Biodiversity Conservation
Policy and Approach
We are committed to protecting biodiversity in the procurement of raw materials for our products and in the natural environment around our facilities. In terms of materials procurement for our Consumer Business, in August 2021, we joined the non-profit organization RSPO*1, which promotes the production and usage of palm oil with due consideration given to the environment and human rights, and Yamanashi Plant began using RSPO-certified palm oil. Going forward, we will increase the percentage of certified palm oil we use. Regarding paper packaging used for products, we are expanding the use of recycled paper and materials sourced from FSC®*2-certified forests, which contribute to the protection of the Earth’s forests. In addition, we are making efforts to conserve biodiversity, such as promoting environmental conservation within the premises of each site and participating in nature conservation activities in collaboration with the local community across all our business sites.
Mid- to Long-Term Environmental Targets and Results
＊ Scope of data:Data from group-owned global plants is integrated. Electricity, water and CO₂ are counted for the US Oral care plant, and electricity and CO₂ are counted for Tsubamex
Consumer Business ＝ Oral care products, cosmetics, health foods, and other consumer product-related businesses
Industrial Business = Adhesives and sealants for automobiles, construction and electronics, and metal parts for motorcycles and automobiles
＊ Evaluation criteria: ◎ = Exceeds targets, ○ = Mostly on target, △ = Missed target but making progress, × = Worse than before
＊1 Includes European procurement for consumer business
＊4 Primary packaging materials ( Excluding materials procured by subcontractors for Japanese consumer goods and industrial goods)
＊5 FSC ® （Forest Stewardship Council ®）
＊6 RSPO（Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil） For more on our RSPO Membership Progress, see https://rspo.org/members/12085
＊7 In-house procurement, mass-balance products in FY2021
Major Initiatives
Use of FSC®-certified paper for product packaging and in-store sales promotions (Japan)
For product packaging, we are promoting the use of FSC®-certified paper which contributes to forest conservation. For product display units used in stores, we are also using FSC®-certified paper instead of plastic.
Active use of FSC®-certified paper for product packaging (Japan)
When launching new products or changing product specifications, we adopt FSC®-certified paper for packaging materials, which contributes to forest conservation.
Started procurement and blending of certified palm oil by joining RSPO (Japan)
The Yamanashi Factory, one of the main manufacturing facilities in Japan, has begun using RSPO-certified palm oil-derived concentrated glycerin in mouthwash and liquid toothpaste, which is environmentally-friendly and abides by human rights.
Employees participate in activities to promote tap water use (Europe)
At the Sunstar Group Headquarters in Etoy, Switzerland, we support the activities of WfW, a non-profit organization for sustainable water use, and encourage employees to drink tap water. We have also contirbuted to WfW’s endeavors to ensure safe access to drinking water and sanitary facilities for all in Mozambique and Zambia.
Community cleanup activities by employees (Europe, Japan)
At our Global Headquarters in Switzerland, employees participate in cleanup events around Lake Geneva. In Japan, employees at each of our plants and offices participate in community cleanup events and regularly clean up around plants in an effort to preserve the local environment.
Local ecosystem conservation activities by employees (Europe)
From the perspective of biodiversity conservation, employees at our German plant, which manufactures toothbrushes and interdental brushes, have built walking trails on the plant premises using natural materials, installed benches made of solid natural wood, and kept honeybees, thereby playing a part in conserving the local ecosystem.
Employee tree planting (Asia)
Our Indonesian factory workers took part in mangrove tree planting activities led by an environmental organization. Meanwhile, our Thai factory workers participated in an initiative to plant trees on the factory grounds.
Sunstar Americas headquarters in the U.S. site awarded with the 2019 Landscape Award (Americas)
Our office, factory and development center in Schaumburg, on the outskirts of Chicago, received the Best Natural Landscape Award from the municipal environmental committee. The facility was rated highly for its use of native plants, which reduced the need for artificial watering systems, its high-level storm water filtration, and its contribution to the preservation of biodiversity in the region.
