Japanese cosmetics and personal care firm Shiseido has announced CO2 reduction plan for the company's global production sites, as part of plans to reduce the carbon footprint of its products throughout their life cycle.
The plan also outlines specifying packaging initiatives that include plant-based containers for a range of products as well as bagasse paper. By increasing the use of these materials for the product ranges, the company aims to ensure that the lifecycle of the products is more determinable - given the fact that the materials are biodegradable.
Shiseido said 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 labelled with the 'Shiseido Earth Care Project' logo.
In 2008, the company established a joint development agreement with Brazil firm Braskem and Japan company Toyota Tsusho to produce sugarcane-based polyethylene for cosmetic containers.
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 about 70% of all skin care products, by 2020.