L’Occitane Amplifies Its Sustainability Message with Documentary Screening in China

In the lead-up to Earth Day, L’Occitane en Provence hosted a special screening of “Plastic Odyssey: The Hudson Mission” in Shanghai on April 17, bringing together media, non-profit organizations, and over a hundred of its own employees. The documentary chronicles the ambitious voyage of Plastic Odyssey—a vessel transformed into a floating recycling lab—designed to raise global awareness of plastic pollution and spotlight innovative, grassroots solutions.

For L’Occitane, the event served as both an environmental statement and a reflection of its long-term investment in sustainable practices.

The three-year voyage, which set sail from Marseille in October 2022, aims to visit more than 30 countries to promote affordable, replicable plastic recycling technologies. As a key sponsor of the initiative, L’Occitane has backed the project’s mission to turn local innovation into global impact. So far, Plastic Odyssey has reached over 20 countries, supported the setup of 15 micro-recycling plants, and trained hundreds of local practitioners in waste management solutions.

But the brand’s ambitions extend well beyond the seas. In China, L’Occitane has been steadily rolling out its “Empty Bottle Recycling Program,” inviting consumers to return used product packaging to its stores for recycling. The returned materials are then processed—sorted, cleaned, crushed, and melted—to be repurposed into sustainable goods.

To encourage wider participation, the brand offers its rewards scheme: every returned bottle earns 10 points, capped at 50 points per month, which customers can redeem for exclusive services and benefits.