You could recycle them, leave them on your dresser as decoration OR you could have them refilled with the original juice to use all over again.
As we become increasingly aware of our environmental impact on the earth, our strive to be more sustainable in every aspect of our lives only gets stronger.
From switching tampons for menstrual cups, face wipes for Face Halo and actively choosing sustainable beauty products, small changes can help to minimise your daily waste.
But what about your beautiful, albeit empty, perfume bottles?
No new bottle would have to be manufactured, you’d get to keep your favourite perfume of all time and you’d save a few pennies while you’re at it. Win-win.
In-store online refills
At the forefront of the eco-responsible concept is Thierry Mugler, having offered customers discounted top-ups since 1992. Today, you can still have the brand’s most popular scents, Angel Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette, Alien Eau de Parfum and Womanity Eau de Parfum, refilled in-store.
And according to 2011 sales figures, one bottle is refilled every 7 seconds, saving 383 tons of waste each year and over 2 million bottles repurposed. The service is called ‘The Source’ and you can search your nearest location via the website.
Le Labo boutiques offer a similar in-person service, refilling your empty bottle with a fresh, handmade batch of the originally purchased scent, at a 20 per cent discount. This is available for every Le Labo fragrance. And if that wasn’t incentive enough, the stores themselves are Instagrammable heaven and well worth a visit each time.
Alternatively, Eden perfumes provide a refill service that you can complete online. With 30ml bottle options, those who like to switch scents with the seasons will benefit from the convenient sizes and doorstep deliveries. Simply send your empty bottle(s) to the refill department via post and they’ll send them back topped-up and ready to go.
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Do-it-yourself refills
If you fancy being your own mixologist, By Kilian makes it easy for consumers to refill their own bottles. Each fragrance flacon is designed with a removable or unscrewable lid and the refill kits come with a dropper and funnel to ensure not one drop of juice escapes. The savings can be huge too, with some refills £100 cheaper than the original scent.
The magic of fragrance fountains
If you’re a true scent obsessive, fragrance fountains are the most magical way to refill your bottle.
After becoming a major hit in France, the giant vase-like vats of perfume are often made out of glass or crystal, with a bronze or gold faucet for controlled pouring.
In fact, it’s a fountain that Theirry Mugler use to refill the scents in store. But for a true hit of fancy, visit the Guerlain boutique, Place Vendome, the next time you’re in Paris. Here, they’ll refill the iconic Bee bottles.
If you’re looking for a similar experience in London, Caron offer a fragrance fountain experience at Fortnum and Mason, as well as in the Roja Haute Parfumerie within the Salon de Parfum at Harrods. These particular fountains are made of Daum Crystal and look incredible.
Who says reducing waste can’t be a luxe experience?
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