Running until 8 October, the “Protect the Environment with You” campaign aims to make “plastic reduction at source” part of everyday shopping habits by encouraging consumers to choose refill products over conventional packaging.

As part of the initiative, Kao will donate HK$1 to WWF-Hong Kong for every Kao refill pack purchased at PARKnSHOP stores and the PNS eShop during the three-month campaign. The funds will support the organisation’s conservation and environmental education programmes.

The campaign also transforms TASTE Whampoa Garden into an interactive sustainability experience designed to educate shoppers about plastic waste and circular consumption. 

Visitors can take part in hands-on activities demonstrating how recycled plastics can be repurposed into new products, alongside parent-child workshops where participants create accessories using recycled plastic beads.

Speaking on the collaboration, Toshiya Nishino, President of Kao (Hong Kong), said the campaign builds on the companies’ four-year ESG partnership while encouraging consumers to adopt refill products as a practical way to reduce plastic consumption.

“Refill packs use 69% less plastic than regular bottles, yet adoption in Hong Kong remains far below markets like Japan, highlighting a significant opportunity for change,” Nishino said.

He added that the initiative aims to make sustainable choices more accessible while advancing Kao’s vision of “Making Life Beautiful.”

Meanwhile, Freda Ng, Managing Director of PARKnSHOP Hong Kong, said the retailer hopes the campaign will make environmentally friendly choices more convenient for shoppers.

“Through this collaboration with Kao to introduce refill packs, we are enabling our customers to effortlessly integrate eco-friendly habits into their daily routines,” Ng said.

The experience space features a “Plastic Reborn” installation created with local eco-design studio Gaau1 Up, allowing visitors to pedal specially built bicycles that crush recycled plastics to demonstrate the upcycling process.

From 17 to 19 July, shoppers purchasing any Kao refill pack at TASTE Whampoa Garden can also join limited-capacity DIY sustainability workshops where recycled plastics are transformed into colourful beads and accessories.

Visitors are additionally invited to pledge their commitment to reducing plastic waste through an interactive ESG installation, while selected participants receive eco-friendly tableware sets as part of the campaign’s launch activities.

The initiative builds on Kao and PARKnSHOP’s ongoing sustainability partnership, which previously introduced “Return. Recreate.”, described as Hong Kong’s first online recycling and upcycling programme.

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Ng joined AS Watson Group (ASW) in 2010 in a business planning role, and joined PARKnSHOP as chief operating officer in 2023. Prior to her appointment in PARKnSHOP, she was the chief digital officer of Watsons International and the chief customer and digital officer of Watsons Hong Kong.

Looking ahead, as the managing director of PARKnSHOP, Ng will continue to build upon the strong business foundation and deliver a seamless shopping experience to the customers in the supermarket’s portfolio of nearly 260 O+O stores. 

Dominic Lai, group managing director of AS Watson Group, commented, “Freda has been a valuable member of AS Watson for 14 years, excelling in various roles in business planning, customer experience, digital innovation and development. We’re very confident that Freda will lead PARKnSHOP in continuing the journey of transformation and take the business to new heights.”

He added, “I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Norman for his dedicated service in PARKnSHOP. During his tenure, PARKnSHOP successfully launched its online business and built the O+O (Offline plus Online) platform model, expanding its customer reach and adapting to the evolving digital landscape. We would like to extend our appreciation to Norman for his unwavering dedication and outstanding leadership and wish him a fulfilling retirement.” 

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