"A refill with value for the planet"... Our approach to World Refill Day today
Today, June 16, is World Refill Day, a global campaign to create a world free of single-use plastic. It is a day that envisions a shift toward a Circular Economy, where we move beyond disposable, use-once-and-throw-away consumption and save resources by refilling containers. Here is a detailed look at refill culture, which is emerging as a small diet for the planet and a new part of everyday life for all of us.
Q1. So today is World Refill Day? When did it begin, and why was it created?
World Refill Day is a global environmental campaign day established to reduce single-use plastic consumption and spread reuse culture. With the participation of global environmental groups and citizens, it began in earnest in 2020 as an international campaign held every year on June 16 around the world. Its goal is to prevent the vast amount of plastic waste generated by humanity each year from polluting the oceans and soil, and to replace the old habit of buying new items and throwing them away easily with a refill culture that becomes part of everyday life worldwide.
Q2. What is the key message or slogan for the day?
The campaign usually carries the slogan, "Choose to Reuse." It is not just a familiar call to stop using plastic. Instead, it encourages consumers to actively choose reuse and refilling when making purchases. Treating environmental protection as an important part of daily life, carrying an empty container and refilling it is increasingly seen as a positive influence for the planet and a stylish way of living.
Q3. In celebration of World Refill Day, what small actions can we take in our daily lives?
You can take part fully with just one small reusable item in your bag, without any major preparation. Here are three recommended ways.
First, bring reusable containers:Use a personal tumbler instead of a disposable cup at a cafe, and bring a sealed container when packing food instead of using delivery containers.
Second, visit a refill station:Instead of buying shampoo, body wash, or detergent in new packaging, bring an empty container and purchase only the contents by weight at a store that offers refills.
Third, choose Zero waste products:This means choosing solid soap or solid toothpaste wrapped only in paper, rather than liquid products in plastic containers, and minimizing packaging waste itself.
Q4. Recently, refill has also emerged as a new trend in the beauty industry, hasn't it?
Much more than you might think. In particular, the moves by the global beauty company L'Oréal Group stand out. L'Oréal runs a World Refill Day campaign every year to establish refill as a new consumer standard in the beauty market and promote sustainable consumption. Since 2019, it has pursued a strategy to increase packaging circularity, expanding the number of refillable products by 3.7 times. This year, it is launching its largest-ever refill campaign across all categories, from skincare and makeup to hair care and fragrance.
Q5. I heard L'Oréal Korea is also running a special campaign in Korea.
L'Oréal Korea is carrying out a large-scale refill promotion in partnership with major domestic e-commerce and distribution platforms, including NAVER, Olive Young, Coupang, and Kakao. Major brands beloved by consumers, such as Kiehl's, Lancôme, YSL Beauty, Prada Beauty, Giorgio Armani Beauty, and Kérastase, are taking part in the campaign. It is a welcome sign that refill products are expanding beyond hair care to include premium fragrances, makeup, and skincare across the beauty category.
Q6. What specific benefits or events can consumers take part in?
A variety of channel-specific promotions are currently underway, mainly through NAVER and Olive Young. On NAVER, products from participating refill brands are available at discounts of up to 23%, and customers who spend more than 50,000 won can receive additional coupons worth up to 10% off. L'Oréal's integrated membership program, My Beauty Box (MBB), is also offering generous prize events for new sign-ups, making this a great opportunity to try favorite beauty items in refill form at a reasonable price.
Q7. How will these corporate efforts in refill and packaging innovation change our future?
They are evolving beyond a one-time event into a major environmental initiative for the future. Under its 2030 sustainability goals, L'Oréal for the Future, the company has already cut its use of virgin plastic by 37% and raised the share of recyclable and bio-based materials in packaging to 44%. It is also actively working with startups developing next-generation solutions such as seaweed-based packaging, sugarcane-derived bioplastics, and recycled paper bottles. If these technological innovations from companies and consumers' preference for value-based consumption create synergy, a beauty ecosystem without plastic waste may soon become a natural part of everyday life.
In one line: Marking World Refill Day, L'Oréal Korea's large-scale campaign goes beyond simple environmental protection. It is the beginning of a refined circular lifestyle that brings eco-friendly products naturally into consumers' daily routines and tastes.
This content was prepared by MaeKyung Biz Content Planning Team based on official announcements and press releases.
