Reducing Plastic Usage
The excessive use and inappropriate disposal of plastics are linked to various environmental issues, such as global warming due to CO2 emissions generated throughout the lifecycle and the impact on biodiversity caused by marine plastic waste. Our Group announced ROHTO Group Plastic Usage Policy in July 2023. As a company that manufactures and sells products made from plastic, we will continue to work on developing environmentally friendly products.
Reduced plastic usage
1) Proposal for refill pouches
Hada Labo launched refills in 2005, and has since actively adopted refills for new brands, leading to a reduction of over 1,400 tons per year.
2) Proposal for replacement containers
We are promoting the use of reusable containers, primarily for cream-type products that are difficult to refill. We have introduced this to some Obagi, SKIO, and Epistame products, and Obagi X Derma Advanced Drift has achieved a 91% reduction in plastic usage compared to the original product.
In 2025, Epistem's Stem Science Lotion C was changed to a refillable bottle, making it possible to replace the bottle for a total of three products in the Stem Science series. The Stem Science Lotion C container achieved an 80% reduction in the amount of plastic discarded after use. This reduces waste while maintaining high design quality, and combines the enjoyment of using cosmetics with consideration for the environment.
3) Lighter container weight
While maintaining the strength of the bottle, thickness has been reduced to make it lighter. This not only reduces the amount of plastic used, but also the energy required for production and transportation, leading to a reduction in the environmental impact. Rohto C Cube Soft One has achieved a 30% reduction compared to conventional products.
4) Reduction of container labels
With the Rohto C Cube series, by minimizing the container label, we have been able to reduce the amount of label plastic by 50% compared to conventional products.
5) Reducing eye-catching stickers
Starting in 2021, we will gradually eliminate the use of eye-catching plastic stickers attached to our products in an effort to reduce our use of plastic. By switching to printing directly onto the outer film or containers, we are working to reduce the amount of plastic used while ensuring customer visibility.
6) Eliminate portable eye drop bags
Taking quality into consideration, we have stopped including plastic carrying bags in compatible eye drop products.
7) Eliminate over-shrinking
We have eliminated over-shrinking in 50 Megumi series and the Hada Labo large-volume series, reducing the amount of plastic used without compromising the product's appearance or virginity.
8) Simplifying and eliminating packaging materials
By changing the eye drops that were previously packaged in film to a band-type package, we were able to reduce the amount of film used.
The SKIO series has traditionally achieved environmentally friendly and ethical packaging by using bubble packs that combine the exterior packaging and cushioning material. However, we are now working to reduce the amount of plastic used by eliminating bubble packs and switching to boxes made from recycled paper for some products.
Uses materials with low environmental impact
1) Use of plant-derived materials
We are gradually switching to "biomass plastic," made from plant-derived biomass, as a material for our bottles and pouches, thereby reducing the amount of fossil-derived plastic we use.
2) Use of recycled materials
We are gradually switching to "mechanically recycled PET," made from recycled PET bottles, as a material for bottles, pouches, and blisters.
3) Switching logistics materials
In order to reduce the environmental impact of logistics, we have introduced plastic pallets made partially from ocean-bound plastic (OBP)* as materials for product storage and loading at our logistics centers, and have begun gradually using them from August 2022.
*Plastic materials collected from communities within 50km of the coastline that do not have formal waste disposal practices.
Reducing Waste
The excessive use and inappropriate disposal of plastics are linked to various environmental issues, such as global warming due to CO2 emissions generated throughout the lifecycle and the impact on biodiversity caused by marine plastic waste. As a company that manufactures and sells products made from plastic, we will continue to work on developing environmentally friendly products.
Initiatives at Plants - Recycling Waste -
Rather than discarding waste generated in our business activities, we aim to recycle it and give it back to society. We thoroughly separate waste and promote the repurposing of waste plastic, paper, and scrap iron. We also select reputable waste disposal companies that are environmentally friendly and ensure that they dispose of it appropriately. In the office, we are promoting initiatives such as reducing paper waste by using online meetings to reduce paper usage and promoting the digitization of documents.
Product Initiatives
We are also working to reduce the amount of waste generated after products are delivered to customers by reusing containers through replacement and refilling, reducing the amount of plastic used, and printing package inserts on the inside of the inner box.
Elimination of enclosed separate package inserts
By printing the package inserts required for OTC medicines on the inside of the paper box, we are reducing the amount of paper used and wasted, which was previously enclosed separately. We are gradually introducing this system to eye drops, skin medications, gastrointestinal medicines, etc.
