Every year at around late March/April, everyone and everything takes on a green tint as what used to be Earth Day now stretches into Earth Month, and everyone takes on an “I’m greener than you” persona 😛
Cynical? I’m afraid so. I do my bit but I prefer to not talk about it because I don’t agree with everything out there and what I do believe in would likely draw the ire of most, so I prefer to hunker down, and quietly do my bit for the planet without shouting about it and being deemed a hypocrite.
Note: 3 samples are pictured but the programme allows for 3 empties = 1 sample (Samples pictured are for reference only. Actual items may differ and terms and conditions will apply)
But I thought a free sample of Origins products in exchange for something you’d throw away anyway, was something to mention 😀 (Terms updated below)
The Estee Lauder Group of Companies does a big Earth Month campaign every year and this year is no different. Their theme this year is that of Reduce. In that they encourage the reduction of use of non-biodegradable products especially for takeaways.
Here in Malaysia, so many of us thrive on takeaway foods and I dare bet, as you patronize your favourite economy rice (chap fun) stall, you are invariably handed a polystyrene box to take away your food. Aside from it not being environmentally friendly (polystyrene practically doesn’t biodegrade i.e. doesn’t get broken down so it remains forever and ever) it also poses a health risk. The latter is something that I think more of us should think about, even if you don’t think about the green aspects of it.
The other thing is that a lot of plastics that don’t biodegrade end up in our oceans and waters and this poses a danger to our marine life. So the theme adopted was also to conserve our oceans, protect our sharks and turtles and just be a little more responsible for ourselves.
Biodegrading would mean that things get broken down by microbes, so generally, most organic things will biodegrade over time. Even things like paper will but it’ll take longer than say, a banana peel. So if you’d like to learn more about this, there’s a small exhibition going on at Mid Valley Megamall South Court (Metrojaya) with some interesting info, which is interesting enough to keep the little ones entertained and maybe teach them a thing or two.
But if you’re not feeling very green (I don’t blame you. I get a little defensive when faced with too much green-washing too) then at least make some use of this Origins promo.
From now till March 30, bring 3 full size empties from any brand to the Origins booth at South Court, Mid Valley Megamall or any Origins counter and exchange it for 1 sample sized product. I mean, you’re going to toss these empties anyway right? Might as well let someone else dispose of it properly, and you get something out of it 😀 If you can, try to get a sample of the Make A Difference Plus moisturiser. I love it! 😀
Update: Due to overwhelming response (gosh! You guys sure can recycle if you want to!) Origins has had to limit sample redemptions to 1 sample per customer per day so everyone has a fair chance at this. 3 full size empties = 1 sample/person/day ok peeps?
Are you going to take advantage of the Origins free sampling programme? How do you feel about Earth Month?
I’ve been clearing out some empties lately so if I have the time, I might take them down to Origins. I’m not the greenest person out there (well, until I turn into the She-Hulk when I get pissed LOL) but I try, with whatever little bit I can. Everything starts with a small step right? 🙂
Paris B
LeGeeque says
March 22, 2014 at 8:48 amWell Earth Month is all and good to raise awareness of those who are not aware of it. But it sorta defeats the purpose if you go all out and recycle and be green just for that one month and leave water running from the tap while you brush your teeth the rest of the 11 months of the year.
I’m too old for these “months” now. Do what you can, do it well, do it frequently 😛
Paris B says
March 22, 2014 at 5:49 pmI’m for raising awareness, but I’m not for having it pushed down my throat or being guilted into doing something just because everyone is doing it or because everything thinks it’s the right thing to do. I think a lot of what we can and should do is based on common sense so there’s no point being green or aware of breast cancer for just a month (and buying pink and green stuff do not help the cause) but we should be aware everyday.
Fiona says
March 22, 2014 at 10:02 amLast year I redeemed 13 samples from the same campaign. This year will need to pass as I’ve toss away all the empties just before Chinese New Year. It’s insane how many empties I have.
Paris B says
March 22, 2014 at 5:51 pmWow 13 samples! What a lot of empties you must have had 😀 Not gonna to try to beat the record this year? 😉 I have a habit of tossing out my empties immediately after using so when I come to times like this, I’m slapping my forehead going “Why oh why did I clear my things out just last week!” LOL
synical says
March 22, 2014 at 11:19 amI thought Origins has this recycling campaign year round and not just for the duration of the campaign?
Sure I’m an empties hoarder (for those “exchange empty X for X” things), but I think I could get rid of SOME of them… but then it would entail me using up the samples (which I’m no where close to finishing)… #thirdworldproblems
Paris B says
March 22, 2014 at 5:54 pmI’m not sure Synical. Based on the info given, it’s as I’ve shared. I think a lot of the time, it’s more the fun of getting something for nothing, or rather something that you’re going to toss anyway. And it’s a good way to try something new. Goodness knows, most of us are up for that!
Jennifer says
March 22, 2014 at 4:59 pmThanks for sharing the news and encourage each of us beauties to contribute and be rewarded – definitely a win win situation all rounds 🙂 This is timely as I have kept a few empty bottles/jars for this purpose. Plus I really need to discard them soon as I have to make way for bigger things. So happy to read this post. Thanks again Paris. Earth month is a great initiative to cultivate environmental friendly behaviours. Slowly but surely as the awareness and gradual habit will form. I am looking forward to the Origins sample. Previously I tried the moisturizer sample sachet in pastel blue colour. Too bad I can’t recall the name but I definitely recall the lovely scent and my skin loved it!
Paris B says
March 22, 2014 at 5:58 pmI think most of us just want the rewards don’t we? hehe… Good on ya for holding on to your empties! I tend to toss mine out almost immediately which doesn’t make me the best candidate for this recycling programme LOL I think we owe it to ourselves to be a little more aware of the environment and our effects on it, but I don’t think we all need to be eco warriors and tree huggers. There are limits to what we can do and in a developing country, it’s harder to put a lot of things into practice. Hope you snag yourself a nice sample this time! See if they let you try the Make A Difference Plus+ moisturiser? I personally love it 😀
Jess says
March 25, 2014 at 6:47 amI was there last weekends and saw they are giving out sachet only, so maybe they have already run out of tube sample. Ah didnt bring my empties to exchange anyway.
However I did redeem the No Shark Fin t-shirt from HSBC after shopping 😛
Paris B says
March 26, 2014 at 10:56 amOoh yes the T-shirts were quite nice 🙂 And hmm I didn’t know about the sachet. Thanks for bringing it up.
Nikki says
March 25, 2014 at 7:08 pmAny Origins counter will do? Last year it was just the MV outlet right? Just checking. And it must be facial products is it? Thanks Paris.
Paris B says
March 26, 2014 at 11:00 amThat’s what I was told, Nikki that you can go to any Origins outlet. To be safe though, maybe hit up the MV one. They said cosmetics so I’m guessing facial product.
Nikki says
March 26, 2014 at 3:56 pmOk, understood. Thanks Paris. I’ll try out the other outlets first (those are nearer) and if not, MV if there’s still time. If only they’d extend the time period.
Paris B says
March 26, 2014 at 5:22 pmNo problem. Good luck!
sam says
March 25, 2014 at 10:22 pmconfirm 3 full size empties = 1 sample/person/day?
Paris B says
March 26, 2014 at 11:00 amThat is what I was told Sam. Basically only 1 redemption per person per day.