Prestige beauty company Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) announced today the launch of a series of new sustainable packaging targets, targeting increased use of recycled materials and reductions in the utilization of virgin plastic.
The new targets were announced with the release of “Beauty Inspired, Values Driven,” the company’s 2021 socialSocial criteria examine how it manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, and the communities where it operates. impact and sustainability report, outlining ELC’s progress in its sustainability and ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. initiatives.
Among the sustainability accomplishments detailed in the report were the achievement of the company’s goal to reach 15% post-consumer recycled (PCR) material in its packaging. ELC had originally targeted reaching the 15% PCR level in 2025.
Having surpassed its goal, ELC set a new 2025 goal to reach 25% PCR in its packaging. Additionally, the company added a target to reduce the use of virgin petroleum plastic in its packaging to 50% or less by 2030.
The new targets follow a number of sustainable packaging initiatives launched by the company over the past few months. In March 2021, for example, ELC announced a partnership with specialty materials company Eastman, aimed at incorporating Eastman’s newly developed line of molecularly recycled polyesters, using 100% recycled content. In September, ELC announced that it is working with materials molding technologies company Roctool to develop and implement sustainable packaging solutions for its products, significantly reducing waste.
Other sustainability highlights from the report include reaching 59% scope 1 and 2 emissions reductions, compared to a 2018 base, surpassing the company’s 50% 2030 goal, responsible sourcing initiatives including developing biodiversity and socialSocial criteria examine how it manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, and the communities where it operates. action plans for identified key ingredients, and having 95% of the company’s brands supporting at least one socialSocial criteria examine how it manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, and the communities where it operates. or environmentalEnvironmental criteria consider how a company performs as a steward of nature. cause.
ELC also announced a set of gender equality commitments, including a goal to achieve gender pay equity by 2023 and to globally increase representation of women from underrepresented groups.
Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies, said:
“Despite the pandemic, we remained steadfast in prioritizing the health and wellbeing of our employees, consumers, and communities around the world, while delivering on our long-term commitments. Doubling down on our socialSocial criteria examine how it manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, and the communities where it operates. impact and sustainability strategy is an important part of our goal to continue delivering long-term value and remain the global leader of prestige beauty.”
Nancy Mahon, Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability, The Estée Lauder Companies, added:
“In fiscal 2021, we worked hard to continue developing long-term solutions to help protect our planet, drive inclusion and equity, and put people at the heart of everything we do—all while meeting our business objectives. While we’ve made great progress, we know there is more collective action needed to help address ongoing and new challenges in the next decade.”
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