Page 20 - Retail Pharmacy Assistants September 2020

18 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW FROM PAGE 17
and we have a responsibility and
the opportunity to demonstrate that leadership through our commitment to transforming our value chain.
Tell us about the progress Garnier has made when it comes to sustainability. Garnier is committed to positively impacting the planet. Last year alone we saved 3750 tonnes of virgin plastic globally by ‘lightweighting’ our plastic packaging and increasing our use of recycled plastic. We’ve enhanced our product formulas to increase levels
of biodegradability, and in 2019 we reduced our water consumption by
45 per cent and our CO2 emissions
by 72 per cent at our industrial sites compared with 2005. This coupled with our solidarity program and the partnerships we’ve formed with NGOs, such as Ocean Conservancy and Plastics For Change, sets us on a great footing for a more sustainable future.
The Garnier website states that Garnier is “striving for 100 per cent of our renewable ingredients to be sourced sustainably by 2022”. Tell us more about this.
A huge milestone for us was the establishment of a sustainable sourcing policy for plant-based raw ingredients. Designed with the expertise services of the NGO, Rainforest Alliance, the policy set in place key principles that we follow as a business to this day. We guarantee the traceability of raw materials and we implement sustainable sourcing actions once we’ve assessed the social and environmental stakes that are linked to their production.
In our journey to source more renewable ingredients, we’re proud to have developed 98 per cent natural origin formulas, in our Fructis Hair Food range for example, and an eco-certified organic skin care range, Garnier Organics.
Tell us about Garnier’s commitment to “protecting biodiversity and
the planet”.
Plastic in our oceans is a major issue and we need to work together to drive positive change. Through Garnier’s global partnership with Ocean Conservancy, our employees all over the world, including Australia, collected 6.8 tonnes of waste to help fight ocean
plastic in 2019. In addition to our team taking real action through coastal and waterway clean-up initiatives, we will also be using our voice to rally consumers to collect plastic from the world’s beaches. And it doesn’t stop at plastic recovery. Garnier has partnered globally with Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas Alliance, uniting members of the private sector, scientists and conservationists to address the ultimate causes of the ocean plastic crisis.
Our world’s oceans aren’t our only focus. In our efforts to preserve biodiversity, Garnier globally has committed to a ‘Respectful Bee Welfare’ program and pays a premium to
ensure better revenue for beekeepers. All ingredients that are derived from
bees (honey and beeswax) are sourced sustainably through a network of responsible beekeepers whose operating methods respect bee welfare.
As mentioned earlier, we’ve also been successful at reducing our water consumption to date, and we’re developing technology to take this further through the innovation of our ‘waterloop’ factories.
Additionally, on our journey to preserving the health of our planet, our innovation teams have also focused on developing the biodegradability of our product formulas, improving the ability of our products to break down naturally in the environment.
According to the progress report, Garnier is also committed to “communicating transparently and helping consumers understand the social and environmental impacts of its products”. How will this be achieved? Why is transparency so important for
a company?
Transparency and consumer education are and will be key to driving change. Our first step to complete transparency was to make our Sustainability Report public, offering absolute transparency
on our Green Beauty commitments, being honest about where the brand
has stood in the past, where it stands today and detailing how we will reach our sustainability targets by 2025.
Without a doubt, consumer expectation has shifted over the years. Consumers want to see real action taken, and an important first step is taking them on the journey with us. Transparency isn’t just important for the consumer, but has also helped us to onboard our employees,
who are now even more engaged and committed to our mission to be leaders in sustainable change.
Talk us through your packaging. The website states that “by 2025 Garnier aims for all packaging to be made from 100 per cent recycled plastics” and that Garnier is “launching the first generation of tubes integrating cardboard” in its packaging.
In order to promote a circular
economy, we’ve made a commitment that will ultimately save more than 37,000 tonnes of virgin plastic per year. It’s an ambitious goal, but through creative development and clever design we’re on track to move to a circular economy of packaging, which will lead to both better economic and environmental outcomes.
But we haven’t just committed to 100 per cent recycled and 100 per cent reusable or compostable plastics. We’re also developing plastic-free packaging, we’re reducing the weight and size of packaging and we’ve committed to promote reusable or refillable systems.
Where are things at with this project and are you on track to achieve this by 2025? How will you achieve this?
In 2007, we established standards of packaging to respect the health and safety of the consumer, and we’re extending this commitment in respect to the health and safety of the planet.
In 2019 we also reduced the size of
our tissue mask sachet, and this year we’ve been focused on removing the inner liner of our masks, ensuring we don’t compromise the performance of the product, while saving 108 tonnes of plastic globally.
There’s still a lot of innovation needed. Some of the elements within our products don’t currently have sustainable solutions, such as sachets, samples, pumps and gloves (included in hair colour kits), for example. So, our global development teams are working closely with supply partners to develop innovative solutions to allow us to reach out commitments soon.
What is the Solidarity Sourcing program and who does it benefit? What are the aims of the program?
Garnier has worked to support and empower farmers and workers all over the world, to improve revenues and livelihoods. In 2010, Garnier established its Solidarity Sourcing program with the
RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • SEP 2020