Sustainable packaging

Sustainable packaging is a priority for us at Himalaya. We are dedicated to driving initiatives that help bring about changes to reduce our packaging footprint. Aligned to this vision, we are adopting eco-friendly formats and structures, enabled by strong material innovation. The entire product development process attempts to lessen our carbon and environmental footprint.

ELIMINATION OF PVC FROM SUPPLY CHAIN

We are working towards using eco-friendly, recyclable material for packaging. We have eliminated the use of PVC and moved to PET for 50% of our product range. By the end of 2022, we aim to eliminate PVC completely and replace it with eco-friendly material for our portfolio, where it is currently used.

SHIFT TO FSC® (FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL) CERTIFIED, PLANTATION-BASED PACKAGING

Our goal is to use plantation-based material for packaging that is sourced from responsibly managed plantations. We have implemented FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certification for cartons, shippers, tea filter paper, and our wipes, which constitute more than 50% of our portfolio. Our aim is to achieve 100% coverage for products by 2022.

We are moving to 100% biodegradable material for our baby wipes, with recyclable mono-polymer outer packaging. This transition will begin in 2021, and the movement of the entire wipes portfolio to this configuration will be completed by 2022.

Himalaya calendars are printed with soy ink on eco-friendly paper made from sustainable sources and are 100% recyclable. The paper used is FSC® certified and a step forward in realizing our dream of a sustainable ecosystem by reducing our carbon footprint.

PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT UNDER EPR (EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY)

We have undertaken measures to collect, recycle, process, and responsibly dispose of the plastic waste generated from post-consumer use. The “Wealth Out of Waste” program in our own retail stores encourages customers to return used product packs. The collected packs go through a proper segregation and reprocessing system, to be reused in the primary packaging stream.

MOVING TOWARDS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY

We have implemented a process to recycle waste release liner. Through a first-of-its-kind system, the waste that is currently being collected is made into pulp, which is used to make cardboard, paper, and tissue. We are proud that Himalaya has pioneered this process.

THE THREE R’S OF THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

We follow the three Rs - Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, which play a critical role in our packaging development. We have significantly reduced the use of plastic across our entire portfolio, including lotions, shampoos, and face wash tubes, resulting in the decrease of our plastic consumption by more than 500 tons. We are looking at further accelerating this program by using polymer grades with better functionality as well as adoption of technologies that help in reducing our plastic consumption.