In the Philippines, where 2.7 million tons of plastic waste are generated each year, Garnier is investing in new ways to package their products.
Earlier this month the skincare brand of French cosmetics company L’Oréal announced two key partnerships to inspire Filipino consumers to start their “one green step” towards sustainability.
The first is with e-commerce platform Lazada, where consumers will now be able to receive all their Garnier orders in plastic-free packaging. The second deal is with non-profit CORA, or Communities Organized for Resource Allocation. For every purchase of a Garnier kit, the brand will donate a seedling to the mangrove ecosystem protecting Baybay, Leyte.
“Sustainability is at the core of Garnier as a Green Beauty brand and we’re thankful to have partners that share the same values,” said Isabel Falco, marketing director of Garnier and L’Oréal Paris. “Through their reach and expertise, we will be able to inspire Filipinos to make conscious choices [with their purchases].”
Garnier Philippines is the first beauty brand in the country to roll out the Green Parcel program for e-commerce in October 2020, according to Falco. Since its introduction, Garnier has saved over 1,240 kg of plastic.
Instead of the usual plastic tape, Garnier uses water-infused kraft paper tape to secure and protect their products. In place of bubble wrap, it uses recycled paper wrap from FSC-certified suppliers that can be re-used at least six times and disintegrates in water within 30 seconds. All items are also packed in a paper box that is RoHS-certified and does not contain any hazardous toxic chemicals.
As for packaging, Garnier has saved 9,000 tons of virgin plastic in 2020, equivalent to 21 percent of the brand’s annual plastic consumption. “[By 2025], 100 percent of our plastic packaging will be reusable, recyclable, or compostable,” the executive added.
In partnership with CORA, Garnier committed to supporting the mangrove plantation project called “WoMangrove Warriors” by donating a mangrove seedling to forests in Leyte.
Under the program, CORA and Garnier aim to provide measurable action for carbon storage and sequestration to help mitigate climate change, improve opportunities for livelihood and income for women involved in mangrove rehabilitation programs and biodiversity-friendly enterprises, and strengthen local policies to support women and children.
“Reducing our impact is not enough,” Falco said. “We want to empower our business ecosystem and unite with our suppliers to also help them transition to a more sustainable world. We want to make a positive contribution to society by providing financial support to urgent social and environmental causes.”