Easy to Understand [ESG A to Z] News returns with its third installment. We share candid conversations with AMORE:CYCLE Real Talk participants about Amorepacific's container collection campaign in this issue. [Go Back to Last Issue]

At Amorepacific, we run our plastic reduction campaign under the slogan LESS PLASTIC. WE ARE FANTASTIC!, emphasizing the importance of collective action.

♻️ While completely eliminating plastic use remains challenging, it's crucial to use less plastic, ensure proper collection, and extend product lifespans to prevent plastic from meaninglessly accumulating on our planet. We believe these initiatives require collaboration beyond corporate efforts.

🌍 Remember RETURN from our previous issue?
RETURN is essential for Amorepacific to implement recycling effectively. This is precisely why we conduct our container collection campaign (AMORE:CYCLE).

When cosmetic containers enter standard recycling processes, their varied colors and materials often lead to sorting difficulties, making recycling challenging. However, when consumers participate in our container collection campaign with its specialized sorting process, the likelihood of successful recycling increases significantly. This helps minimize waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or incinerators.

♻️ AMORE:CYCLE, which began in 2009, expanded to online platforms (Amore Mall) in 2024. Let's look at what we've achieved over these 16 years:

🤗Plastic Reduction: Not a Solo Corporate Journey
Meet the 'FANTASTIC CREW' - individuals who actively champion plastic reduction in their daily lives alongside Amorepacific, working towards a healthier planet and lifestyle. We want to introduce you to three dedicated members who have been particularly active in AMORE:CYCLE.

Through conversations with Jaein Kim, Ayoung Kim, and Jin Kim, we felt their genuine passion for plastic reduction. They're consistently mindful of proper waste sorting and plastic decrease in their daily lives, and their deep appreciation for Amorepacific was evident.

✔️ The FANTASTIC CREW's Thoughts on Plastic🤔

Where do you think plastic is most commonly used in daily life? Here's what our FANTASTIC CREW had to say:

"Plastic bags are still widely used. It's particularly challenging when grocery shopping because items often come in plastic containers you can't avoid. When I have to take plastic bags, I either reuse the clean ones or try to use paper bags or larger reusable bags instead." - Jaein Kim🥲

"As a parent, straws are the most frequently used plastic items. While other plastics can be recycled, there aren't many practical alternatives to plastic straws. Though we promote tumbler use, having too many tumblers or eco bags can also create waste. So perhaps we shouldn't be too harsh on plastic." - Jin Kim😅

"For me, it's toothbrushes. While there are alternatives to plastic parts, they're not very practical. So I make sure to repurpose worn toothbrushes for bathroom cleaning before disposing of them." - Ayoung Kim😭

🤔While we know we need to reduce plastic use, it's clear that some reductions are easier said than done.

✔️ Ideas for Plastic Reduction💡

Let's explore our FANTASTIC CREW members' tips for reducing plastic use:

"The most important thing is thorough recycling. I meticulously clean meal kit containers and fruit packaging, cut off the tops, and repurpose them as sock organizers in my closet. I also dry and reuse skincare pads for bathroom cleaning. They're handy for cleaning hair from the sink drains as you don't have to touch them directly." - Ayoung Kim🥰

"Instead of throwing away empty cosmetic containers, I repurpose them as brush holders." - Jaein Kim😎

"If you cut open finished cosmetic products with clean scissors, you'll find quite a bit left. When I scraped it out with cotton swabs and transferred it to a container, I had enough for almost ten days of use. It's just as important to use products completely as it is to dispose of them properly." - Jin Kim😉

Jin Kim also shared how recycling has changed her family's daily life:
“We have separate bins throughout our house—one for plastic bags and another for plastic containers. When things are out of sight, they're often out of mind for cleaning. My kids used to throw everything in one bin, but now they ask, 'Mom, this goes here, right?' When environmental topics come up at school, they have much to say. I think they're positively influencing their friends, too.”

✔️ Future Direction for AMORE:CYCLE

As dedicated participants in AMORE:CYCLE, our three crew members shared their honest feedback for improvement.

"After participating in AMORE:CYCLE and seeing the forest grow, I wanted to do more. It feels good knowing I'm contributing to environmental protection. While I wish more friends would join, AMORE:CYCLE on Amore Mall isn't well-known yet. Since it's such a meaningful initiative, I hope they'll introduce tiered rewards based on contribution levels and create more events to boost participation." - Jaein Kim🙂

"I'm so relieved that Amore Mall started the container collection campaign, as participating offline was difficult. For online participation, we need to collect 10 products before sending them in, which isn't as easy as it sounds. We need creative solutions for storing containers until we reach that number." - Ayoung Kim😜

"I've been participating in innisfree's container collection campaign for over 15 years, so I'm thrilled that Amore Mall has started one, too. Earning Beauty Points and decluttering from home without driving to stores make participating easy. However, I hope they can make disposal easier - perhaps with more easily removable stickers and clearer disposal instructions. There's also demand for recycled merchandise. Since Amorepacific products have such beautiful colors, I'd love to see recycled bags or bottles made from them." - Jin Kim☺️

🌍 After more than two hours of insightful discussion, the three FANTASTIC CREW members toured Amore Yongsan's AMORE:CYCLE popup space. Exploring various products in the popup space reinforced their understanding of the importance of reducing plastic use.

[Join the Container Collection Campaign]