L'Oréal
Packaging producers and users
Key Metrics
Plastic packaging weight
137,609 metric tonnes
Total and/or virgin plastic packaging reduction target
33% virgin reduction compared to 2019
Reusable plastic packaging
Reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic packaging
100
75
50
25
%
Post-consumer recycled content
100
75
50
25
%
* Aligned: in assessing the recyclability of their portfolio this signatory has aligned with the New Plastics Economy 2021 Recycling Rate Survey results and/or the Global Commitment methodology of recyclability ‘in pratice and at scale’. This means their recyclability percentage is comparable to other signatories that also aligned with the above.
Company Details
Description
L’Oréal has devoted itself to Beauty for over 100 years with its unique international portfolio of 39 diverse and complementary brands. As the world’s leading beauty company, L’Oréal is present across all continents, offering products mainly in plastic packaging but also glass, cardboard & metal.
Website
Revenue band (USD)
$500 million - $1 billion
Headquarters location
France
Regions active
Africa: Eastern Africa, Middle Africa, Northern Africa, Southern Africa, Western Africa
America: Caribbean, Central America, Northern America, South America
Asia: Eastern Asia, Central Asia, South-eastern Asia, Southern Asia, Western Asia
Europe: Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Western Europe
Oceania: Australia and New Zealand, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia
Products sold in plastic packaging
Cosmetics & personal care
Reporting details
Data verification/assurance status
Third-party verification or assurance process in place for some of the data (see endnotes for more information)
Scope of reported data
Covers full scope of activities
12-month quantitative data time frame
From December 2019 to December 2020
Joined the Global Commitment
October 2018
Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Plastics Pact Network membership (as of 18/05/2021)
France, United States
Webpage or report addressing progress
https://www.loreal.com/en/commitments-and-responsibilities
Plastic packaging portfolio details
See endnotes for more information on quantitative data
Plastic packaging weight (new packaging)
137,609 metric tonnes
Reused plastic packaging weight
1,127 metric tonnes
Plastic packaging categories in portfolio
Type | Category | Proportion |
---|
Rigids | PET bottle | 30.7% |
Other PET rigids | 2.9% | |
HDPE bottles | 19.2% | |
HDPE other rigids | 1.2% | |
PP bottles | 6.5% | |
PP other rigids | 8.7% | |
PE tubes | 5.6% | |
PS rigids | 0.2% |
Flexible | <A4 flexibles PE | 2.6% |
<A4 flexibles PP | 0.2% |
Other | Some L'OREAL packaging's contain other plastics than PET/PP/PE like ABS, SAN or PETG. | 22.2% |
Plastic packaging design assessment
Reusable, recyclable and/or compostable
41.7%
Reusable
1%
Recyclable
40.7%
Compostable
0%
Material sourcing
Virgin fossil-based content
84.2%
Post-consumer recycled content
15.8%
Pre-consumer recycled content
0%
Virgin renewable content
0%
Link to other published data
http://www.loreal.com/en/articles/sharing-beauty-with-all/plastic-packaging-policy/
Commitments
Plastic and/or virgin plastic packaging reduction target
2025 target
33% virgin reduction compared to 2019
Plastic packaging weight baseline
120,649 metric tonnes - same scope as the reporting scope
Additional information about the target
L'OREAL Global Commitment to reduce by 33% its use of virgin plastic based on 2019 represents 39 814 tonnes of plastics.
The 2019 base line of 120 649 tonnes corresponds to the weight of our plastic packaging (pack containing more than 50% plastic) but it is important to note that L'OREAL total plastic weight (all plastic) in 2019 was 137 280 tonnes.