In fiscal 2024, we introduced new products such as "Namida ROHTO Five" and "Pansiron Cure SP (Granules)."
Reduction of packing materials
We have reviewed our packaging methods and changed some products from packaging using an inner box to packaging using cardboard dividers.
Initiatives with retailers
Reducing returns and waste
Return rate by fiscal year (%)
As part of our efforts to reduce waste, we have been working on a project since 2015 to improve the long-standing issue of returns in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry and reduce returns. Even for seasonal products such as allergy relief products, sunscreens, and moisturizing products, we have achieved a reduction in returns by controlling shipments in cooperation with retailers to achieve optimal in-store inventory and delivering products in a timely manner. We continued our efforts as the "Mottai-nai" project in fiscal year 2025 and achieved a low return rate of 1.6%.
Ethical Consumption
Since July 2020, we have been participating in "Go Ethical," an initiative aimed at reducing waste from products in the popular "OUTLET" section of "LOHACO by ASKUL," an online shopping service for general consumers operated by ASKUL Corporation. Products that were previously subject to disposal* but have no quality issues are being resold in the outlet section, reducing waste.
*Unopened discontinued products returned by retailers or wholesalers
Initiatives with Suppliers - Recycling waste materials during container manufacturing -
High-quality, medical-grade plastic is used for the containers of our eye drops. At our supplier's factory, plastic scraps are generated during the molding process, as well as waste that does not meet quality standards. However, we are working with our suppliers to promote the reuse of these plastic scraps. In fiscal year 2024, we began using them for the outer pouches of some lip products, and in fiscal year 2025, we started reusing them as label stickers for eye drop bottles. We will continue to expand the range of products covered and explore new uses to promote the effective use of resources.
Water Resource Management
Water resource protection policy
The Rohto Group's business activities require the use of a certain amount of water. Recognizing that our activities are closely related to water resources, we recognize that the effective use of water resources is our social responsibility, and we are committed to environmental conservation activities such as the effective use of water resources throughout our business, reducing water usage, and preventing water pollution.
Water Resource Management Plan
Our group has formulated a water management plan with the aim of appropriately managing water resources, and we are monitoring and understanding water usage, water intake, and wastewater volume at our production sites both domestically and internationally. Based on the location and water usage conditions of each site, we are implementing management and improvement measures as needed.
Initiatives to reduce usage
Water resource usage trends
Water is essential for our products, and as production volume increases, so does water usage. Water is also needed for cleaning and other production processes to maintain quality. We are working to effectively reduce water usage so that we can minimize our environmental impact while maintaining product quality. We are also working to reduce water usage not only in our factories, but also in our offices, by limiting the amount of water used in toilets and hand washing.
Efficient use of water
Our main factory, the Ueno Plant, uses some groundwater. The wastewater generated during the purification process is reprocessed and recycled, making an effort to use precious water resources efficiently.
Improving wastewater quality
Regarding wastewater generated from our business activities, each of our facilities implements appropriate treatment and water quality management in accordance with laws and local standards, and we are working to reduce the impact on the surrounding water environment. At the Ueno Techno Center, we properly maintain and manage wastewater treatment facilities, and in accordance with the "Environmental Conservation Agreement" with Iga City, we conduct regular monitoring of water quality items such as pH, BOD, and COD. We also conduct water quality tests on final discharged water and report the results to the city, thus carrying out continuous water quality management.
Responding to water-stressed areas and collaborating with local communities.
Our group assesses water risks from the perspectives of water stress (tight water demand), floods and droughts, water quality, and ecosystems, taking into account the characteristics of the watersheds where our facilities are located. We conduct assessments for our production facilities both domestically and internationally, and based on the results, we identify facilities that should be prioritized for review. For these facilities, we gather information on actual conditions such as water sources and discharge points, permits and licenses, alternative water sources, water-related troubles, and impacts on operations. Through interviews and dialogues with local personnel, we are working to concretize measures to address the risks.
Water resource data
Our group collects water resource data on water intake and discharge volume from our production sites both domestically and internationally to understand our water usage. For water intake, we track data by water source, such as surface water, groundwater, and tap water. For discharge, we track data by destination, such as surface water, groundwater, and public sewers.
Furthermore, for sites deemed to require priority verification in the water risk assessment, we conduct additional investigations beyond standard environmental data, including the management status of intake and discharge, alternative water sources, and impacts on operations. Moving forward, we will continue to improve data accuracy and conduct continuous monitoring to contribute to more efficient water use, water recycling, wastewater management, and responses to water risks.