Watsons PH to energize more facilities with solar
- March 11, 2025
Watsons, a health, beauty, and wellness retail brand under the SM Group, plans to energize thirty more branches and one distribution center with renewable energy (RE) this year. This increasing use of RE and energy-efficient technology across its operations aligns with its commitment to sustainability.
At present, 95 Watsons stores nationwide, together with all of the retail giant’s distribution centers in Luzon and Visayas, are using renewable energy.
“Our commitment to sustainability drives us to integrate renewable energy into our operations, transforming how we power our stores and distribution centers,” said Sharon Decapia, Senior Assistant Vice President for PR, Marketing & Sustainability at Watsons.
“We are not only reducing our environmental footprint but also setting a benchmark for sustainable retail practices. This is just the beginning, and we are excited to expand these initiatives to create a greener future,” Decapia continued.
(Also read: SM Retail plugs into 100% clean energy with MPower)
Doing good while looking and feeling good
As of December 2024, Watsons’ solar energy program has reduced its carbon footprint by 338.32 tons of CO2 and prevented 135.74 tons of coal from being used to energize its facilities.
Last July, Watsons Philippines launched its first-ever Greener Store in San Pedro, Laguna. The store is equipped with solar panels and partially operates on renewable energy. With the solar panels, the store saves around 7.5 tons of CO2 emissions annually, which is equivalent to the CO2 absorption of around 377 trees every year.
(Also read: MSpectrum & Meycauayan College Unite for Solar Rooftop)
The company also said that all of the Greener Store’s marketing materials, including displays and signage, are made from recycled paper and boards with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, which means that the material comes from responsibly managed forests and recycled materials. The FSC is an international, non-profit group that promotes sustainable management of the world’s forests.
The store also has a refill station where consumers can top up their old Naturals by Watsons bottles with their preferred body wash or shampoo variant. The Greener Store also offers screw-capped refillable bottles that help customers save up to 40 percent compared to standard purchases.
“This store sets a new standard in sustainable retailing, embodying our dedication to fostering a vibrant culture of sustainability in every facet of our operations,” Jin Jimenez, director of store operations, said during the store inauguration. “By empowering our customers to embrace sustainable products and practices, we aim to make a meaningful impact on our planet.”
Sources:
https://www.speed.ph/watsons-ph-expands-renewable-energy-use/
https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/3/watsons-first-greener-store-laguna
https://www.bworldonline.com/arts-and-leisure/2024/06/24/603561/watsons-goes-green/
https://us.fsc.org/en-us/certification
https://us.fsc.org/en-us/what-we-do
