumption, replacing aqua in our products with raspberry fruit derived water. We take pride in our efforts to respect the planet’s regeneration and as we always strive to do more, we are rolling out a number of initiatives, such as giving our customers the option to offset their carbon footprint.
Ivana Iesini, Founder of
ALBIVA
