“A sustainable lifestyle doesn’t begin with grand changes.
When we refill the containers of products we use every day,
those small acts accumulate into a powerful movement for the planet.”
Refill, Growing Into a Culture
In February 2025, Aromatica designated the 21st of every month as Refill Day. On this day, customers who bring empty bottles to our stores receive a free refill, reducing single-use plastic and reviving the value of reuse. This was not a sudden declaration—it has been part of our journey.
In 2016, we introduced refill pouches, rethinking better ways of consumption. Since 2020, we have operated refill stations in our offline stores, steadily spreading “the life of refilling” into a cultural movement.
2,216 Participants, 1,000,000ml Refilled
From February to June 2025, a total of 2,216 customers participated in Refill Day, and together they refilled nearly 1,000,000ml of product. These numbers are more than statistics—they are living proof that the way we consume is changing.
Refill Day has become a small monthly festival where we reconnect, not only as consumers but as active practitioners of sustainable living.
Stronger Guidelines for a Healthier Refill Culture
From the second half of the year, container standards are being reinforced for safer, healthier refills. Many of you have joined us with carefully prepared empty bottles. By July—our sixth Refill Day—we realized the need to clarify and strengthen our refill container guidelines.
At times, customers who traveled long distances couldn’t receive a refill due to containers that weren’t suitable. While disappointing, this was also necessary for fairness and safety—to respect those who prepared their bottles with care. From now on, every small rule will be upheld to ensure a safe, trustworthy refill culture for all.
Stronger Guidelines for a Healthier Refill Culture
From the second half of the year, container standards are being reinforced for safer, healthier refills. Many of you have joined us with carefully prepared empty bottles. By July—our sixth Refill Day—we realized the need to clarify and strengthen our refill container guidelines.
At times, customers who traveled long distances couldn’t receive a refill due to containers that weren’t suitable. While disappointing, this was also necessary for fairness and safety—to respect those who prepared their bottles with care. From now on, every small rule will be upheld to ensure a safe, trustworthy refill culture for all.
Refill Day Container Guidelines (Updated July 2025)
| Category | First Half of 2025 | Second Half of 2025 (from July) |
|---|---|---|
| Container Condition | Washed and recommended to be fully dried (18+ hrs). Some on-site drying allowed. | Must be completely washed and fully dried (18+ hrs). No moisture allowed. Refills not possible if damp. |
| Residual Product | Refills allowed even with remaining product (if same formula). | Same. |
| Non-Aromatica Containers | All brands welcome. | Same. |
| Food/Disposable Containers | Limited use allowed (water bottles, beverage bottles). | No longer allowed. PET water bottles and beverage bottles excluded. |
| Pump Washing | Pumps must not be washed (to prevent bacterial growth). Bring as-is. | Same. |
Why the Change?
As refill culture grows, so must its standards. These changes ensure hygiene, fairness, and respect for everyone’s effort.
The most important update: water bottles and beverage bottles will no longer be accepted. This isn’t just a hygiene issue. Such bottles are made for single use by design. Allowing them could encourage the mindset: “I’ll just buy a bottled drink and reuse the container for refills.” This runs counter to our refill philosophy, which is centered on reuse—not single-use repurposing.
Operationally, these bottles also created recurring challenges: damp containers brought in right after drinking, or makeshift drying with tissues at the site. To ensure safe and consistent refills, we made the decision to exclude disposable food/beverage containers starting July 2025.
Refilling Hands, Rethinking Life
Refill is more than just reducing plastic. It’s an attitude of responsibility for everything we use. It is a way of not only replenishing products, but also reimagining how we replenish the world.
In the second half of the year, Aromatica will continue expanding this culture, so that more people can naturally take part in “the life of refilling.” Our goal is for refill to become a new standard of everyday living.
For sustainable beauty — Refill more, Waste less.