Watsons Türkiye Continues Zero Waste Drive at Full Speed

Watsons Turkey implements a zero-waste system at its head office, distribution center and 46 stores, sorting waste at source. The company aims to extend this zero-waste system to 62 additional stores, reaching zero-waste status across all street-level stores (108 stores in total). Operating under the "Watsons Good Movement" umbrella, Watsons Turkey has pursued sustainability initiatives since 2019, working across numerous areas ranging from forest expansion to increasing women's workforce participation, improving street animal living conditions, and recycling waste. These projects serve 15 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. With Zero Waste Certification for its head office, distribution center and 46 stores, Watsons Turkey sorts waste at source in compliance with zero-waste regulations, contributing to the economy and maintaining regular records of its monthly recycling contributions. Through zero-waste efforts at 46 certified stores in 2023, Watsons Turkey recovered over 14 tons of waste for recycling at stores, 500 tons at the distribution center and 1 ton at the head office, contributing to environmental protection. In 2024, the company aims to increase the number of stores with Zero Waste Certification to 108, achieving zero-waste status across all street-level stores.

Zero Waste Committee efforts have saved 14,000 trees

Watsons Turkey places sustainability at the center of business processes through seven employee-led sustainability committees and engages all employees, customers, suppliers and manufacturers in its sustainability journey. The Zero Waste Committee, composed of Watsons employees, drives waste recovery at the head office, distribution center and stores. Developing strategies for the collection, recovery and reuse of waste including paper, plastic, glass, composite, metal, organic, electronic, batteries and wood, the Zero Waste Committee reviews all internal waste processes across the head office, distribution center and stores with the goal of minimizing waste output. The committee contributes to developing zero-waste awareness within the company while also monitoring and reporting on related activities.

Target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50.4% by 2030

Leading the retail cosmetics sector's sustainability journey in Turkey, AS Watson Group, the parent of Watsons Turkey, is the world's largest international health and beauty retailer operating over 16,000 stores across 12 retail brands in 28 markets with more than 130,000 employees globally. In line with global targets, Watsons Turkey aims to eliminate unnecessary packaging by 2030, eliminate PVC use in its own-brand products and Watsons-exclusive products, reduce electricity consumption by 30%, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50.4% compared to 2018 levels.