‘People get lazy easily’: Companies must lead the fight against climate change – O’right CEO

In the last few months, COVID-19-related lockdowns and travel restrictions have led to lower greenhouse gas emissions and better air quality, shining a light on the weight of the impact humanity has on the planet.

However, founder and CEO of O’right Steven Ko told CosmeticsDesign-Asia​ that he does not expect the pandemic to change the consumers’ mindset about issues like climate change.

“​Will this pandemic change our lifestyle choices? I don’t think so. People get lazy easily. True, there may be a small group of people who think change is necessary, but there is still a majority of people who are just too lazy to make a change.”​

As such, he believes companies like O’Right have to step up and lead the battle against environmental issues.

“The key to change does not lie just on the government, but also on companies. We want to become a company, a brand that can inspire change and create opportunities and competitive advantage.”​

Founded in 2002, O’right claims to be the ‘world’s greenest beauty brand’.

In 2011, the privately held firm introduced its first zero-carbon shampoo and went on to developed 100% renewable plastic shampoo bottles and pumps.

The company has received multiple awards globally for its efforts to further its sustainable beauty efforts. Most recently, it has received a Sustainable Beauty Award and a Green World Award.

Today it offers a range of green personal care products manufactured from its green factory powered by solar panels and wind turbines to generate clean, renewable energy.

Ko said: “We will continue to communicate our core values, the ongoing risks and catastrophic impacts of climate change. People will begin to realise that protecting the environment has everything to do with them. They will start to change, learn and realise that staying healthy and making earth healthy is incredibly important.”​

Go for Zero​

O’right had previously announced that 2020 would be its zero-carbon year and has promised to achieve carbon neutrality for fifty more of its products and be validated carbon neutral in business operations.

In 2019, the firm achieved organizational carbon neutrality and product carbon neutrality for 27 of its products.

As of this year, the firm has already reduced almost two million kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions through its green products, green building, green logistics and green actions.

According to the firm, this is equivalent to planting 173,914 trees.

“Following our win at the Sustainable Beauty Awards and defining moment of raising our voice at COP25 in front of world leaders, this is the year we set out on our journey towards a zero-carbon world,” ​said Ko.

"We will also continue to strive for organizational carbon neutrality to fully achieve zero carbon. Additionally, in 2018 we made a commitment to use 100% renewable energy by 2025 by joining RE100, and we will continue to work towards that goal."​

In January this year, the company launched O’right Toothpaste N°Zero in alignment with its zero-carbon plans.

According to the firm, the new toothpaste contains three billion chlorella cells and a blend of botanical ingredients that can be fully dissolved in water.

“​O’right Toothpaste ​N°Zero​, is the first in Taiwan to be certified 100% biobased by USDA and the beginning of our transition from green hair and skin care to green lifestyle solutions,” ​said Ko.

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, O’Right has developed a natural hand sanitiser that was in line with its core values.

“At O’right, we have always been dedicated to creating green beauty products inspired by nature and continue to improve and innovate towards our vision of a zero-carbon future. We have joined the effort to fight the Covid-19 pandemic by developing hand sanitising products,”​ said Ko.

The hand sanitiser is made with 75% food-grade alcohol, to ensure the formula was gentle on skin and on the environment to cater to the eco-conscious consumer.

“Green consumerism is on the rise. Consumers nowadays are not only expecting products that are going to deliver. Green products that limit people and the earth’s exposure to toxins and chemicals have become a magnet, pulling them closer towards living healthily and sustainably.”​