Spotlight: UpCircle
Meet UpCircle… circular skincare leader and the “#SeeingGreen Solutionist of the Day” for May 8.
UpCircle is a UK-based skincare brand founded in 2016 to pioneer the use of upcycled leftover natural ingredients in the beauty industry. Founded by siblings Anna and Will Brightman, the company transforms food waste — like used coffee grounds, chai tea spices, oat husks and fruit byproducts — into high-performance skincare products. Their line includes popular items like coffee scrubs, face serums, balms and cleansers, all designed to be as effective as they are sustainable.
Sustainability is woven into every part of UpCircle’s business model. At its core is a mission to “elevate leftover natural ingredients to their highest potential,” which has so far led to the upcycling of hundreds of tons of food waste – 450 tons of brewed coffee alone. Known as the pioneers of by-product beauty, the brand now upcycles more than 50 leftover ingredients. The company’s sustainability commitment extends across its packaging and beyond. 99% of UpCircle’s packaging is plastic-free, and the company overall is a plastic-negative certified brand. They also offer a packaging return program and a Refills Collection with a 20% discount incentive. Even their marketing materials are made from recycled coffee cups.
As a certified B Corp, UpCircle is transparent about its environmental impact, pushing industry standards forward on plastic negativity, carbon footprint reduction and ethical sourcing. Their bold goal is to prove that sustainability doesn’t have to be a compromise—it can be a source of innovation, quality and brand identity.
UpCircle has earned a devoted following for combining circular economy principles with natural, cruelty-free formulations, and has scaled significantly since its 2016 launch, now selling internationally and securing major retail partnerships across Europe and beyond.
About the "#SeeingGreen Solutionist of the Day"
This series celebrates and highlights the brands and innovators dedicated to creating a greener, more sustainable world. Each day, the series shines a spotlight on a trailblazer making significant strides in promoting eco-friendly living through innovative products, solutions and practices.