Sustainable packaging standards

Aromatica rethinks about packages to reduce carbon emissions starting from the product planning stage. By operating a refill station, we are establishing a culture of reusing packages, and we collect used packages ourselves to recycle and thus reduce wastes. Through this, we are pushing forward with the prototypical resource circulation system of ‘Bottle-to-Bottle.’

Improve recyclability and zero residual wastes

In 2021, Aromatica developed containers with outstanding recycling ratings and made a full renewal to make recycling of all product containers easy. Applied subsidiary materials made only with recycled PET and PP materials for the first time in Korea, and these materials are 100% recyclable single materials to allow recycling once again after use. Instead of using pumps that cannot be recycled because they are made with various materials, PP single material one-touch caps that make resource recycling easy was applied. Compared to generally produced PET, 100% recycled PET materials that cut carbon emissions by about 50% were applied, and recyclability was further enhanced by using transparent PET instead of colored containers. (In the case of colored PET, there are difficulties in the collection stage as colored PETs must be gathered together for recycling.) Applied water soluble labels with PP materials that are easy to remove labels during separate collection and for which gravity separation is easier in the recycling process. In addition, the label adhesion area was reduced to minimize use of adhesives, thus raising recyclability.

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  Single material aluminum tubeGood recycling rating

  Among products known as aluminum tubes, most of the tubes merely imitate aluminum or have appearances as aluminum. However, Aromatica developed 100% aluminum tubes that are not mixed with other materials to allow recycling.

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  Single material aluminum tube

  Among products known as aluminum tubes, most of the tubes merely imitate aluminum or have appearances as aluminum. However, Aromatica developed 100% aluminum tubes that are not mixed with other materials to allow recycling.

  * 100% aluminum tubes are recyclable materials, but there are no recycling rating standards for it, and it is currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Environment. Upon checking with the Ministry of Environment, it can be separately disposed of as cans.

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  Single material PE tubeGood recycling rating

  The existing PE tubes could not be recycled as they were made with five layers of different materials labeled as other plastics. (LDPE, EVOH, ADMER, etc.) We developed a tube made with 3-layer single LDPE material to allow recycling, and it was labeled as LDPE plastics.

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  Metal-free pump

  Generally used pumps are mixed materials (stainless steel, glass, PP, PE), and therefore could not be recycled. We thus removed metals and plastics and made it completely with plastics (PE, PP) to develop a metal-free pump that is easy to recycle.

Zero Waste Shop

Aromatica does not stop just at developing sustainable packages, but is actively spreading the culture of refilling and reusing containers once they are purchased.
We have partnered with 31 Zero Waste Shops nationwide to spread the culture of refilling for consumers.

Hotel / Lodging

Aromatica has partnered with 10 hotels/lodging to reduce disposable hygiene product wastes, while introducing refill amenities for which containers can be reused.

* From 2022, free disposable hygiene products cannot be provided for all lodging facilities with 50 or more rooms, and all other lodging facilities from 2024.

Even if we carefully dispose resources separately by category, most of these become mixed and contaminated at the recycling center. That is why Aromatica has established bases in different regions to collect empty bottles and transparent PET bottles and collect them directly using an electric truck to make Aromatica’s empty bottles. If you wish to JOIN THE CIRCLE of Aromatica, empty out the transparent PET or Aromatica bottles and bring them to your nearest collection base.

Circulation process of transparent PET

• Empty bottles

  AROMATICA collects its product bottles, transparent PET bottles, and plastic bottle caps in a joint effort with zero-waste shops.

• Collection

  AROMATICA's electric trucks pick up PET and bottle caps from collection bases. They are delivered to the recycling flake factory directly without going through screening areas.

• Flakes

  20 tons of PET collected by AROMATICA are gathered, washed, crushed, and made into flakes.

• Pellets

  Flakes are melted, elongated, and then chopped into pellets. These high-quality pellets turn into recycled plastic containers or merchandise.

• Rebirth

  This process creates AROMATICA's100% PCR containers. It is how Aromatica envisions our virtuous circle.

Reason for gathering 10 tons of transparent PETs

That’s because among the numerous plastics such as PET, PP, PS, and PVC, PET can be recycled at the highest quality. PET that completed the process of sorting, crushing, melting, and recycling become the raw materials for making new cosmetic product containers. In order to make recycling materials having high utilization value, we only gather transparent PET not mixed with other materials. We do this because PET with waterproof coating or other additional processes lower its value as recycling materials. The transparent PET that we gather through our partner collection bases go through a process and are reborn into recycled PET.

Also, the minimum batch amount needed to crush these transparent PET gathered from the collection bases and turn them into flakes is 10 tons. If 10 tons are not gathered, it must be mixed with plastics having lower value as recycled materials. Our goal is to gather 10 tons to produce grade A recycled plastics with clean resources that we gathered. That’s because no matter how slow and difficult this may be, true recycling starts from here.

