L’Oréal USA has announced that two products from its Biolage RAW line have been certified by Cradle to Cradle, an independent third-party programme honouring products and materials that are sustainable and developed to respect human and environmental health.
The Biolage RAW Nourish Shampoo and Conditioner were awarded Silver certification – the third highest grade possible – by the programme after an evaluation of factors including material re-utilisation, renewable energy and carbon management and social fairness.
The products use naturally derived ingredients to condition and cleanse hair, while the bottles are made from 100% post-recycled PET plastic in a demonstration of L’Oréal's commitment to material reutilisation, according to the company.
Jonathan Maher, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability for L’Oréal USA, said: “We are extremely proud of this Cradle to Cradle certification because it exemplifies how our Sharing Beauty With All sustainability program encompasses every aspect of our product’s value chain, from formulation to packaging and production.
“Through L’Oréal’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, we have been able to create a product line that truly combines our commitments to high performance hair care and environmental stewardship."
As well as product ingredients and packaging, the Cradle to Cradle certification also assessed the environmental impact of L’Oréal’s manufacturing process at its plant in Kentucky, US.
The facility achieved 100% renewable electricity at the end of 2016, due to a combination of locally sourced renewable energy certificates and the ongoing development of its solar energy system.
Lewis Perkins, President of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, added: “A growing number of companies are relying on the Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard to verify the material health and positive impact of the products they create.
“We are delighted to see highly recognisable brands like L’Oréal use their leadership to demonstrate the value of Cradle to Cradle Certified in innovating and making products with a positive future in mind.”
The certification is part of L’Oréal’s global Sharing Beauty With All sustainability programme, which pledges that 100% of its products will have an environmental or social benefit by 2020.
Cosmetics Business recently spoke to Biolage's Nour Tayara, who revealed how the initiative has impacted life at L’Oréal including challenging employees to be more sustainable in the office.
