Malaysia remains one of the top global contributors to marine plastic pollution, with an estimated 73,098 metric tonnes of plastic waste ending up in the ocean annually— the equivalent of about 700 Blue Whales. By 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans if no action is taken. The beauty industry is a major contributor to plastic waste, with many products like face masks being sold in single-use plastic packaging and many skincare products containing microplastics that end up in waterways, thus harming marine life.
Few beauty brands have sustainability at the core of everything they do as L’Occitane en Provence. Many of the brand’s bottles are made from 100 per cent recycled plastic, while its factories use renewable energy sources. It also prioritises natural ingredients like almond oil from Provence. L’Occitane has also made a splash by being the main sponsor of Plastic Odyssey, the first global expedition dedicated to combating ocean plastic pollution at its source—on land, before it reaches the seas.
The 40m laboratory vessel recently arrived at Penang as a stop on its three-year journey, during which it promotes low-tech, open-source recycling solutions such as turning discarded plastic into useful products. Additionally, it aims to empower local communities by holding community events, hands-on workshops, and collaborations with social entrepreneurs to develop sustainable waste management practices in Penang. The L’Occitane & Plastic Odyssey Malaysia Stopover was held in conjunction with the Penang No Plastic Bag Every Day Campaign 2025.
During the official launch of the campaign, Elida Wong, General Manager for L’Occitane SEA & India, said, “Sustainability is not just a marketing campaign for us, but our responsibility as part of the beauty industry. The Big Little Things Recycling Programme is one of our proudest initiatives, which has been ongoing since 2019, where we collect beauty empties from any brand at all our stores and give samples to customers in return. We have given second life to 260 metric tons of rubbish, which is equivalent to 273 Perodua Myvi cars. This shows us that Malaysians are ready; they just need a bit of push to cultivate the habit.”
His Excellency Axel Cruau, Ambassador of France in Malaysia, said during the event: “Our present and our future are linked to the preservation of our oceans. Words are nothing without localised actions and without the commitment of passionate individuals.”
Skip a Paper Bag & Be Rewarded
From 1 March to 30 April 2025, customers at L’Occitane’s Gurney and Queensbay stores who choose to skip a paper bag will receive a complimentary gift as a token of appreciation for their conscious choice. Terms and conditions apply.
Lead image: The Plastic Odyssey laboratory vessel.
Photography by Yann Chavance and Maeva Bardy
