Now I do understand that nothing in life is simple, especially in manufacturing, where a supplier may have invested millions in bespoke production lines or contracts with external suppliers. However, it is possible to design more sustainable packaging for fillers, as I discussed in a recent interview with Claire Williams, who is the CEO and Founder of WOW Facial and Circa Skin Limited.
The conversation I had with Claire was wide-ranging about the many different things that she incorporates in her business to address sustainability issues, but for the purpose of this article, here is an extract of our discussion specifically around the dermal filler KYSENSE that she distributes via Circa Skin Ltd.
“So, with KYSENSE, we pack 4mls in one box, which means we have one set of instructions for use for 4mls. Whereas most companies will pack 1ml in one box, which means you have an ‘instructions for use’ for each syringe.
So, to put it into perspective, when we ship KYSENSE, our consignment comes on 24 pallets. The same amount of mls in a 1ml box would go on over 60 pallets. So, there is a huge reduction in the number of pallets that we are shipping. And then we never ship KYSENSE by air. It always comes by road and sea. The product is actually manufactured in Morocco.
Morocco is the largest supplier of solar energy. Forty percent of the energy that is used in Morocco comes from solar energy, which is really interesting. And they reckon by 2040, Morocco will be the largest exporter of renewable energy. So, it is a fantastic place to manufacture in terms of sustainability.
KYSENSE boxes are recyclable, but a lot of the filler companies use foil and plastic coating on their packaging that prevents it from being recyclable.
So KYSENSE is minimising storage space, minimising shipping space, and then having a recyclable box is really important whilst still looking nice.”
It was fascinating talking to Claire and hearing her enthusiasm for running a business whilst actively addressing sustainability issues that affect us all. Claire’s distribution company is tiny, compared to the behemoths that dominate the dermal filler market, but she still finds the time and energy to run her business in a way that reduces its impact on the environment.
We live in a world where our consumption of natural resources is causing devastating long-term consequences for ourselves and future generations.
Profit and shareholder returns are key drivers for many larger corporations that slow the pace of change towards operating more sustainable businesses.
If sustainability is important to you and your business, and your dermal filler supplier provides large 1ml non-recyclable boxes, each containing instructions for use that clog up your storage area and your non-recyclable bins – you know what to do!
Change will only come by raising the issue – so send a photograph of this article today to your dermal filler rep and/or ask them to contact me at ron@consultingroom.com, where I am more than happy to discuss sustainability issues with suppliers.
The aim is to try and bring companies together to solve these issues, which will help reduce costs and hopefully innovate better collaborative solutions that will benefit everyone.
If you would like to learn what clinic owners/practitioners and suppliers are doing in their own businesses to make changes that will resonate with their customers, or if you have any ideas that you would like to share, join the conversation at
“Sustainability in Aesthetics” Facebook Group.
