L’Oréal USA makes progress on its sustainability goals
NEW YORK — L’Oréal USA on Wednesday shared the progress it has made in its sustainability efforts, Sharing Beauty for All.
The achievements include 100% renewable electricity for its U.S. manufacturing, an 84% reduction in carbon emissions and a slashing its water usage 52%. Additionally, the company’s waste per finished product has been reduced by 43%, as it simultaneously makes improvements in package design.
The company said the progress has been made through large solar projects in Ark. and Ky., wind turbines in Texas and an eco-design tool used throughout the company to examine the environmental impact of a product’s life cycle. Worldwide, L’Oréal has reduced its carbon emissions by 67% from a 2005 baseline, which it achieved four years ahead of schedule at the same time as it increased production by 29%.
“We have achieved and even exceeded our target of a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions, four years ahead of schedule,” L’Oréal chairman and CEO Jean-Paul Agon said in the company’s 2016 progress report. “This is the result of an immense amount of work by all the teams concerned. It also sends out a strong signal: we are continuing to dissociate our growth from our environmental impact," he said. "While climate change is a major challenge, and we are already seeing its effects on the most vulnerable populations, our commitment is stronger than ever."
L’Oréal’s efforts have put sustainable product innovation front and center, pledging that all of its new or renovated products will have an improved social or environmental profile by 2020, having achieved this with 82% of its products as of 2016. It also is assessing the environmental impact of its products.
One product example of its efforts in sustainable innovation is the company’s Biolage R.A.W. hair care line, manufactured in Florence, Ky., which has a 100% recycled plastic bottle and uses a 98% biodegradable formula. Its Garnier Fructis and Pureology Pure Volume Conditioner, among others, also are manufactured with bottled using 50% recycled plastic.
Product innovations come as L’Oréal’s U.S. operations work to reduce the company’s carbon footprint — its North Little Rock, Ark. Plant has the third-largest commercial solar array and fourth-largest solar project in the state — and it works to reduce water use and waste. In addition to its Ark. Water use reduction of 82% from a 2005 baseline, all of its facilities achieved zero waste to landfill in 2016.
“As the worldwide leader in beauty, we have a responsibility to lead, and our efforts in 2016 demonstrate an unprecedented level of commitment,” L’Oréal chief sustainability officer Alexandra Palt said. “The progress made by our Sharing Beauty With All sustainability program reflects the innovative spirit that is hard at work at L'Oréal, especially in the United States. We remain committed to being a sustainability leader here and around the world, and look forward to exceeding our goals in the future.”