In celebration of Earth Day, L'Oreal has announced its long-term environmental plan for 2005 to 2015, which includes greater reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water consumption and waste.Over the past year, the cosmetic company has reduced total CO2 emissions by 6.6 percent, (11.5 percent less than in 2005), reduced water use per finished product by 3.8 percent (down 13 percent since 2005), and reduced waste per finished product by 0.5 percent (down 10.1 percent since 2005) while increasing its recycling rate to 95 percent.
The new 2015 targets set the environmental performance bar higher at L'Oreal's factories and warehouses. The cosmetic company's goals include reducing its GHG emissions, water use per unit of finished product, and waste generated per unit, all by 50 percent.
In 2005, the cosmetic company's total CO2 emissions were 230.3 thousand tons, water consumption was 0.72 liter per finished product, and the waste generated per unit of finished product was of 32.2 grams.
Other cosmetic companies also are helping to reduce landfill waste.
As an example, Origins recently announced a recycling program that accepts all empty cosmetic containers regardless of brand at its retail stores and department store counters across the country.
Last year, the big brand cosmetic companies including Aveda, Estee Lauder, L'Oreal, and Origins, embraced the first organic standard for the U.S. beauty and personal care market.
