Shiseido maps out latest environmental initiative by focusing on packaging materials

The plan outlines CO2 reduction targets for the company’s production sites worldwide, as well as specifying packaging initiatives that include plant-based containers for a range of products as well as bagasse paper, which is naturally derived from the fibrous matters that remains after sugarcane is produced.

By increasing the use of both these packaging materials for the company’s consumer product ranges, the aim is to ensure that the lifecycle of the products is more determinable - given the fact that both of these packaging materials are biodegradable- while also raising the possibility to recycle.

Shampoo and body care products first to specify plant-based packaging​

The company says it will kick off its focus on packaging by specifying shampoo and body care containers made from sugarcane-based polyethylene*4 material that will be labeled with the ‘Shiseido Earth Care Project’ logo.

The company established a joint development agreement with Brazil company Braskem and Japan company Toyota Tsusho to produce sugarcane-based polyethylene for cosmetic containers back in 2008.

Meanwhile, the initiative to specify biogasse paper will be implemented after 2012 for both new and renewal products that use paper as part of the packaging, while refillable packaging will be used for all Foundation *5, face powders, jumbo-sized shampoo and conditioners, and approximately 70 per cent of all skin care products, by 2020.

The company says it is targeting reductions in CO2 emissions worldwide as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative. The company says that in view of this targets have been re-established for its production sites and non-production sites, both in Japan and worldwide.

Targeting CO2 reductions for production sites worldwide​

The initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions will build on targets that have already been established for both domestic and non-domestic production sites up until the fiscal year 2010.

For its domestic production sites, the company says it achieved a targeted reduction of 15 per cent by 2010 for its CO2 emission, compared to 1990 emission levels, while for overseas production sites, CO2 emissions were reduced by 20 per cent thanks to the introduction of solar panels between 2007 and 2010.

Shiseido is also planning to up its recycling and environmental efforts by starting to plant camellia trees on the Goto Islands, in the Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. The company says that this initiative will ultimately enable it to harvest cameilia oil, which it uses as an ingredient in a number of products.