Transforming plastic, protecting water
Every year, an estimated 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans. By 2050, this could result in more plastic than fish in the ocean by weight. Collecting this plastic before it is lost at sea allows it to be recycled, upcycled, or used for energy.
We partner with Empower, an organization that creates innovative solutions to the plastic waste problem by giving plastic value. This enables collectors, recyclers, brands, and consumers to make a significant impact on the environment.
Empower is helping to clean up the world and fight poverty by providing essential income to local waste pickers in disadvantaged communities. In collaboration with NGOs and charities, they set up collection points that offer financial rewards for plastic deposits. This plastic is digitally registered, allowing it to be traced back up the supply chain.
It may seem like a drop in the ocean, but we are hoping that our ongoing support today is helping to shape a cleaner tomorrow.
What else we're doing?
At IREN Shizen, we acknowledge our journey is still unfolding. We do not claim to be a fully sustainable beauty company, as we have yet to discover all the answers. We understand that any business centered on consumption, including ours, cannot be wholly sustainable within the current limitations. We are working hard to ensure that we are minimizing our impact, but don't have all the answers figured out, and we want to be transparent about where we are on this journey.
Green Biotechnology
We harness the power of biotechnology to create ingredients identical to those found in nature but without the negative environmental impact. Instead of taking from nature, we use advanced microbiological and fermentation processes to replicate natural skincare ingredients in our labs without disrupting the already challenged ecosystem.
Glass Over Plastics
We’re committed to limiting our impact by reducing the use of single-use plastic, and replacing them with glass and PCR plastic instead. Moving forward, we are actively looking towards creating refillable skincare packs and developing packaging that makes use of renewable or bio materials.
Small-Batch Production
We've implemented a strategy of producing only in small batches to prioritize quality over quantity, eliminate excess inventory, and prevent wastage. By adopting this sustainable approach, we are building stronger relationships with our producers, promoting fair trade practices, and creating a sustainable ecosystem that benefits everyone involved.
Forest Defenders
We’re gearing towards using FSC-certified paper for all of our exterior packaging. This means that we use paper harvested in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, supporting viable management of the world’s forest. We aim to prevent more of our forestry from being harmed.
Sourcing Local
The core of our formulations and ingredients are from Japan. However, our products also get shipped to our local suppliers in other parts of the world for final assembly and filing. To further reduce carbon footprint, we make every effort to source locally for all our eco boxes and cartons.
Cruelty-Free & Vegan
We care about the animals. All our products are approved as cruelty-free under the Leaping Bunny standard. From our supply chains to our actual formulated product, rest assured that we do not test on animals. All our products are also 100% vegan, as we do not use any ingredient derived from animals, including animal by-products.
Reef-Friendly
We banned more than 2000 questionable ingredients, including some that are toxic to coral reefs such as chemical sunscreens, silicones, parabens, phthalates and triclosan and microplastics, making our formulas more biodegradable and more difficult for marine organisms to digest.
Green Biotechnology
We harness the power of biotechnology to create ingredients identical to those found in nature but without the negative environmental impact. Instead of taking from nature, we use advanced microbiological and fermentation processes to replicate natural skincare ingredients in our labs without disrupting the already challenged ecosystem.
Glass Over Plastics
We’re committed to limiting our impact by reducing the use of single-use plastic, and replacing them with glass and PCR plastic instead. Moving forward, we are actively looking towards creating refillable skincare packs and developing packaging that makes use of renewable or bio materials.
Small-Batch Production
We've implemented a strategy of producing only in small batches to prioritize quality over quantity, eliminate excess inventory, and prevent wastage. By adopting this sustainable approach, we are building stronger relationships with our producers, promoting fair trade practices, and creating a sustainable ecosystem that benefits everyone involved.
Forest Defenders
We’re gearing towards using FSC-certified paper for all of our exterior packaging. This means that we use paper harvested in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, supporting viable management of the world’s forest. We aim to prevent more of our forestry from being harmed.
Sourcing Local
The core of our formulations and ingredients are from Japan. However, our products also get shipped to our local suppliers in other parts of the world for final assembly and filing. To further reduce carbon footprint, we make every effort to source locally for all our eco boxes and cartons.
Cruelty-Free & Vegan
We care about the animals. All our products are approved as cruelty-free under the Leaping Bunny standard. From our supply chains to our actual formulated product, rest assured that we do not test on animals. All our products are also 100% vegan, as we do not use any ingredient derived from animals, including animal by-products.
Reef-Friendly
We banned more than 2000 questionable ingredients, including some that are toxic to coral reefs such as chemical sunscreens, silicones, parabens, phthalates and triclosan and microplastics, making our formulas more biodegradable and more difficult for marine organisms to digest.
What's our next step?
Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. There's always more that we can do.
Refillable Packaging
We are in works to launch refillable packs for our products, to enable easy reuse of current skincare bottles to cut down on waste.
"Go Green" Options
We are introducing a 'low packaging' option at checkout, letting customers choose simpler packaging to reduce extra cardboard and materials.
Recycling Programme
We aim to create a recycling program with exclusive perks to encourage customers to return used bottles for recycling, ensuring proper reuse.
