This skincare brand shows it's possible to go plastic-free on e-commerce packaging

Online shopping is great — hello 8.8 deals! — but the minute our parcels arrive, our enthusiasm shrivels up with every layer of plastic packaging we need to remove.

Understandably, everybody wants to deliver goods that are undamaged and whole and beautiful. But it's just so astounding to see so much plastic, it's as if plastic pollution wasn't real! 

So news about Garnier Philippines partnering with non-profit Cora and e-commerce platform Lazada for a plastic-free packaging is relief to us. 

Beginning this month, Garnier orders from Lazada will be shipped out in plastic-free packaging. The brand will be shifting to eco-friendly materials to help reduce overall packaging footprint.

For instance, they're letting go of the usual plastic tape in favor of the more eco-friendly and recyclable water-infused kraft paper tape in securing and protecting the products.

And instead of bubble wrap, the brand will use recycled paper wrap from suppliers that have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The paper wrap can be reused at least 6 times. It also disintegrates in water within 30 seconds.

Additionally, all items are packed in a paper box that is RoHS-certified and does not contain any hazardous toxic chemicals. RoHS stands for Restriction of use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Garnier Philippines has actually had what they like to call their Green Parcel Program since October 2020 and has already saved a lot of plastic — like 1,240kg of plastic — since then. Offering it to Lazada this month will definitely save the earth from choking on more plastic. 

Where does non-profit organization CORA (Communities Organized for Resource Allocation) come in, you may ask? Well, with their help, Garnier will donate a seedling for the protection of the mangrove ecosystem in Baybay, Leyte, for every purchase of the Garnier All-Star Kit. 

According to the statement, "CORA and Garnier aim to provide measurable action for carbon storage and sequestration to help mitigate climate change, improve opportunities for livelihood and income for women involved in mangrove rehabilitation programs and biodiversity-friendly enterprises, and strengthen local policies to support women and children."

Which is just about time — because have you seen the latest IPCC report? It's not looking good. Planet Earth needs all the help it can get, and with online shopping just gaining momentum in the Philippines, we really need more brands dropping the plastic and opt for a more sustainable packaging. — LA, GMA News