Eliminating problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging
Progress made over the reporting period
Examples of materials / formats / components eliminated or reduced
Proportion eliminated % of weight | Weight eliminated metric tonnes | Quantity eliminated units | Primary means of elimination | Other details | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Other material | 18 | 226 | - | Lightweighting | Sachet colo Black Natural light weighting & size reduction |
Other material | 15 | 58 | - | Lightweighting | Lighweighing Roll on antiperspirants PP bottle (All Divisions) |
Metallised films | 30 | 45.3 | - | Substitution to another plastic | Replace Elseve shampoo metallized labels by non-metallized labels |
Other material | 18 | 27 | - | Lightweighting | Lightweighing L’Oréal Men Expert tubes PE |
Other material | 18 | 12 | - | Lightweighting | Lightweighing L’Oréal Paris Studio line tube |
Other material | 3.7 | 3.5 | - | Lightweighting | Lightweight PP jar ABB Dark & Lovely relaxer |
Other material | 48 | 1.9 | - | Substitution to paper | Reduction of plastic by replacement with cardboard in tube – La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF30 and SPF50 250ml SPF30 |
Other material | 52 | 0.8 | - | Substitution to paper | Reduction of plastic by replacement with cardboard in tube – Vichy Capital soleil Ecomilk 75ml |
Rigids B2C - household/personal products bottles | - | 82 | 1,500,000 | Innovative elimination | Avoid liquid shampoo by purchasing solid shampoo ultra Doux |
Film B2C - mono-material, clear | - | 53 | 62,000,000 | Direct elimination | Cello elimination OAP Skin Europe |
Film B2C - mono-material, clear | - | 20 | 25,000,000 | Direct elimination | Elimination cellophane on Hair product Majirel |
Rigids B2C - household/personal products bottles | - | 16.5 | 462,760 | Reuse 'refill' model | Replace a 400 ml bottle by a 400ml refill chez La Roche Posay (2 references Lipikar & 1 reference Effaclar) |
Rigids B2C - household/personal products bottles | - | 12 | 124,960 | Reuse 'refill' model | Replace four 250ml bottles Crème de Corps Kiehl’s by a 1l Doypack |
Film B2C - other (opaque, printed, multi-material) | - | 5.7 | 1,515,733 | Direct elimination | Elimination Sachet Armani classic |
Film B2C - mono-material, clear | - | 0.7 | 350,969 | Direct elimination | Cellophane elimination on Biotherm Blue Therapy |
Other component | 100 | 17.3 | 1,159,265 | Substitution to paper | Replace plastic vacform by paper vacform on Lancome gift set |
Other component | 100 | 15 | 2,727,273 | Direct elimination | Elimination PP plastic brush in Frank Provost & Garnier Color Sensational kits |
Other component | 100 | 4.2 | 137,592 | Substitution to paper | Replace plastic vacform by paper vacform on YSL, Valentino gift set |
Other component | 100 | 3.7 | 1,159,265 | Direct elimination | Removing plastic window on gift set Lancome |
Activities and progress made on elimination
L’OREAL is actively engaged in:
- Lightweighting its packaging whenever possible (Plastic weight reduction in 2020= 29t PE, 11t PET, 53t PP)
- Developing the use of refills (Armani Crema Nera Face cream refillable jar, Shu Uemura eye shadow refillable compact)
- Launching pouches (ex: Pouch Kiehl’s, la Roche Posay)
- Reducing sorting disruptors (ex: Reno Elseve w/o metallized labels)
- Developing innovative products to limit the use of plastic (ex: solid shampoo)
- Using alternative material to plastic (ex: tube made with carton)
Planned actions by 2025
Plastic packaging to be eliminated or reduced
Proportion eliminated % of weight | Weight eliminated metric tonnes | Quantity eliminated | Year Achieved | Other details | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Film B2B - e.g. pallet wrap | 10-25% | - | - | 2025 | Replacement of film by cardboard corners, use of straps vs film, storage of empty pallets w/o film |
Film B2C - other (opaque, printed, multi-material) | >50% | - | - | 2025 | Pouches/Sachets to be made of monomaterial (PE, PP) with recycling barrier (SioX, Alox, EVOH) |
Metallised films | 25-50% | - | - | 2025 | Partial metallization to be allowed if the pack remains detectable in sorting plant |
Multilayer materials | >50% | - | - | 2025 | Plastic tubes to be full PE (development of PE cap to fit PE sleeve) |
Other: CGF - Golden rule #1 -PET bottles & jars | - | - | - | - | The weight of PET packaging is equal to 46197 tonnes in 2020 (CGF Golden Rule # 1), mainly bottles (42258 tonnes) and jars(3939 tonnes). Today L'OREAL reporting system does not calculate the ratio of uncoloured or transparent blue/green PET packaging’s nor evaluate the PET pack disruptors in terms of adhesive or label size. This will be assessed moving forward. |
PETG in rigid plastic packaging | 100% | 4.5 | 3,000,000 | 2025 | Sleeve on aerosol PET to be switched to another material (CGF Golden rule #2) |
Plastic windows (in cardboard boxes) | 100% | - | - | 2025 | - |
PS | 100% | 229 | - | 2025 | PS elimination in L’OREAL packaging’s by 2025 (CGF Golden rule #2) Example of packs containing PS – Lip balms |
Rigids B2C - household/personal products bottles | 10-25% | - | - | 2025 | Replacement / refilling of bottles by pouches |
Rigids B2C - other (e.g. pots, tubs and trays) | 10-25% | - | - | 2025 | Use of refills in jars |
Undetectable carbon black | 100% | - | - | 2025 | Undetected carbon black elimination in L'OREAL packaging’s by 2025 (CGF Golden rule #2). Examples of Packs containing carbon black – Pressed powder compact, tubes, jars |
Planned actions on elimination
L’OREAL has an ambitious strategy, L4TF, to minimize its footprint on the environment with specific goals:
- All packaging to be eco conceived by 2030,
- to be 100% recyclable, reusable & compostable by 2025,
- to be 50% fossil free plastic by 2025 & 100% fossil free plastic by 2030 (use of recycled or bio sourced plastic)
- to reduce by 20% the quantity of packaging in intensity (g/g) vs 2019
More specifically, L’OREAL plans to:
- Pursue the weight reduction of its packaging’s - lighter caps on tubes, lighter bottles.
