Sustainability at Shimmer: Our Small Ways of Making a Big Difference
We care deeply about what’s in the products we sell at Shimmer, but we also care about the packaging they come in, how we ship them to you, and what happens when they run out. Sustainability is built into our everyday choices—from the brands we stock to the way we handle your orders.
We’re not perfect (no one is), but we’re always trying to do better for our customers, our business, and the planet.
We reuse shipping materials—on purpose
Every week, we get deliveries from our vendors filled with beautiful clean beauty products—and usually, a whole lot of packing materials. Instead of tossing those out, we save what we can and reuse them when we pack your orders.
Is every package wrapped in perfectly matching tissue paper? Nope. But by reusing those materials, we reduce waste andkeep shipping costs down—which helps us avoid raising prices for you.
While we’re at it…Let’s talk about “free” shipping
We all love the sound of free shipping—but behind the scenes, someone always pays for it and it’s usually you. The shipping label, boxes, tape, tissue, time spent packing, and the delivery person bringing it to your door…none of that is free.
Big companies include those costs in their product pricing, subscriptions or hide those costs elsewhere, but small businesses can’t. We’ve made it a point to no longer use the phrase “free shipping” because when we do not charge a shipping fee on orders, that simply means that we are paying for it ourselves. We do our best to keep shipping affordable and transparent, but when you see a small fee at checkout, it’s helping us pay for real materials, real people, and real care.
Refillable Packaging
We love when brands give you the option to refill instead of repurchase. It’s better for the environment, easier on your wallet, and honestly just smart design.
RMS Beauty is a great example. Their ReDimension Hydra Powder Blushes come in a sturdy compact—and when you hit the pan, you can just buy a refill. No need to toss the whole thing. The same goes for their foundation, which also has a refillable cartridge system that keeps unnecessary packaging out of landfills.
We also love brands like One Love Organics, who go above and beyond with sustainability. Their boxes are FSC certified and made with 30% post-consumer waste, and their products come in recyclable glass bottles. Their entire facility is ECOCERT/COSMOS® licensed, which means their natural and organic products meet some of the highest sustainability standards in the industry.
And don’t sleep on Innersense Organic Beauty. They’re a Certified B Corp—meaning they’ve met rigorous standards for sustainability, ethics, and transparency.
TerraCycle Program
Shimmer is proud to be the only local boutique in our area offering a TerraCycle drop-off box. Not sure what that means? It’s basically the best way to responsibly recycle beauty packaging that your curbside bin won’t take—like pumps, squeeze tubes, and sprayers.
Once our box is full, TerraCycle breaks down the materials and turns them into things like park benches, picnic tables, and even city roads.
And to say thank you, we give you 10 bonus rewards points every time you bring in empties for the box. Just one more little nudge to help you build sustainable habits that feel good and do good.
Sustainability isn’t just a checkbox for us. It’s something we’re always thinking about—how we ship, what we carry, and what happens after the bottle is empty. If you ever have questions, suggestions, or want to know more, come by and chat. We love having those conversations, and we’re learning right alongside you.