LUSH

I absolutely despise shopping for gifts but the ladies at this store really knocked it out of the park. They went above and beyond for me -- finding everything I needed and wrapping my gift in a super cute rose themed handkerchief!

Went in to look at their toothpaste alternative "Toothy-Tabs" - it tastes great, of breath freshening herbs and not at all chalky or tasting of baking soda, and foams up just like the toothpaste we've all known and used all our lives and leaves teeth feeling super clean but for me this product has ONE MAJOR DRAWBACK - it comes packaged in a plastic bottle. the only reason I have decided to move away from traditional toothpastes (and what drew me to Lush and their products in the first place, that being a lack of plastic packaging) is that many municipalities do not (and cannot) recycle traditional toothpaste tubes. coupled with the large plastic flip-top lid (what happened to the small screw-top caps?) it's far more plastic than I would like to contribute to the environment just to brush my teeth (a box of baking soda does the job and comes in a cardboard box!) so I thought that these tabs would be a great alternative, but sadly, they also come packaged in plastic. sure, I could recycle the bottle, but the cap is black and the city of Toronto cannot process black plastic (it ends up being diverted to landfill sites) and Canada (and the rest of the developed world) is finding it increasingly difficult to find 3rd world/developing nations to export our waste to (China no longer accepts foreign recyclables, the Philippines is threatening us with war, and many shipping containers of supposed recyclables are tainted with additional waste that will render the entire cargo load un-recyclable) so throwing the clear bottle into the blue bin is not an acceptable solution for me anymore. I refuse to participate in our continual apathetic "out of sight-out of mind" behavioural mode. I demand that Lush offer a packaging solutions for this and other products that doesn't continue to contribute to our global crisis. I know of a company from Nelson, BC, offers similar tabs in a card-tube packaging (but is not as accessible to consumers as Lush and their products are). why can't Lush do the same or offer them in a card-stock box or an aluminum tin like mints?
The staff member was nice and sympathized with my disappointment at the packaging, but I doubt they will be able to forward my distaste for the packaging to the proper channels, so I am posting this here in hopes that it may reach the right ones at head office (especially since their website is buggy and any attempts of mine to leave reviews there are met with a "an error has occurred" message).

I love Lush, I like what they stand for and how bold and vibrant they are in proclaiming it.

I love the scents and smells, I love the shapes and textures, I love how engaged the staff are and how knowledgeable.

A good place for gifts and treats, especially for yourself. I only ever need to buy one item to lift my spirits.

Love the smell of that place. My favorite Shampoo and Conditioners. I also love to buy their Turkish Delight for my skin, as well as their henna. I have been using their henna on my hair for possibly ten years, I apply it every six weeks and my hair looks and smells amazing. Great service consistently!

While Lush isn't really my thing, the service we received was absolutely fabulous from a beautifully Decked Out alternative fashioned lady with lime green hair. She Not only was knowledgeable about the product I came in specifically to ask about, she was overly patient with my old father who had to tell her to her face that her style is amazing. I love the product I purchased which was the hair bar! I wouldn't have known to buy the case along with it if it wasn't for her help.