Kao launches its first Upcycling project "TurnTrash2Trendy"
transforming plastic waste into Kao's eco-friendly premium products

Kao has been conducting its business based on Kao ESG Strategy or "Kirei Lifestyle Plan", the environment or "Making the world healthier and cleaner" is one of the key guidelines in sustainable development through a Zero Waste activity to achieve carbon zero by 2040. The Post-Industrial Recycled (PIR) plastic waste will be transformed into premium items for everyday use, which provides sustainability to customers for maximum benefit. Moreover, this project helps eliminate greenhouse gases emissions by reducing the use of new plastic (Virgin Plastic).

For the Upcycling Project #TurnTrash2Trendy, Kao has recycled plastic waste from the manufacturing process such as plastic scraps from Laurier sanitary napkins (Trim) totaling 28,669kg and packaging waste from rebranding of Attack detergent brand, which used to be demolished in the past, totaling 8,399kg. The total 37,068kg of waste got through the cleaning process and remelted into beads and then were molded into a total of 202,020 eco-friendly premium products such as baskets, basin, shopping baskets, multi-purpose plastic boxes, and stools with storage. These are distributed as household utensils to the general housewives. Each premium item is made from different kinds of packaging waste, for instance:

This is another challenge for Kao as the premium products must be tested to ensure that they can be utilized and meets customer expectation, satisfaction and confidence in the quality of the eco-friendly premium products even though it made from recycled plastic but the quality is equal to those made from Virgin Material. Despite there are some unavoidable markings on the product which are artifacts of the recycling process, the quality of the products is undiminished, compared to the new plastic. They are also highly durable and therefore sustainable. As the company received encouraging results from a trial project in the last year, the production will be ramp up for this year.

In the future, Kao plans to create new programs to reinforce its commitment as a leader in sustainable consumer products in the market and move towards its target of net zero greenhouse emissions by 2040. In solving the problem of waste generated by the manufacturing process, we believe that the Upcycling Project #TurnTrash2Trendy will be the starting point for raising environmental awareness. Kao will continue to focus on improving the quality of life for people and society towards sustainability in the future. For those who are interested in eco-friendly premium products, please be updated on promotions and news through various leading retail channels.