This photo, provided by South Korean cosmetics giant AmorePacific Corp., shows its new shampoo product packaged in reusable clear containers.
SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s cosmetics industry is stepping up efforts to promote the circular economy, including the reduction of plastic packaging and the recycling of resources.
The Korea Cosmetic Association, L’Oreal Korea, AmorePacific Corp., Aekyung Industrial Co. and LG Household & Health Care Ltd. jointly declared the ‘2030 cosmetics plastic initiative’ on Wednesday.
Under this initiative, the signatories agreed on four major goals to be achieved by 2030.
First, they decided to remove hard-to-recycle products by 100 percent. Second, they will reduce the use of petrochemical-based plastics by 30 percent.
Third, they will invigorate the use of refills. Fourth, they will collect containers that have been sold.
To remove hard-to-recycle products, cosmetics companies will develop packaging that makes use of single materials, or simplify the materials into transparent or white ones.
They will also cut the use of petrochemical-based plastics by increasing the proportion of renewable or bio materials and reducing the weight of containers.
To promote refill culture, the companies will increase the number of refill products, while introducing refill-only stores. They will also strive to collect containers sold through independent or joint collection campaigns.
The cosmetics industry plans to set up a consultative body in collaboration with civil groups, government and related organizations.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
