Packaging

Act + Acre relies almost entirely on plastic for their primary packaging. However, they've made significant strides to incorporate PCR materials. Bottles are made of recycled PET, which is one of the most recyclable plastics. Bottles are designed to be refillable and the brand has introduced a refill pouch program which has allowed them to curb 60% of plastic use per refill. Secondary packaging is made from 100% PCR recycled material.

Ingredient Sustainability

Act + Acre demonstrates a clear preference for plant-based, low impact ingredients in their formulations. They also leverage some lab-grown plant cultures to replace less sustainable inputs (like replacing silicons with plant-based emollient esters). The brand is fully transparent about formulations, going so far as to highlight percentage of key active ingredients.

Still, there is limited information regarding the sourcing specifics and the brand lacks key certifications that could help bolster sustainability claims. Act + Acre claims they “partner with farms and labs that subscribe to sustainable business practices.”

Energy Use and Footprint

Act + Acre uses the patented Cold Processed® production method, which uses ice-cold water and high pressure instead of heat to combine ingredients. This allows them to consume ~90% less energy than conventional production. The company claims carbon neutrality since 2020, indicating they've taken steps to measure, reduce, and offset their emissions, though they still lack official certification.

Waste Management

In terms of manufacturing waste, Act + Acre's Cold Processed method might inherently produce less waste (since it avoids high-heat steps that can lead to ingredient degradation and batch rejects), though specific data on manufacturing waste (water usage, by-products, etc.) isn't provided. However, their Science page indicates they work closely with their manufacturing facility on sustainability, including “upcycling efforts” related to plastic use.

The refill program is a cornerstone of their waste mitigation strategy: customers can buy shampoo and conditioner refills in lightweight pouches that use 60% less plastic than a new bottle, thereby keeping unnecessary bottles out of circulation.

Act + Acre doesn't explicitly highlight any ingredient as upcycled. However, using by-products like fulvic acid (from decomposed plant matter) or plant proteins (which could be sourced from food crop side-streams) hints at some upcycling, even if not marketed as such. The basil root culture used in the Scalp Detox is grown in a lab, meaning no agricultural waste or land use at all for that ingredient (a novel way to avoid waste and overharvesting of natural resources).

Business Model

Act + Acre launched with a very streamlined product line, and has grown its range gradually and deliberately. The brand explicitly held off on introducing new products until they could do so sustainably. For example, consumers had been asking for a hair mask and leave-in conditioner, but the company stated, “We can't bring you the hair mask or leave-in you've been asking for without creating a better environmental solution first.” Only after establishing their refill system did they launch those new items.

Act + Acre often educates customers on how to use their products optimally instead of simply urging them to use more product. They actively promote mindful consumption, encouraging customers to buy refills instead of new bottles, use the right amount of product, and stick to a curated regimen.