Cover L’Occitane en Provence welcomes Plastic Odyssey to Penang, Malaysia (Photo: L’Occitane Malaysia)
L’Occitane en Provence welcomes Plastic Odyssey to Penang, Malaysia (Photo: L’Occitane Malaysia)
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In the fight against plastic pollution, L’Occitane en Provence, Plastic Odyssey, and Penang Green Council are driving change and empowering communities to take action
Plastic waste has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, and Malaysia finds itself at the heart of this crisis. Each day, the country generates an overwhelming 39,078 metric tonnes of plastic waste—adding up to a staggering 14.26 million tonnes annually. Even more alarming, an estimated 73,098 metric tonnes of this waste finds its way into ocean ecosystems each year, positioning Malaysia amongst the world's largest contributors to marine plastic pollution. From polluted coastlines to marine life entangled in debris, the consequences of excessive plastic consumption are devastating, underscoring the urgent need for action.
Recognising the scale of this crisis, L’Occitane en Provence has taken a proactive stance in the fight against plastic pollution, reinforcing its commitment to creating a cleaner future through meaningful action by partnering up with Plastic Odyssey as its main sponsor, a global expedition dedicated to tackling plastic pollution at its source—on land.
Read more: From Provence to the world: How L'Occitane is setting the standard for sustainable beauty
After making successful stops in Indonesia, Hong Kong, and the Philippines, the expedition recently made its way to our shores in Penang, inviting local communities to hop onboard and witness firsthand how innovative solutions and collective action can transform environmental challenges into sustainable possibilities.
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The Plastic Odyssey vessel, serving as both a mobile laboratory and an educational platform, welcomed guests on deck for an immersive onboard experience, where they had the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops, engage in thought-provoking discussions with sustainability experts, and discover the innovative methods to repurpose plastic waste into valuable resources.
Beyond education, the Plastic Odyssey stopover in Penang was a call to action, empowering individuals to rethink their plastic consumption and embrace solutions that drive real impact. This mission aligns seamlessly with L’Occitane en Provence’s own sustainability efforts, particularly its Big Little Things (BLT) Recycling Program.
In case you missed it: L’Occitane en Provence CEO Adrien Geiger on finding creative, practical ways to fight plastic waste
“Sustainability is at the core of everything we do, from supporting impactful initiatives like Plastic Odyssey to designing eco-conscious products and prioritising responsible sourcing and waste reduction,” explains Elida Wong, general manager of L'Occitane SEA and India. “Our global commitment to achieving carbon net-zero by 2050 is reflected in our local efforts. In Malaysia, one of our proudest initiatives is the Big Little Things (BLT) Recycling Program—a simple yet powerful movement that encourages customers to recycle beauty empties and contribute to a circular economy.”
Since its launch in 2019, the BLT recycling program has collected over 4.9 million beauty empties, preventing 260 metric tonnes of waste from clogging landfills and polluting the environment. But the mission doesn’t stop there. L’Occitane has set an ambitious goal: to collect as many empties as it sells, closing the loop on waste and fostering a true circular economy.
See also: How L’Occitane created hand care that protects and provides
Building on these efforts, L’Occitane en Provence is taking an active role in supporting the Penang Green Council’s Penang No Plastic Bag Every Day Campaign 2025 by integrating a new incentive into its existing sustainability initiatives. From March 1 to April 30, 2025, customers who shop at L’Occitane’s Gurney and Queensbay stores and opt out of receiving a paper bag with their purchase will receive a complimentary gift, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to fostering a culture of mindful consumption.
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Credits
Images: L’Occitane Malaysia
About
Phyll Wu is the Style Writer of Tatler Malaysia. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she's an avid fashion geek who loves all things beauty, pop-culture, and film.
