A.S. Watson: 2030 Sustainability Plan Aims To Triple Plant-Based Meat & Dairy Offerings At PARKnSHOP Stores

A.S. Watson Group, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, recently announced its social purpose and 2030 sustainability vision, which notably includes an aim to triple plant-based meat options and vegan dairy products at PARKnSHOP, Hong Kong’s largest supermarket chain, as well as to reduce the giant’s GHG emissions by 40% and eliminate all unnecessary packaging by the end of the decade.

Hong Kong-based A.S. Watson Group along with its 13 global retail and manufacturing brands announced the launch of its new Social Purpose along with its 2030 Sustainability Vision.

The vision states that the group will be partnering with PARKnSHOP, Hong Kong’s leading grocery retailer chain with over 345 stores across the city, to introduce more sustainable and healthier choices at the store as well as triple its plant-based meat and vegan dairy offerings in an effort to reduce the Group’s carbon footprint.

Apart from this, the Group has launched a region-wide Earth Day program in April and is also looking to set up green classrooms to raise awareness about climate change and encourage sustainable lifestyles among people.

The Group will also work with Fortress, a leading retailer of electronic products and home appliances in Hong Kong, to launch a green hackathon for university students to learn more about sustainability through the process of creating innovative green plans that can help customers live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Watsons Water, a subsidiary of the Group, was the first beverage manufacturer to use 100% recycled PET bottles and establish Reverse Vending Machines in Hong Kong. Furthering its commitment, the company aims to collect an equivalent of 100% of plastics it produces and replace that with a minimum of 30% of the current packaging that will have a higher recyclable value by 2030 along with launching aluminum refillable bottles.

In a press release seen by Green Queen, Group COO of A.S. Watson Group & CEO of A.S. Watson (Asia & Europe), Malina Ngai, said, “At A.S. Watson, we believe the world is better when people are smiling. Our planet is reaching its limits and millions of people’s lives are impacted by extreme climate and serious pollution. The A.S. Watson 2030 Sustainability Vision is a promise we pledge to our planet and community to make the world a better place to live. People’s mental health has been inevitably stressed by the pandemic and by putting a smile on the face of everyone we touch, we are grateful to have all of our people working together to aim at a higher purpose for the long term.”

Apart from its new refreshed Social Purpose, the Group’s sustainability vision also includes commitments in various categories, for instance, it plans to achieve electricity intensity reduction by 30% against the 2015 baseline by 2030, reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 40%, and on a community level, through its Give a Smile Campaign, plans to provide 10,000 free surgeries to kids with cleft lips and palates by 2030.

Our planet is reaching its limits and millions of people’s lives are impacted by extreme climate and serious pollution. The A.S. Watson 2030 Sustainability Vision is a promise we pledge to our planet and community to make the world a better place to live.

Malina Ngai, Group COO of A.S. Watson Group & CEO of A.S. Watson (Asia & Europe)

Ngai added that as the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, the Group has a strong sense of responsibility to create a better world through its global operations. “Our social purpose ‘to put a smile on our customers’ faces’ is a core value to our business and deeply rooted in our heritage, from giving free medicines to the needy in the early days, to protecting people’s health against COVID19 by producing medical masks and supporting vaccination programs. We serve over 5.9 billion customers every year around the world and we are thankful to have a powerful community to do good together, to help build a better and more sustainable world.” 

Last year, the 180-year-old Group offered financial assistance of HKD$60M (approx. US$7M)to over 1 million underprivileged people. It also transformed its Hong Kong manufacturing facility to produce masks and help the NHS COVID-19 vaccination program in the U.K. by offering vaccinations in Superdrug pharmacies.

Lead photo courtesy of A.S. Watson.