In order to improve recyclability and the reusable offering, the Group is gradually eliminating elements that interfere with recycling, such as certain opaque materials and metal components in plastics. For example, refills are available on the major ranges of plastic bottles.
These initiatives aim to maximise the use of existing packaging and encourage the adoption of circular economy principles in consumer habits.
L'Oréal works with its partners (governments, suppliers, distributor customers and consumers) to set up collection and recycling channels, particularly in countries where the relevant infrastructure remains underdeveloped.
The Group supports Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiatives that encourage companies to design more sustainable and recyclable products and packaging, while promoting efficient waste management systems.
Shaping the future of sustainable packaging with SPICE
Since 2017, the Group has used SPOT (see section 4.4.3.3) to assess products based on their packaging, formulas and production, thereby optimising their sustainability.
In 2018, in collaboration with the specialist environmental strategy firm Quantis, L'Oréal launched the Sustainable Packaging Initiative for CosmEtics (SPICE) initiative. This project aims to share research and results across the cosmetics industry, with a view to determining common methods for assessing the environmental footprint of packaging. L'Oréal shares its own SPOT packaging methodology through the SPICE initiative.
The www.Open-Spice.com platform is used to monitor research and results, as well as the upcoming work plan. The SPICE initiative now has more than 34 international members and promotes the sharing of best practices to boost sustainability in the cosmetics industry.
L'Oréal is accelerating the circularity of its formulas through three major actions:
L'Oréal is mobilising its entire value chain to reduce waste at source through:
