Working closely with the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), L’Occitane has converted its Westfield Bondi Junction Boutique into a fully functional, five-star Design Review rated certified Green Store, a global first for the brand.
This is a rare achievement in the retail space – to date only 19 per cent of the 3,000 plus buildings certified by the GBCA are retail. Of these, only three retailers have achieved a Green Star rating using the Interiors tool, which L’Occitane is on track to join.
The qualification recognises a standard of excellence in sustainable and environmentally conscious design, construction and operation. From demolition through to construction, sustainability was the paramount consideration in the development of the Green Store.
The store’s benchtops and the ice-breaker sink were all manufactured with TerraCycle glass supplied by L’Occitane’s in-store TerraCycle program. This repurposing of waste enabled L’Occitane to close the loop on the circular economy. The Boutique’s current furniture will also be transferred to other boutiques as part of their planned refresh.
The physical build of the boutique was also undertaken with partners who shared the same ethos and values. Working with L’Occitane ensuring the materials used are supported by credible environmental certifications including the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest, the GBCA’s Tag and Good Environmental Choice Australia. From the structural timber to the joinery, render and paint finish, these elements have each contributed to the boutique receiving a five-star Design Review rating.
Another key feature, both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally beneficial is the living Green Wall with a fully integrated irrigation system that will act as a natural air-filter whereby the plants help metabolise toxins in the air, while simultaneously releasing oxygen.
Beyond promoting sustainable practices from an environmental perspective, the Boutique has also been designed and built with mechanisms that offer optimal comfort for employees and consumers alike.
To ensure that sustainability remains at the heart of the Green Store, it has also been equipped with mechanisms that allow for continual monitoring to identify new ways to minimise resource consumption and contribute to achieving Green Star certification.
The Green Store’s other eco-conscious initiative includes L’Occitane’s innovative Refill Fountain where consumers can refill some of their favourite L’Occitane products over and over again via the one-time purchase of a Forever Bottle. Made from long-lasting, lightweight and 100 per cent recyclable aluminium, these bottles are helping pave the way towards a plastic free future and not only allow consumers to significantly diminish their environmental footprint but enjoy long-term financial benefit with each refill of their forever bottle saving an average of 20 per cent.