Collection sites for transparent PET

In order to gather more transparent PET, Aromatica has partnered up with Zero Waste Stores. Starting with the capital area, we selected regional bases to install transparent PET collection boxes at each base. When transparent PETs are gathered here, we pick them up directly using Aromatica's electric trucks. Aromatica is looking to expand its field of solidarity so that people who endure working for the environment can take a step closer to a sustainable life.

• 5,995,652 ea

  137.9 tons of carbon emissions is equivalent to the amount of carbon when using about 5,995,662 plastic take-out cups. Aromatica has taken the initiative to reduce plastics and encourages customers to reduce the use of plastics.

  2,808,767 ea

  Just in 2021, 2,808,767 containers and refill pack products made by recycling waste plastics and waste glass were used.

  137,000 Kilo

  2,808,767 products manufactured and sold with recycled containers and refill products instead of producing new plastic containers are equivalent to reducing about 137.9 tons of carbon emissions. Aromatica has reduced about 137.9 tons of carbon emissions by using sustainable packages and packaging materials in one year.

  145,390 kW

  In 2021, we managed the plant facility operation hours to cut power usage by 145,390 kW.

• 65 ea

  Aromatica is continuously researching and developing to create sustainable products and packages. In result, we produced 23 different recycled PET containers, 14 recycled glass containers, single material PE tube, single material aluminum tube, metal-free pumps, and 14 different Zero Waste merch in 2021.

  45 sites

  Aromatica does not stop just at developing sustainable packages, but is actively spreading the culture of refilling and reusing containers once they are purchased. We have partnered with 35 Zero Waste Shops nationwide to spread the culture of refilling for consumers. Furthermore, from 2022, free disposable hygiene products cannot be provided for all lodging facilities with 50 or more rooms, and all other lodging facilities from 2024. Aromatica has partnered with 10 hotels/lodging to reduce disposable hygiene product wastes, while introducing refill amenities for which containers can be reused.

  30 sites

  In order to recycle containers that no longer have use, we partnered with 30 Zero Waste Shops in the capital area through the JOIN THE CIRCLE campaign to build transparent PET collection bases.

  8,400 kW

  In 2021, we conserved lighting energy at our plant facility to cut electric power usage by 8,400 kW every month.

Sustainable raw materials

Even when selecting partners, Aromatica consider impact on society and the environment. Aromatica’s essential oil partner practices environmental protection and fair trade to take part in our mission. The essential oil supplier has been continuously participating in donations to establish a culture for preserving lavender and lavandin. In the case of lavender essential oil, it researches ways to use sustainable energy during local distillation. Instead of throwing away the lavender that completed distillation, they are used as compost for growing fruits.

Aromatica has been an active partner of the safe cosmetic product campaign of the US environment organization EWG since 2009, and was the first to introduce EWG to Korea. This has a positive impact on the Korean cosmetic industry, which elevated awareness on material safety. In 2016, Aromatica became the first Korean manufacturing brand to receive the US EWG VERIFIED™ certification, and has completed verification from strict beauty certification institutes since then. Through this process, it built a database on (potentially) harmful substances and took the initiative in setting ‘sustainable beauty standards’ in Korea. Aromatica practices bioethics to prescribe a vegan formula using only plant-derived raw materials. We thoroughly exclude all harmful substances that can have a negative impact on both people and the environment to manufacture products using healthy and safe materials.

Reduction of energy consumption

• Use of lighting that can increase energy efficiency.

  Aromatica maximizes use of natural lighting in the office and uses lighting with high energy efficiency. Furthermore, in order to enhance the efficiency of lighting facilities, we use light reflectors or light diffusion devices. Instead of lighting up all facilities, lighting is operated only in work areas, and we are always monitoring to make sure that lights are turned off at the end of the day and whether unnecessary lights are turned on.

  Efficient electricity operation

  We inspect and repair the heating/cooling and air conditioning system at least twice a year. We installed a high-efficiency GHP (Gas Heat Pump) air conditioner to reduce electric energy consumption and effectively respond to electric peak loads at specific hours to hugely save on capacity of power substations. We also have fine dust removal devices and central-controlled remote control air purifiers. This is an eco-friendly air conditioning method that responds to air pollution such as yellow dust and fine dust.

• Office that practices energy conservation

  Aromatica is doing all it can to conserve energy at the office. We use copiers and fax machines with high energy efficiency and always use standby mode (energy saving button). Paper used in copiers and printers are recycled and we are converting to a paper-free electronic authorization system.

  EV and charging infrastructure

  All vehicles owned by the company are electric vehicles. When compared to gasoline vehicles, this can save 13,260 liters of gasoline annually. The headquarters, Zero Station Sinsa, and Osan Plant all have EV charging stations. In addition, flexible work hours are offered to reduce unnecessary energy wastes during heavy traffic hours.

