AS Watson pledges 21% cut in virgin plastic for own-brand packaging by 2030
These actions illustrate how the company is operationalizing its ambitions into practical packaging overhauls.
CHINA – AS Watson, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, has elevated its sustainability efforts by committing to a 21% reduction in virgin plastic used in its own-brand packaging by 2030, with 2022 serving as the baseline year.
This refreshed target, now listed on the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Global Commitment 2030 platform, underscores the company’s role in fostering a circular economy and combating plastic pollution worldwide.
The pledge targets four critical areas of own-brand packaging where AS Watson holds direct influence: primary product packaging, in-store carrier bags, online delivery parcels, and single-use plastics within warehouses.
To meet this goal, the retailer plans to intensify initiatives such as reducing excess packaging, increasing the use of recycled plastic, advancing designs that are easier to recycle or reuse, and scaling up refill and reuse programs across its international network.
Sebastien Pivet, AS Watson’s Chief Sustainability Officer and QA Director, highlighted the urgency of addressing plastic waste, noting, “Reducing plastic waste is one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time, and retailers have a responsibility to lead this transition.”
“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.”
He added, “By expanding refill and reuse systems and increasing recycled content, we’re making significant progress towards reducing plastic waste from our operations.”
Pivet also tied this to the firm’s 185th anniversary, affirming that sustainability drives all strategic choices to innovate responsibly with customers and communities.
AS Watson is already implementing changes, such as Watsons China eliminating plastic windows from collagen hand cream gift sets, saving 2.36 tons of plastic, and swapping plastic trays for FSC-certified paper alternatives in hand and body care packs, which conserved another 5.26 tons.
In Europe, Superdrug revamped its Naturally Radiant line by replacing laminated mirror board, making cartons fully recyclable and FSC-certified, and ensuring each product contains at least 30% recycled plastic.
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