We're committed to working with our suppliers and vendors to find creative ways to further reduce the amount of paper, packaging, and virgin materials used in our product packaging and throughout our business operations. Since 2005, Bath & Body Works has been a partner in the U.S. EPA’s WasteWise program, which works with companies to increase waste management efforts and promote the use and reuse of materials more productively over their entire life cycles. Our efforts have been centered on:

• Increasing the use of Post-consumer Recycled resins in our product packaging
• Increasing the use of Post-consumer Recycled fiber in our shopping bags, shipping cartons and store marketing
• Elimination of PVC containers
• Pallet recycling/repurpose
• Product re-use (donations/sample sales)
• Other recycling.

All of the waste from our Columbus, Ohio, operations is sent to a materials recovery facility, which receives, separates and prepares recyclable materials for marketing to end-user manufacturers. In addition, below is a list of some of the items Bath & Body Works recycled in 2021:

• 17,850 pounds of aerosol products
• 3,478 tons of corrugate
• 72 tons of industrial batteries from power equipment
• 93 tons of ethyl alcohol from personal care products 
• 199 tons of metal
• 193 tons of plastic
• 321 tons of mixed paper
• 61 tons of electronics
• 44 tons of glass

Additionally, in 2021, Bath and Body Works was able to avoid disposal of the following items by collaborating with outside partners that could repurpose the materials:

• 364 tons of products and ingredients
• 1,287 tons of wood from pallets
• 123 tons of electronics

In total, during 2021, more than 6,240 tons of material were prevented from going to landfill through reuse and recycling.

Efficient Packaging

Our merchandise is stored and shipped in fully recyclable cartons, utilizing post- and pre-consumer consumer recycled content based on availability.

Store Recycling Containers

Recyclable personal care products from our stores are packaged and shipped in five-gallon plastic pails to a recycling and reclamation facility. The containers are emptied, cleaned and returned to the stores for reuse. In 2021, approximately 17,850 pounds of aerosol products and 93 tons of ethyl alcohol containing products were recycled.

Pallets

Merchandise that is received from vendors is often shipped on wood pallets. We reuse the pallets to handle merchandise in our distribution centers. Pallets that are damaged are sent to a third party for repair and are redistributed for further use. Pallets unable to be reused are ground into fine wood shavings and are ultimately used for purposes such as mulch for landscaping. By sending pallets back to the vendors for recycling or reuse, more than 1,287 tons of wood were not sent to the landfill in 2021.