BIC_REGISTRATION_DOCUMENT_2017

OUR ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND SOCIETAL RESPONSIBILITY Responsibility concerning our products

Priority #2: Reducing the quantity of packaging per product sold BIC Group actively seeks to reduce the weight and volume of its packaging through multiple targeted actions around the world in accordance with local distribution models. For example, in the U.S. in 2017, BIC continued its participation in Walmart’s “Packaging Scorecard” program, which puts the focus on seven “Rs” for progress: Remove, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Renew (use renewable materials), Revenue (look for savings), and Read (educate consumers). In Brazil, following a study to optimize the placement of blister packs in cardboard boxes, BIC® 3 and BIC® Comfort 3® shavers have been sold in blisters of eight since Q1 2017. Compared with hanging cards of 12 blisters of two, this makes it possible to reduce the packaging per unit sold by 40% for BIC® 3 and 47% for BIC® Comfort 3® shavers. The packaging center in Charlotte (U.S.) has reduced the weight of its plastic pouches for certain shavers by 12.5% as well as the cardboard packaging for certain writing instruments. Another example: the ready-to-use lighter trays no longer use inners, thus reducing the weight of the packaging. In addition, for North America and Oceania, the BIC® Soleil line packaging has been optimized for better visibility on the shelf while reducing the quantity of plastic. This modification has made it possible to reduce the use of plastic by 20% and optimize shipping costs and the related CO 2 emissions (by about 15%). In Europe, in 2017 the Sered packaging site in Slovakia eliminated some inners, increasing the capacity of its blister packs from 20 to 30 products per outer. Priority #3: Reducing packaging waste The Group is taking action to increase the recycling rate of packaging production waste in the packaging center facilities. The Charlotte site in the U.S. has already reached the program’s goal of 100% waste recycling. The site is now focusing on the reduction of waste due to packaging obsolescence. As a result, 60% of the site’s blister packs, instead of being prefabricated, are now manufactured directly on the production lines, thus reducing production and packaging waste for the shipping of blister packs. This result has been achieved through packaging design and working with suppliers to minimize waste and provide outlets for recycling paperboard and plastic packaging components; and lastly by using non-recyclable waste for energy recuperation. Lastly, the “Packaging Community” seeks to reduce the amount of waste generated by the destruction of stocks of obsolete packaging.

In Europe, a complete redesign of displays has reduced the quantity of waste from product separators by half (for a saving of 1.1 tons of cardboard). In Australia, since 2013, BIC has been a member of the Australian Packaging Covenant (APC), a governmental initiative to promote the development of more sustainable packaging systems, increase recycling and reduce packaging waste – three priorities shared by BIC Group. BIC Australia has defined several goals in this area. Performance ♦

94.88%

94.02%

90.44%

88.50%

83.46%

82.43%

2017

2015

2016

Percentage of plastic packaging that is PVC-free Percentage of cardboard packaging from certified and/or recycled sources

These indicators cover all packaged BIC® products delivered to the Group’s customers all over the world (except pallets): consumer packaging (pouch, blister, cardboard box), outer/inner, shrink-wrap, displays, etc. It is calculated on material weight. Perspectives ♦ BIC will pursue its programs to reduce the amount of materials used in its product packaging as well as the packaging waste generated by its factories. The Charlotte packaging center will continue to reduce packaging obsolescence by increasing the share of blister packs manufactured directly on the production lines by 80%.

(1) Cello Pens excluded

63

BIC GROUP - 2017 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT