Great news! Today, LOréal Paris announced its latest sustainability program, “LOreal For the Future, Because our Planet is Worth it”.
The program which aims to reduce the brand’s carbon footprint by 50% per finished product. 10 million Euros will be donated to environmental projects where beneficiaries are communities of women around the world.
Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, LOreal’s Global Brand President said that now is the time to reconcile innovation, sustainability and progress, to make the shift to a circular economy and to reduce the impact of products. “We are not starting from scratch. Between 2005 and 2020, our factories and distribution centres have already reduced CO2 emissions by 82%, water consumption by 44%, and waste generation by 35%.”
Here are some of the plans that LOreal is setting in place to reach their sustainability goal:
Reducing the weight of products
To help conserve natural resources and reduce the carbon footprint of products, the brand is working to reduce the weight of packaging. One example is The L’Oréal Parus Men Expert Protect Aerosol, which uses aluminium packaging. The weight was reduced by -5.1 grams per bottle, which represents 135 tons of aluminium saved annually. By reducing the weight of the Revitalift jar, the brand has also reduced the use of glass for this product by 11 grams per jar. This saves 434 tons of glass annually which proves that small changes make a big difference.
By 2030, they plan to reduce their carbon foot print by 20% in intensity the quantity of packaging.
Using 100% recycled plastic
LOreal plans to keep materials in use for as long as possible. By optimizing packaging recyclability, they strive to conserve resources and prevent plastic pollution. This includes using more recycled content in packaging, with the objective of reaching 100% recycled or biobased plastic by 2030 (or 0 virgin plastic).
Embodying change: Elvive
The iconic L’Oréal Paris haircare range, Elvive, was majorly transformed in 20o2 by targeting 100% recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) for shampoo and conditioner bottles in Europe.
Engaging consumers
L’Oréal will join the LOOP initiative and take part in a project to trial new types of durable packaging. The new shampoo and conditioner packaging will be made of aluminium and will be sold with deposit info on their website. After using the products, consumers will be able to return the packaging to the retailer that will collect and return the packaging to L’Oréal Paris for cleaning and refining. How cool?!
Improving formulas
To reduce its environmental impact, the brand is improving the biodegradability of their formulas and reducing their water footprint. Among the products launched in 2019, Elvive Full Resist Power Mask and Men Expert Shaving Barber Club Crème de Rasage have levels of biodegradability exceeding 94% (97% and 94% respectively).
They have developed new formulas and beauty routines that require less water and rinsing steps. This includes 2-in-1 treatments and no-rinse products.
Producing sustainably
L’Oréal Paris factories continue their ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions, water consumption and waste generation. Between 2005 and 2020, L’Oréal Paris factories and distribution centres have reduced CO2 emissions by 82%, water consumption by 44%, and waste generation by 35%.
LOreal products are currently manufactured in 26 factories around the world. Eleven of them are already carbon neutral (using 100% renewable energy, without offsetting) and the rest will reach this goal in 2025.
Investing in environmental projects through programs that empower women
As women are the primary victims of climate change, LOreal Paris will invest €10 million in a series of 6 carbon projects whose beneficiaries are communities of women around the world. Leadership roles that include and support women are being prioritised, and in Honduras, where local indigenous communities protect and restore mangroves, the brand will support a project managed and supported by women.
What do you think of LOreal’s new sustainability program? It’s great to see big brands prioritising sustainability. Drop you thoughts in the comment section below or email me directly to robyn@bewhole.co.za
