Health and beauty retail giant AS Watson has made a fresh pledge to reduce its use of virgin plastic in its own-brand packaging by 21% by 2030.
The Perfume Shop and Superdrug owner said the target includes its own product packaging, in-store carrier bags, online business parcels, as well as single-use plastics in warehouses.
AS Watson has made the pledge under the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Global Commitment 2030, a company-agnostic programme that encourages companies worldwide to commit to advancing a circular economy.
The retail company will step up its efforts to eliminate unnecessary packaging, increase the use of recycled plastic content, promote packaging that is more recyclable or reusable, and expand refill and reuse systems across its global operations.
“Reducing plastic waste is one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time, and retailers have a responsibility to lead this transition,” said Sebastien Pivet, Chief Sustainability Officer and QA Director at AS Watson.
“By setting an ambitious 21% reduction target for virgin plastic in our own-brand packaging by 2030, we are turning our 185‑year legacy of care into clear, measurable actions that cut plastic at source across all our markets.
“By expanding refill and reuse systems and increasing recycled content, we are making significant progress towards reducing plastic waste from our operations.”
AS Watson has already removed plastic windows from its collagen hand cream gift packs in Asia in a move that saved 2.36 tonnes of plastic.
Switching plastic trays for FSC-certified paper trays in its collagen hand and body care packs saved a further 5.26 tonnes of plastic, the company said.
Meanwhile, Superdrug has redesigned the packaging for its Naturally Radiant range, removing laminated mirror board to make it fully recyclable and FSC certified, reducing each sku’s plastic content by 30%.