If you’re a fan of Japanese beauty brands like &honey, Tsubaki, or Biore U, you’ve probably noticed that many of their products come in refill pouches in addition to bottles.
Japan has been a leader in refill culture for decades. Refill packs for shampoo and body wash became popular in the 1990s as part of nationwide efforts to reduce plastic waste. Today, many Japanese households consider refills the default choice, which helps explain why brands like &honey, Tsubaki and Biore U almost always launch refills alongside their standard bottles.
Here’s why making the switch to refills makes sense:
1. Significant Plastic Reduction
According to Kao, the maker of Biore U, refill pouches use ~80% less plastic compared to full-size bottles. This reduction is huge when you think about the millions of bottles sold every year. While plastic bottles can be recycled, according to data from the EPA, most plastic bottles end up in landfills. The biggest environmental impact, therefore, comes from reducing and reusing plastic containers, not from recycling.
2. Cost Savings Over Time
Refills are typically priced lower than full bottles because the cost of producing a pouch is cheaper than producing a rigid bottle with pumps and caps. Furthermore, studies show that wastage of products also decreased because of refill usage. For families or frequent users, this adds up to noticeable savings over time.
3. Better Shelf Life and Storage
Refill pouches are typically designed to be airtight and compact, which helps preserve the formula until you’re ready to use it. Many Japanese refill packs include a spout or cut line for easy pouring, reducing spills and contamination risk compared to decanting into random containers. In addition, it saves space when storing in your house, so you can buy multiple and keep them in your bathroom or storage area.
4. Reduction in CO2 / Carbon Footprint
Refill pouches result in reduction in manufacturing emissions and energy consumption. In addition, because the pouches are smaller and weigh less, transporting and shipping refills results in less carbon footprint. Furthermore, refill pouches are much less likely to break during transportation, making it an obvious choice for eCommerce customers.
5. No Compromise on Quality
The biggest advantage is that you’re still getting the exact same formula, whether it’s the honey-rich hydration of &honey, the salon-quality care of Tsubaki, or the gentle, moisturizing cleanse from Biore U. The only thing that changes is the packaging.
Sustainable Beauty
Refills are more than just a practical option; they’re part of a bigger movement toward sustainable beauty. By choosing refills, you’re cutting down on plastic use, saving money, and reducing carbon footprint.
Next time you reach for your favorite Japanese shampoo, conditioner, or body soap, consider the refill. It’s a small step, but when multiplied by millions of consumers, it makes a big difference.