L’Oréal leads major beauty players in collective sustainable packaging effort

24-May-2018 - Last updated on 24-May-2018 at 10:30 GMT

The new sustainability initiative is called SPICE: the Sustainable Packaging Initiative for CosmEtics.

The group has been cofounded by L’Oréal and environmental sustainability consulting firm Quantis, and includes 11 current members.

Avon Products is one member, and others include Clarins Group, Coty, L’Occitane en Provence, L’Oréal, LVMH, Shiseido, Sisley, as well as Cosmetic Valley (French “competitiveness cluster” for perfumes and cosmetics) and FEBEA (French Federation of Beauty Companies).

SPICE remains open to additional members. Cosmetics products manufacturers as well as cosmetics packaging suppliers can join the initiative as corporate members.

“These members will work together, guided by the sustainability experts at Quantis, to develop and publish business-oriented methodologies and data to support resilient decision making to improve the environmental performance of the entire packaging value chain,” SPICE explained in a statement on its launch.

“These developments will be the result of collective working sessions where members will share experience and knowledge for the benefit of the initiative and eventually to drive cosmetics packaging sustainability achievements on a grand scale.”

Why do we need SPICE?

SPICE members say they have joined together to work towards a common goal: to collectively shape the future of sustainable packaging.

“Many actors in the cosmetics industry are increasing their level of commitment to work towards a sustainable future for beauty,” they explain.

“These leaders are taking measures to progress on their path to sustainability as responsible companies, and to willingly respond to the increasing number of consumers, investors and other stakeholders who want to know more about the environmental performance of products on the market.”

Packaging is a key focus for SPICE, and the group also aims to promote real transparency of supply chains.

“Packaging is a visible reminder that products have an impact on the environment,” they confirm.

“These stakeholder groups expect transparency - facts and metrics - to understand if cosmetics brands are making commitments and to learn how they plan on achieving these targets to reduce impacts on the environment.”