The Inkey List has published its annual social impact report, revealing its progress on issues around sustainability and inclusivity in 2024.
The B Corp-certified company said the report shows how it is “moving in the right direction” and being accountable, rather than shooting for perfection.
Founders Colette Laxton and Mark Curry said in a statement in the report that The Inkey List has “made significant steps in our commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and community empowerment”.
Documenting its progress on a range of areas, including ingredients, packaging and carbon offsetting, here are the key takeaways.
Packaging and ingredients
The Inkey List has cut down on plastic and switched to more sustainable materials in a bid to help the planet.
Its packaging is 100% recyclable, using on average 55% PCR – this means post-consumer recycled plastic.
This is plastic that has been thrown away and is then recycled into new packaging, rather than ending up in landfill.
The brand said it has just launched its first 100% PCR pack for its Glycolic Acid Exfoliating stick.
But it intends to roll this out further in future.
Meanwhile, mono-material tubes are used to make recycling easier, while only sustainable paper and board are used, along with non-carbon black ink, which makes it easier to recycle.
Responsible sourcing and working with ethical suppliers is also part of its commitment to being a B-Corp.
Carbon footprint
Outlining its approach to carbon, the brand said it is tracking, measuring and reducing it as part of its B-Corp commitment – a status it achieved in 2023.
“As we grow, so does our impact. More products, more shipments, and a bigger team mean more emissions,” The Inkey List said in the report.
“But we are not here to sit back and accept that.
“We are making real changes wherever we can – optimising warehouse storage and transport to improve energy efficiency, cutting down emissions from employee travel by encouraging greener alternatives, and always exploring more sustainable options as we scale.”
The company’s office in the UK runs on renewable energy, while its US office in Hoboken, New Jersey is green certified.
People and education
The brand outlined its Impact Fund, which helps back young people and their education in partnership with the organisation Ashoka.
"Over the past the years, The Inkey List has supported us at Ashoka to unleash the magic of young people as leaders and powerful changemakers for their communities,” said Vipin Thekk, Ashoka Leadership Group Member.
“The Togetherness Practice we have created is now helping educators find their purpose and joy in education, thus creating ripple effects of change.
“We are grateful to The Inkey List for their support in building an everyone a changemaker world."
It is also working with The Togetherness Practice, which it describes as “a game-changing approach that builds stronger connections between teachers and students”.
It has already reached 200,000 students and teachers in greater Manchester, UK, and 114,000 at Arizona State University in the US.
In 2025, it expects to expand the project to more schools, colleges and institutions.
The brand is also a supporter of Nottingham Lions LGBTQ+ Football Club and Nottingham Forest Women’s Netball Team