04.16.24
Ahead of Earth Day, the Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) reported that 71% of its packaging by weight is now recyclable, refillable, reusable, recycled, or recoverable.
According to Nancy Mahon, chief sustainability officer, the company has an opportunity to take its packaging innovation to a greater level by continuing to implement sustainability principles that allow it to create “elegant solutions” for its consumer while being mindful of the environment.
From its in-house R&D labs to packaging development teams, ELC says it is dedicated to creating products with a focus on sustainability and inclusivity.
Its packaging sustainability guidelines, introduced in 2020, provide a “roadmap,” the company said, emphasizing strategies including reducing packaging materials use, designing for reuse, and increasing recycled content. These guidelines, coupled with custom-developed tools and industry methodologies such as third-party reviewed life-cycle assessments, help integrate sustainability principles at the core of its packaging decisions.
Redefining the Prestige Packaging Experience
Through industry-leading collaborations and innovative solutions, ELC aims to set new standards for sustainability in the beauty industry.
For instance, its Aveda brand developed paper-based, locally recyclable sachets for product samples. Compared to its plastic predecessors, production of this sachet reduces water consumption by at least 36% and emits 37% fewer greenhouse gases, showcasing ELC’s dedication to meeting consumer needs through innovations.
Whether transitioning from plastic to glass packaging or offering refillable options, ELC’s portfolio of brands demonstrate that sustainability and luxury go hand-in-hand.
For example, Estée Lauder’s use of glass packaging to advance its luxury and sustainability design approach helped to drive the relaunch of its iconic Revitalizing Supreme+ Moisturizer Youth Power Creme, which now offers a refillable pod to help minimize packaging weight by 90%.
The company also participates in industry-wide initiatives and are members of global associations such as the Sustainable Packaging Initiative for Cosmetics. It says its committed to driving sustainable change not only within its organization, but across its broader value chain. Additionally, collaborations with suppliers like Eastman, a global specialty materials company and world leader in material-to-material molecular recycling technologies, help it incorporate advanced recycling technologies into post-consumer recycled (PCR) content used in its packages as a complementary solution to mechanical recycling.
“On our journey to drive sustainability in luxury packaging, it is crucial to understand the challenges we face in the industry and to create partnerships and collaborations with sustainability organizations, recyclers, and suppliers that expand our knowledge about our packaging materials and formats,” said Rob Peterson, senior vice president, global R&D and supply chain. “At ELC, we believe packaging enables new, agile and unique value propositions that can help advance sustainability solutions for our brands and for the personal care and cosmetics industries at large.”
Reducing Plastic Use and Waste Across Operations
ELC’s internal plastic guidelines help minimize virgin petroleum plastic and reduce nonrecyclable plastic across our packaging, products, and retail spaces. Company officials say exploring advanced recycling technologies underscores its commitment to tackling plastic waste head-on.
Moreover, at its offices and stores, ELC prioritizes recycling in alignment with local laws and infrastructure for responsible waste handling. Its manufacturing, distribution, and innovation sites also follow a common waste minimization hierarchy in which it prioritizes, prevents, reduces, reuses (including donates where appropriate), and recycles.