(Source Credits: Plastics For Change)

Our journey with Garnier India has been years in the making. Things really took shape in 2020, when Garnier teamed up with us. They wanted to make their packaging more sustainable and source recycled plastic through ethical supply chains that directly support waste collectors.

Then came a big moment, the launch of our plastic collection center in Chennai in November 2022. It was a bold step. A space created to collect ocean-bound plastic and uplift communities around it. In the first year alone, the center aimed to collect over 2,000 tons of plastic and engage nearly 2,000 people from local neighborhoods.

This plastic waste is transformed into packaging for Garnier’s Ultra Doux haircare range in Europe. The bottles were made using 100% recycled plastic, with 30% coming directly from waste collected near coastlines.

When Garnier Hit the Beach with Us (Literally)

This World Environment Day, Garnier decided to go beyond token sustainability posts and do something real. We organised a massive beach cleanup drive across coastal India. This one brought together students, volunteers, influencers, everyday folks, and even celebrities.

And wow, it was something else.

People showed up early in the morning, ready with gloves, reusable bags, and that look in their eyes, the one that says, “Let’s change something today.” We collected plastic waste and more importantly, we sparked conversations. About the problem. About the system. And about the people who’ve been cleaning up this mess long before the hashtags — our waste collectors.

(Source Credits: Plastics For Change)

Why This Mattered So Much?

At Plastics For Change, we’ve always said this: plastic pollution is not just an environmental crisis, it’s a human one. And the people stopping plastic waste from reaching the sea? They’re informal waste workers, women and men who walk miles each day, picking up discarded plastic, with barely any support or recognition.

We’ve been working to change that through ethical sourcing, fair trade supply chains, e-tricycles, better working conditions, and even homes made from hard-to-recycle plastic. And brands that truly want to be part of the solution? We welcome them with open arms.

That’s why this partnership with Garnier meant so much. They didn’t just donate or sponsor something. They showed up. Their team showed up. Their audience showed up. And through this cleanup, they showed the country that beauty brands can lead from the front.

What Made This Cleanup Different?

It was massive: Cleanups happened in coastal regions in India bringing together thousands of people, from school kids to social media influencers.
It was personal: People heard first-hand from our team and our waste collector community. They saw the scale of the problem. They got involved.
It was visible: Sustainability Influencers and even celebrities lent their voice and their time to the cause.
It was empowering: This showed how brands, people, and communities can co-create real change.

So, What Now?

The beach is cleaner, but the work’s far from over. What this event proved is simple: When brands show up with purpose, people follow. And when people come together, we make progress.

We’re so glad Garnier chose to walk this path with us. A movement that puts waste collectors at the center, makes plastic waste part of the solution, and reimagines what beauty really means inside and out.

Let’s keep going. More coastlines to protect. More stories to tell. More hands to join.

Because the real beauty? It’s in action.