In 2023, Watsons Philippines, true to their “look good, do good, feel great” brand promise, made great strides toward sustainability to minimize waste and empower customers to make eco-conscious choices, contributing to a healthier planet. The leading health and beauty retailer tapped into more renewable energy sources with 30 solar panels installed across stores nationwide, and ended the year with an increase in the Sustainable Choices product offerings of 11.2%. Watsons has also implemented a full transition from plastic to paper bags in 81% of all stores nationwide and 100% transition to recycled packaging for online deliveries.
Aside from store initiatives, Watsons’ partnerships with Plastic Bank helped save 50,000kg of ocean-bound plastic from polluting waters and the Trash to Cash Recycling Program in partnership with SM Malls, collected 6,000kg of waste. As Watsons continue their efforts, a total of 20% of their plastic footprint has been recovered to comply with the Extended Producer Responsibility or EPR law, which refers to the environmental policy approach and practice that requires producers to be environmentally responsible throughout the life cycle of a product, especially its post-consumer or end-of-life stage.
Further, community-centric initiatives like the Alagang Pangkalusugan Medical Missions have provided free medical services to more than 4,000 beneficiaries nationwide in the past year, while Watsons’ partnership with Operation Smile has helped provide a total of 127 children with free cleft and lip palette surgeries.
“For us, doing good means more than just providing quality products and access to health services. It’s also about upholding our commitment to support our community and protect our planet. We have refocused our action plan in 2023 and moving forward, concentrating on three main goals for the planet, our people and the products we provide for our customers,” said Danilo Chiong, Watsons Philippines Managing Director.
For 2024, Watsons will continuously enhance and improve its sustainability practices by prioritizing eco-friendly products, ethical sources, and community engagement. For 2024, Watsons Philippines aims to top their 2023 achievements with even more sustainability aimed initiatives, paving a better path toward a sustainable future.
Last June, the retailer opened its first “Greener Store” in San Pedro, Laguna. The store, which runs on solar panels, has a bigger-than-usual Sustainable Choices area and also houses Watsons’ first refilling Station for its Naturals by Watsons line outside of Metro Manila.
Watsons is also set to roll out more Alagang Pangkalusugan medical missions to different areas of the country, integrate more stores and distribution centers with solar panels and provide even more sustainable options for their customers.
In line with continuing community-centric initiatives, the retailer’s partnership with Operation Smile continues as they set the goal to provide 125 children with free cleft and lip palette surgeries for this year.
As the retailer continues to pave the way for more sustainable milestones, learn even more about what they have achieved in the past year with the Watsons Sustainability Report 2023.
Shop your health and beauty favorites at over 1,000 Watsons stores nationwide or download the Watsons App for online shopping.
For more information about the Watsons Greener Store and its sustainability initiatives, follow @watsonsph on Instagram, like @WatsonsPH on Facebook, and follow @watsonsphilippines on TikTok.
