The Kao Group announced it has started to use corrugated cartons that have been accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) [1]. The Japanese cosmetics and chemicals giant Kao thus becomes the first company in Japan to opt for this sustainable material at a large scale. Kao began procurement of FSC-certified corrugated cartons in March 2016, and by the end of 2016, approximately 50 percent of corrugated cartons used by Kao will be FSC-certified.
“Since announcing the Kao Environment Statement in 2009, the Kao Group has proactively put the environment at the centre of its business activities and management decisions. As part of its activities, Kao established the Sustainable Paper and Pulp Procurement Guidelines. In the guidelines, in consideration of biodiversity conservation, Kao commits to zero deforestation for its paper and pulp procurement,” explains the company.
Within this program, Kao will promote several initiatives aiming to achieve the following objectives by 2020:
1. Kao will purchase only recycled paper or sustainably sourced paper and pulp for use in its consumer products, packaging and office paper.
2. When Kao uses virgin pulp, Kao commits to zero deforestation at the source of wood fibre for raw materials.
3. Kao will purchase only pulp for raw materials that is traceable to the source.
