The
Green Hub

At the Green Hub, our granulators are the first stage of our closed loop for recycling our black pots and moulds, shredding them into small pieces of plastic which are then externally processed into smaller pellets. These pellets are then combined with other recycled plastics to be remoulded into more Lush black pots and moulds. The reformulation process ensures that the containers are thoroughly cleaned, fitted and as good as new when they arrive back in the factory to be filled, with less chance of leakage or weakening.

To tackle over 500t of dirty water each year our DAF (dissolved air flotation) unit brings our wastewater treatment process in house.
The process involves taking our laundry, granulator, barrel wash water and residual production waste water into our balancing tank. This is then processed in the daf unit where a sludge is formed that can go off for composting whilst a “clean” (mostly pink) stream of water can be recirculated for use in our granulator plastic washing process, before returning again in a closed loop process.
We’ll see savings around £30,000 per annum being able to send our wastewater to our local treatment works instead of shipping it with 3rd party contractors, we’ll reduce transport emissions and we’ll have more resale opportunities for cleaning our plastics inhouse too.

Did you know? The DAF (Dissolved Air Floatation) unit can process 9,000 litres of water per hour!

Spa service, washing laundry for UK Spas and shops.

Building & repurposing furniture for shops.

 As the repairs and maintenance team we look after 15 buildings within Poole carrying out emergency repairs, servicing and inspections on items from a canteen kettle to a large ribbon blender for production. It is so important to us to repair and repurpose to not only keep production going but to eliminate having to purchase new equipment.

We also repair and maintain the building is which we work with both reactive and planned preventative maintenance, with the property team completing 625 fixes in 2021, which was increased by 21% into 2022 with 769 fixes! The Repairs and Maintenance team look after over 300 pieces of large equipment and 13 factories from floor to roof.

In line with our freshness policy, we regularly donate surplus products to various causes we hold dear to our heart, and we don’t stop at products – furniture, packaging, boots, spa robes and more are donated to charities that support human care, earthcare and animal care. These places include (to name a few!) homeless shelters, hospices, care homes, women’s shelters, and even hedgehog sanctuaries.

2021
In total, 65,900 items were donated; 80% of which were products, 19% of which was packaging and Lush Times, and the remaining 1% were miscellaneous items such as boots, clothing and furniture.

2022
107,974 products donated.

2023
So far in Jan & Feb (no March figures yet), we’ve donated 17,807 products. 

Plastic Production
Before our products can take shape, they need a mould, and that’s where this department comes in. Taking lead from the minds of our inventors, the moulds department mass produces plastic moulds, and without them our products couldn’t be sold naked! Offcuts from our moulds production and moulds that can no longer be used are granulated, ready to be sent away to our supplier, turned back into plastic sheeting, and continue their life as more moulds.

From trash to treasure – Finding new homes for treasures from across the business, providing a chance to raise funds for local grass root charities.

Summer Sessions at Lush Green Hub
£15 per child.

Summer sessions include:
– Making a Lush product
– Upcycling craft sessions
– A look around our ‘Shop Again’ store, a place for Lush’s preloved treasures
… all at the new Lush Green Hub!

Dates
Each Wednesday in August, 10am or 2pm
To book – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/summer-sessions-lush-green-hub-tickets-657461373667