〔The Environment〕For the Global EnvironmentEfforts related to products
KOSÉ strives to create cosmetic products that are “good not only to users but also to the global environment.” In addition to setting strict standards in the selection of raw materials and ingredients, careful research and development are also undertaken to make products that are easy to segregate and dispose after use and produce less amount of waste.
Going forward, we will continue to actively develop environmentally friendly products that adapt to climate change, while giving due consideration to customer needs and market needs.
Activities to Improve Containers and Packaging
The container and packaging of a cosmetic product serve an important role in preserving its contents and making it easy to use. They also provide various information about the product including the product philosophy. However, cosmetic products are still consumer products, and once they have served their purpose, their containers and packaging become waste that need to be disposed of. KOSÉ is in continuous development of containers and packaging that consider environmental impacts at disposal.
Reducing the Use of Resin in Containers & Packages
Reduction of the amount of resin
used in the package
In 2013, we succeeded in greatly reducing the amount of resin that we use when we started to utilize film packaging in one of our best-selling products, the Sekkisei Sun Protect Essence Gel, and we were able to further reduce (see the bar chart on the right) by updating the design. This packaging is used in a range of other products including Fasio, our makeup brand, and SportsBeauty, our sunscreen brand.
In addition, we are actively using refills and refillable containers to reduce our environmental impact.
(1) Examples of makeup products using film packaging
(2) Examples of a new material used for the buffer tray
(3) Examples of specifications for changing pumps and inner containers
(4) Examples of using a pouch container for refilling
Easy to refill
that can be easily opened
We have developed a container that has a large mouth in which the inner plug can be easily opened so that non-pump type containers can be easily refilled.
Easy-to-disassemble containers made of different materials
Cosmetics containers made from a combination of different materials, such as metal and plastic or glass and plastic, cannot be disposed of as recyclable waste. By coming up with designs that allow each part to be separated easily, our containers are designed to make waste separation easy so that they can be recycled.
Use of plant-derived plastics
We are promoting the use of containers made of sustainable raw materials instead of petroleum and are using plant-derived PE (polyethylene) plastic. First, we started with refillable pouch containers made of vegetable PE for about 12% of the container materials. By gradually adding new ideas and increasing the number of compatible products, in 2013, approximately 90% of the bottle containers of Softymo Speedy Cleansing Foam were made of plant-derived PE. We continue to expand the range of compatible products in the future.
Use of recycled materials
Some of the containers KOSÉ uses for its cosmetic products are manufactured by its Group companies. They have developed their own device to recover the residual plastic that remains after molding so that it can be reused. Recovered plastic is used as a material for caps and for containers of sample products.
KOSÉ also promotes the use of recycled materials for containers of cosmetic products. Resin boxes carrying the PET Bottle Recycling Mark have been used for some of its products, and will be used for more products in the future. About 90% of the bottles for all of the four kinds of Rose of Heaven Shampoo and Conditioner are made from recycled PET, successfully reducing CO2 emissions by 63% compared with other existing products.
Using recycled or certified paper for packaging
We are striving to increase the use of recycled paper in everything from product boxes, manuals, and brochures to cardboard shipping boxes. Currently, almost all brands, such as COSME DECORTE , SEKKISEI, and Predia, are using recycled paper.
For paper packages that do not use recycled paper, we actively use paper (certified paper) obtained from wood cut in certified forests.
Proactive use of paper made from sugar cane residue
Bagasse※ as a raw material to create boxes
Paper made from sugarcane residue
Reduction of Package Inserts
KOSÉ is working on increasing the number of products that do not have package inserts by directly printing descriptions such as how to use the product on the outer part of the product box. This is currently being done in many of our brands and products, and in some products other solutions such as printing inside the box are being implemented.
Activities to Improve Product Contents
The use of plant-based raw materials and environmental impacts after use are also taken into consideration in the development of the contents of our products.
Statement for microplastic beads
Microplastic beads are used as a raw material in rinse-off cleansing products. Microplastic beads are safe for humans, and have been used as a highly-functional raw material; however, in recent years their potential environmental impact has been raised as a concern both in Japan and overseas.
In consideration of the worldwide social concern, KOSÉ Group stopped using microplastic beads for new cleansing products developed since 2014, making the switch to plant derived materials with less negative environmental impact. Also we have completed the replacement of the traditional cleansing products containing microplastic beads with new products. No cleansing product containing microplastic beads has been shipped since January, 2018.
Use of biodegradable raw materials as much as possible
KOSÉ uses biodegradable amino acid raw materials for some of its products, such as facial cleansing products and shampoos. Even if these products are emitted into rivers, these raw materials are easily degraded by naturally occurring microorganisms. They are used for almost all of the KOSÉ brands, including COSME DECORTE, GRANDAINE, Je L’aime, softymo and SALON STYLE.
Response to sustainable palm oil
Palm oil is a vegetable oil that is collected from oil palm produced in Southeast Asia and used for various purposes such as food in the world, and a part of it is also used as a raw material for cosmetics. On the other hand, problems related to the development of plantations, such as the destruction of the rainforest and human rights, have been pointed out. In the cosmetics industry, issues related to palm oil have been raised for some time, KOSÉ recognizes that the palm oil problem is a high-risk human rights issue and an environmental issue as a cosmetics manufacturer.
We joined the RSPO in 2019 and are working to procure sustainable palm oil from FY2020. In the same year, we participated in JaSPON, Japan’s network for sustainable palm oil, and began working with JaSPON members to procure and consume sustainable palm oil.
[Goal] We aim for 100% sustainable use of palm oil for all palm oil-derived raw materials used in products throughout the KOSÉ group.
[Achievements] As of fiscal 2019, the purchase rate of certified palm oil credits through Book & Claim was 35%.
Actual purchasing from January to December 2019. All group companies except Albion and Tarte that account for 68% of the group’s total sales.
RSPO：Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
In November 2019, through participation in the “ Sustainable Palm Training ” hosted by JaSPON held in Malaysia, we visited local environmental NGOs in Malaysia, small farms, depots, oil refineries, refineries, etc. Dialogue with various stakeholders on the current situation and issues / needs at the worksite, and deepened awareness of issues. KOSÉ will continue to engage with stakeholders in the future.
Use of organic raw materials
In the field of agriculture, organic products using environmentally friendly cultivation methods are attracting attention, but KOSÉ is also focusing on using organic ingredients in cosmetics. “AWAKE” and “Salon Style Biolis Botanical” incorporate oil components derived from organically grown organic herbs. AWAKE also proposes clean beauty using natural ingredients as main raw materials, and develops products that meet the needs of various customers.
