Health and beauty care brand advances sustainability efforts 

Watsons Philippines is intensifying its sustainability efforts in 2024, following significant strides made in 2023. Upholding its “look good, do good, feel great” promise, the leading health and beauty retailer enhanced its commitment to eco-friendly practices, reducing waste, and encouraging environmentally conscious choices among customers.

In 2023, Watsons installed 30 solar panels across its stores nationwide, increased its Sustainable Choices product range by 11.2 percent, and transitioned 81 percent of its stores to paper bags, with 100 percent of online deliveries using recycled packaging. The company also partnered with Plastic Bank to remove 50,000 kg of ocean-bound plastic and collaborated with SM Malls for its Trash to Cash Recycling Program, collecting 6,000 kg of waste. These efforts contributed to a 20 percent recovery of their plastic footprint, aligning with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law.

Community-focused initiatives included the Alagang Pangkalusugan Medical Missions, which provided free medical services to over 4,000 individuals, and a partnership with Operation Smile that delivered cleft and lip palate surgeries to 127 children.

Danilo Chiong, Managing Director of Watsons Philippines, emphasized the company’s commitment to not only offering quality products but also supporting communities and protecting the environment. 

“We have refocused our action plan and are concentrating on three main goals: our planet, our people, and our products,” Chiong said.

Looking ahead, Watsons plans to enhance its sustainability practices by prioritizing eco-friendly products and ethical sourcing. The retailer recently launched its first “Greener Store” in San Pedro, Laguna, featuring solar panels, an expanded Sustainable Choices section, and a refilling station for the Naturals by Watsons line.

Watsons will also continue its medical missions and aims to provide 125 children with cleft and lip palate surgeries this year through its ongoing partnership with Operation Smile.

For more information on Watsons’ sustainability achievements, refer to the Watsons Sustainability Report 2023. Customers can shop at over 1,000 Watsons stores nationwide or via the Watsons App.