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Kao Received the EcoPro 2019 Executive Committee Chairman's Award at the 2nd EcoPro Awards
Kao Corporation recently received the EcoPro 2019 Executive Committee Chairman's Award at the 2nd EcoPro Awards sponsored by the Japan Environmental Management Association for Industry.
Ryoichi Yamamoto, EcoPro 2019 Executive Committee Chairman (right) and Rena Takamura, ESG Division, Kao Corporation (left) at the award ceremony
The EcoPro Awards are bestowed in recognition of products, services, technologies, solution business models and other projects, specifically those that incorporate outstanding eco-friendly features, and that take into account shifts in socioeconomic conditions, including economic globalization, enactment of the Paris Agreement, and the establishment of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), while being highly regarded by businesses, consumers, investors and market players in the Japanese market. There were 50 projects submitted for consideration at this year's second annual awards, with Kao's RecyCreation*1 initiative receiving the EcoPro 2019 Executive Committee Chairman's Award, an award of excellence.
Kao Corporation is offering new systems and fun and creative experiences for consumers through RecyCreation to create circularity in society. One specific project is working with local communities and partner companies to collect used detergent, shampoo, and other refill packs, and then processing them into recycled resin, an activity Kao is promoting at five locations*2 nationwide.
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* 1 A combination of the words recycle and creation, RecyCreation upcycles items through fun experiences to create new value, rather than recycling materials for the purpose of reproducing the same types of materials, with the goal of changing the habit of "use and throw away.
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* 2 Kamikatsu-cho, Tokushima Prefecture (since January 2016); Onagawa-cho, Miyagi Prefecture (since April 2017); Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture (since October 2017); Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture (since November 2017); and Kitami City, Hokkaido (since October 2018)
Kao will continue to create new possibilities for RecyCreation, extending the circle of co-creation while building trust and support with various communities and stakeholders.
Kao's RecyCreation
Kao Corporation released the "Kao Environmental Statement" in 2009, in which the company states its commitment to reduce its environmental impact at every level of business activities, to promote environmental conservation, and to build a sustainable society. In reducing the environmental footprint caused by product packaging, Kao takes the "4R approach," with "reduce" as its base principle and adding "replace," with the objective of switching raw materials to more sustainable choices, to "reuse" and "recycle."
Using the new approach of RecyCreation since 2015, Kao has undertaken research to establish a new resource circulation system for packaging and, together with local communities and partner companies, has started projects to validate its value which are now underway in five locations nationwide. In 2018, Kao established "Our Philosophy and Action on Plastic Packaging," which presents its commitment to efforts like this to reduce plastic resource use. In April 2019, Kao also announced its ESG strategy, called the Kirei Lifestyle Plan.
How refill packs are recycled into blocks
About Kao
Kao creates high-value-added products that enrich the lives of consumers around the world. Through its portfolio of over 20 leading brands such as Attack, Bioré, Goldwell, Jergens, John Frieda, Kanebo, Laurier, Merries and Molton Brown, Kao is part of the everyday lives of people in Asia, Oceania, North America and Europe. Combined with its chemical division, which contributes to a wide range of industries, Kao generates about 1,500 billion yen in annual sales. Kao employs about 33,000 people worldwide and has 130 years of history in innovation. Please visit the Kao Group website for updated information.
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