Japanese retail giant Fast Retailing is to eliminate the use of unnecessary plastic throughout its supply chain and reduce up to 85% of the amount of single-use plastic packaging at group stores by the end of 2020.
The move announced today (3 July) is part of the company’s bid to eliminate all forms of waste and establish a business with minimal impact on the environment.
In a statement, Fast Retailing said its overarching group policy is to eliminate the use of unnecessary plastic throughout the supply chain and, where plastic is necessary, switch to eco-friendly substitutes. It also set out three key initiatives detailing how it will reduce up to 85% – or around 7,800 tonnes annually – of single-use plastic packaging at its group stores by the end of next year.
#1 Eliminate plastic shopping bags and switch to eco-friendly paper bags
- From 1 September 2019, stores in 12 markets worldwide including Japan, where plastic shopping bags are currently in use, will begin switching to eco-friendly paper bags made of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper or recycled paper.
- Stores in markets where paper shopping bags are currently in use, including Uniqlo stores in Europe, as well as group brands Theory, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse tam.tam, and PLST, will also begin switching to eco-friendly paper shopping bags from September 2019.
#2 Sell original eco-friendly reusable bags and charge for shopping bags in certain markets, to promote use of reusable bags
- With the aim of reducing shopping bags, and to make effective use of resources including paper, all Uniqlo and GU stores in Japan and abroad, as well as Comptoir des Cotonniers and Princesse tam.tam stores worldwide, will begin selling branded eco-friendly reusable bags from September 2019.
- To promote the use of reusable bags, all Uniqlo and GU stores in Japan will begin charging for shopping bags at a price of JPY10 (US$0.09) (plus tax) per bag from 14 January 2020.
- Uniqlo and GU in 16 markets across North America, Europe and Asia regions will charge for shopping bags after September 2019.
#3 Launch specific verification tests to eliminate plastic in product packaging and switch to substitute materials
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By GlobalData- Eliminate the use of plastic in the packaging of certain items such as Uniqlo room shoes, from the 2019 autumn/winter season.
- Begin verification testing aimed at switching from plastic packaging for Uniqlo and GU products, such as HeatTech, AIRism, and other innerwear to alternative materials, from summer 2019.
“Going forward, Fast Retailing will continue to monitor the use of single-use plastic throughout its supply chain with the aim to eliminate all unnecessary plastic from its business,” the company says.
Last week, Fast Retailing revealed it is to invest US$1.6m in a new programme for female workers in garment factories in Asia as part of a partnership with UN Women.
