The Compostable Refill Pouch Guide

At Bramley, we're very aware of the impact that packaging has on the planet, and that a high proportion comes from the beauty industry. According to The Courage to Change report by the British Beauty Council, we produce over 120 billion units of packaging globally*.

Minimising this footprint has always been at the heart of Bramley’s mission, and we’ve always done things differently - offering recyclable and refillable options at a time when miniature single-use plastic bottles were the norm.

Our compostable refill pouches offer a sustainable way to top up your favourite Bramley home, bath, and now, skincare products. Here’s everything you need to know!

Time to Decant – and Why It Matters

Our compostable refill pouches have a limited shelf life. To ensure freshness and avoid breakdown before you’re ready, we recommend decanting the product into your bottle within 5 days of receiving your order.

What Makes Our Pouches Different?

Unlike other refill pouches, ours contain no plastic. Composed of two parts: an inner compostable pouch made from a cellulose and biopolymer composite and an outer cardboard wallet to help with the easy decant of your product. They’re fully compostable and break down naturally in your home compost heap within about 32 weeks. The cardboard used has both FSC and PEFC certification and is 100% recycled and 100% recyclable. 
Important: Compostable materials cannot be recycled. If they end up in your recycling bin, they’ll contaminate other recyclables. Stick them in your compost, and you’re all set!

How to Use Your Refill Pouch

Refilling your Bramley products couldn’t be easier. Here’s how you do it:

1. Rinse your empty container out with warm, soapy water. For extra cleanliness, give the inside a spritz with our Aloe Vera Alcohol Cleansing Solution. Allow to dry.

2. Snip the corner off — Cut along the appropriate line (A for thicker liquids like shampoo or B for thinner liquids like serums).

3. Pinch the pouch closed where marked, then turn it upside down directly above your bottle.

4. Release the pinch and let the liquid flow into your bottle. If needed, gently squeeze the pouch to get every last drop.

5. Separate the pouch and wallet, place the cardboard wallet in your recycling and rinse out the inner pouch and place it in your garden waste or home compost - simple!

Why Compostable and Not Just Biodegradable?

While both compostable and biodegradable materials break down naturally, compostable materials are designed to break down into natural elements, within a certain timeframe, and in the right conditions – like in your home compost heap. Some biodegradable products can take years to break down and some may leave harmful residues. So, by choosing our compostable refill pouches, you’re getting a product that’s environmentally safer.

Refills Delivered Straight to Your Door

Our refill pouches are filled to order by our partners, On Repeat, so they’re shipped separately. If you order other items at the same time, you’ll receive a split shipment with a £1.90 postage charge for the refill. Currently available for shipping only within the UK, Jersey, and Guernsey.

The New Launch: Skincare Refills!

We're excited to announce that we're now offering Compostable Skincare Refill Pouches for our award-winning Bramley Skin products. You can now enjoy the same sustainable refill options for your natural skincare routine as you do for our bath and body products. It’s just another step toward making it easier for you to enjoy luxury, while keeping sustainability at the heart of everything we do.

Why Choose Bramley Refill Pouches?

By choosing to refill with Bramley, you save over 15% on buying a ready filled product, all while helping to reduce waste and lower your carbon footprint, and continue enjoying our naturally derived, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free products.
Ready to make the switch? Refill your favourite Bramley products, from skincare to home and bathroom, in a way that’s as kind to the planet as it is to your skin!

*The Courage To Change, British Beauty Council