• Sustainable smart factory

  Aromatica completed the energy-saving smart factory in Osan, Gyeonggi-do that can minimize electric consumption and increase energy recycling rates. For cooling and heating, we are reducing carbon emissions through the use of eco-friendly energy that utilizes energy obtained from the outside air temperature.

  Green soil made with wastewater sludge

  The Aromatica Osan plant uses sludge generated from the wastewater treatment process to produce and use green soil. Green soil is a type of soil sprayed to revive barren land or wastelands where plants cannot grow. It is fertile enough for plants to grow and is composed of compound organic matter with strong moisturizing and air permeability. Plants grow healthy on green soil.

  Regular water usage management

  The plant sets up plans for reducing use of water and regularly inspects and manages water usage. Leaks re checked for regularly and renovation work is underway. Furthermore, meters were installed in areas where water are supplied in large amounts. The overall water pressure applied to the water supply system is managed at appropriate levels.

• Max power control device for systematic energy management

  The Aromatica smart factory has a max power control device. The max power control device manages the max power of electric equipment. This is a smart energy management system that maximizes energy consumption efficiency just by setting the target power usage, and it can save on electricity fees. The smart factory conserves electricity with the max power control device and it is improving consumption efficiency through energy user pattern recognition. In addition, it is improving the operation way through integrated monitoring of cooling and heating equipment, while extending the life of the devices.

  8,400 kW of electricity conservation

  The Osan plant is holding lights-off campaigns to conserve use of lights in the plant. Despite some difficulties, this campaign began as part of our efforts to take part in conserving energy, and a person at the plant was designated to turn off unnecessary lights. This is saving 700kw of electricity every month. This reduces 8,400kw of electricity every year.

  145,390 kilowatts of electricity conservation

  We are fully equipped with utility facilities to continuously reduce energy usage in the plant. By reducing electricity used for manufacturing one product from 0.212kW to 0.174kW, we have saved on a total of 145,390kW of electricity.

AROMATICA Zero Station

In commemoration of Earth Day on April 22, 2021, we opened the Aromatica Zero Station. Zero Station is a cultural complex where customers can experience the Aromatica brand philosophy that aims for sustainable environment and beauty. In order to allow more people to practice sustainable life, we added spaces such as a tea cafe, aromatherapy zone and plastic mill to the existing brand experience hall.

Upcycling Project

Zero Station renewed the interior and exterior by reusing the furniture and waste materials of ‘House of Aromatica’ located on the second floor of the Aromatica building. Scan the QR codes hidden on furniture and the floor to see videos of Zero Station upcycling project.

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  Waste glass terrazzo table

  The steel table used in the House of Aromatica was repainted and waste glass pieces were used on the top plate to produce this table like a terrazzo that can be combined and reused with steel furnishing.

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  Mask chair

  By repeating the process of melting thousands of face masks were melted with hot air and then cooling and hardening, it was reborn as a chair with the durability of strong and tough plastic.

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  Paper porridge chair

  This is a piece made by using plastic chairs used at the House of Aromatica by covering paper porridge made by wastes, egg cartons, etc. collected by an artist on the plastic chair.

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  Pebble stone floor

  Waste glass from a glass factory was processed and mixed with existing pebble stone floor materials for this terrace floor.

Aromatica Zero Station that was opened in Starfield Hanam includes a transparent PET separate collecting area for practicing prototypical resource circulation through bottle-to-bottle, furnishings using boards made by recycling lids, a refill station where customers can purchase just the contents by bringing in their empty bottles, and New Rock by Hanna Jang that gives the message about plastics that do not decompose in nature.

Care for community

• Family-friendly management culture

  In 2019, Aromatica was recognized as a company that advocates family-friendly management, and received family-friend company certification by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. In 2020, it was recognized as a company in which employees can find harmony of work and leisure, and received leisure-friendly company certification.

  Culture of donating

  Aromatica donated 29,952 Aromatica products in 2021 for senior citizens, disabled persons, and children who need cosmetic products cannot afford it. It also donated a total of 159,920,000 KRW. It regularly sponsors children both in Korea and abroad with unstable family environments and financial difficulties, and supports medical expenses for children who are ill but don’t give upon their dreams. We are also providing support for senior citizens living alone so that they may improve their quality of life and stay healthy in their old age.

• Culture of promoting child birth

  There were 15 employees at Aromatica who gave birth from 2017 to 2021. Eleven of them took maternity leave and 100% returned to work. Aromatica offers customized care for each period from pregnancy to child care. A congratulatory party for pregnancy is held and working moms who just gave birth are given one-year maternity leave. In addition, mothers can choose to shorten their working hours by two hours for 1.5 months before taking maternity leave and for one year after taking maternity leave. We also provide one-month paid maternity leave and postnatal care expenses. These programs help create an environment for working mothers to work without having to worry about giving birth and raising their children.