Mathias, why does BIC choose to put its world launch of bamboo handle razors in Sweden?
Sweden is far ahead in sustainability. Consumers here care about sustainability when they choose products. At the same time they are critical so Sweden is also a good pressure test. BIC has a strong position in the country, which also makes it easier to measure the results.

How will BIC develop its other range from a sustainability perspective in the future?
We have been on a sustainability journey for 15 years. We review the entire production and energy use. We minimize waste and plan our transport. By 2030, 50% of the plastic in our products will be recycled. By 2025, 100% of packaging will consist of recycled material that is recyclable or compostable. We also have a goal to look at alternative materials, of which BIC Bamboo is a first result.
Sustainability also has an economic and social dimension. We have a program which aims by 2025 to promote sustainable innovation in BIC's products; mitigate climate change by aiming for 80% renewable electricity use, zero vision for accidents at work and to involve suppliers for best/sustainable sourcing. We also actively work to improve people's lives through education, in particular by improving educational conditions for children globally. Our local contribution to this is that we collaborate and support the Rescue Mission in Gothenburg in their fantastic work to start schools in vulnerable areas.

What are your lessons learned and what advice would you like to give others to succeed in their sustainability work?
It is important to set clear goals and also intermediate goals to see that you are on the right track in sustainability work. You must dare to try and be allowed to fail. Sometimes the timing is not right, then you must not give up but modify and try again at a later date. You have to look at the whole chain - raw materials, transportation, production, sales - and not just focus on the product. In addition to the choice of materials, other aspects come into play, such as good working conditions, production, energy consumption, transportation and packaging. It is also important to involve all employees so that we are moving in the same direction.
It is not enough to have one or two experts in the organization. Everyone needs to know our sustainability goals and how they can best contribute to achieving them. We also need to think about our responsibility to consumers, who are quite limited in their ability to see the bigger picture. They need to be able to trust that not only do we have products that are sustainable, but that they have been produced under sustainable conditions.