At Bath & Body Works, we are deepening our focus on what truly matters — people, communities, and our planet. We're committed to shaping a future that's resilient, responsible, and filled with possibilities through our sustainability initiatives.
Two years ago, we engaged our store associates around our new ESG strategy, where we gained valuable insight into the existing process for managing our marked-out-of-stock product inventory (MOS products – unable to be sold to customers, e.g., end of season products) and the strong desire store Associates had for change. A group of cross-functional Associates identified this opportunity to reduce our environmental impact while simultaneously creating positive social impact by donating these products to local nonprofits. This team worked to develop, align, and execute a pilot as proof-of-concept to collect, transport and donate this product to local nonprofits. This included negotiating with external transportation partners, creating new in-store operating procedures and working with our community and philanthropy team to find a partner to help distribute product across our various markets.
We partnered with Good360, whose mission is to close the need gap by working with socially responsible companies to source highly needed donated goods and distribute them through its network of more than 100,000 vetted nonprofits. In doing so, Good360 opens opportunity for those in need, for the nonprofits that support them and for companies that donate the goods, all while keeping usable items out of landfills. We started our pilot in 2023 with a group of 20 stores across three geographically diverse markets and expanded the pilot to a total of 30 stores plus our distribution and fulfillment centers. In 2024, we began expanding this project to almost 900 stores and all distribution centers. To date, through this program, our stores have donated 927,000 units of product, keeping 459,600 pounds of waste from landfill. It’s projected that once at full scale and chain-wide adoption, we’ll be able to donate more than 3.4 million units of product, diverting more than 2.1 million pounds of waste from landfill.
One touching story of the impact this program is making is that of a disabled Vietnam veteran and his wife who lived in their home for 56 years. On a limited income, they were already struggling with the rising costs of groceries and supplies. When the tornado destroyed their home, they were at a loss for where to go and how to start over. 180 Disaster Relief, who also connected the couple with housing resources and financial support, surprised the couple with their favorite Bath & Body Works products, which included candles, kitchen soap, lotions, perfumes, and shower items. The wife’s tears of joy and heartfelt gratitude were a testament to the profound impact of this donation. "Bath & Body Works is my favorite store!" she exclaimed, overwhelmed with emotion.
This program is an inspiration of what a determined group of Associates can accomplish to creatively solve a sustainability challenge of reducing waste to landfill, along with making a difference in our local communities.