- Develop packaging with alternative materials (glass, paper)
- Develop reuse models, large size pouches to refill small size bottles.
- Launch mono-material sachets
- Develop recyclable pumps w/o metal parts, recyclable tubes
- Reduce metallised labels, caps to improve packaging sorting rates
- Reduce the use of SAN & ABS
- Eliminate unnecessary components, carbon black, PETG, & PS
NB: there is no EPS,PVC,PVDC or oxodegradable elements in L’OREAL packs
Moving from single-use towards reuse models
Progress made over the reporting period
Share of plastic packaging that is reusable (2020)
Availability of reuse models today
Recent or in-progress pilots of reuse models for new products or packaging, Reuse models in place for consumer facing products or packaging
Product line(s) with reuse model(s): 4 (29% of total) (see endonotes for more information)
Market(s) where reuse models are available today: Eastern Africa, Middle Africa, Northern Africa, Southern Africa, Western Africa, Caribbean, Central America, Northern America, South America, Eastern Asia, Central Asia, South-eastern Asia, Southern Asia, Western Asia, Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia (100% of total)
Product applications and reuse model types
Reuse model types | Markets | Other details | |
---|---|---|---|
Cosmetics & personal care | Refill on the go, Refill at home | Worldwide | Face creams, Serums, Body creams, Shower gels, Shampoo, Hair conditioners, Make up pressed eye shadows, Cushions |
Pilots launched
17
Activities and progress made on reuse
L’OREAL 4 divisions are working on reuse model solutions for plastic, glass & metal with refill at home & refill on the go initiatives. We already launched in various markets worldwide Refills for jars, bottles, compacts & Pouches to refill bottles. We plan to expand the refill concept across more lines of products, but we also need to be aware that all formats do not match re-usable concept for user’s convenience. Projects are in the pipe to refill deodorant, perfume, lipstick & mascara. Furthermore, several of our brands implemented return from home models with Terracycle (example: Lancôme Skincare, make up & perfume packaging in store collect in China, Vichy empty products collect in pharmacies in Austria) and these initiatives will expand in the coming years.
Planned action by 2025
Product applications and reuse model types to be introduced or expanded
Reuse model types | Markets | Other details | |
---|---|---|---|
Cosmetics & personal care | Refill on the go, Refill at home, Return on the go, Return from home | worldwide | Shower gel, Shampoo, Conditioner, Body lotion, Face cream & serum, Make-up Eye shadow & blush, Cushion, Deodorants, Mascara, Lipstick, Liners, Dispensers |
Other 2025 reuse goals
Piloting reuse models for new products or packaging: 57 pilots
Introducing or expanding reuse models for consumer facing products/packaging
Implementing reuse models across a minimum number of product lines: 8 product lines (57% of total)
See endnotes for more information on the above target(s)
Planned actions on reuse
Many L’OREAL product lines will offer reusable models by 2025 (Shower gel, Shampoo, Conditioner, Body lotion, Face cream & serum, Make-up Eye shadow & blush, Deodorant, Mascara, Lipstick). Projects are underway with our four Divisions to offer to consumers new possibilities to refill their products at home and on the go. We recently launched L’Oréal Paris Elvive conditioner pouches in the UK and Maybelline Fit me pouch in the US. Additional reuse projects are happening with glass material packaging. Many fragrances can be refilled in store thanks to a fountain (Mugler range, Lancôme Idôle, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb) or with the purchase of individual refills (Armani My way, Acqua di Gio). These examples are not in the scope of this report.
100% reusable, recyclable and/or compostable plastic packaging
Progress made over the reporting period
Share of plastic packaging that is reusable, recyclable or compostable (2020)
Actions and progress made to make packaging recyclable or compostable (see previous section for progress on shifting to reusable packaging)
L’OREAL will increase the recyclability of its packaging by eliminating the presence of recycling disruptors. We actively interact with Recyclass & APR to best understand & apply their recommendations in our packaging conceptions. Results are starting to show in our KPI with a significative jump from 32 to 40.7% of recyclable packaging in our catalogue. A task force has been set up to develop recyclable flexibles worldwide. We also develop a close partnership with our suppliers to build an ambitious and fast pace common road map. In parallel, we created a specific BI to extract sustainable data to identify our challenges, prioritize our actions & monitor our progresses & performances.
Actions and progress made on collaborating towards increasing recycling and composting rates for plastic packaging
When recycling streams do not exist, L’Oréal promotes specific collection & recycling actions. Many brands (Lancôme, Maybelline, Armani, Nyx, YSL…) have initiated actions with Terracycle worldwide (France, US, Canada, Japan, Australia…). L’Oréal also encourages consumers to sort their waste by collaborating closely with eco organisms like Citeo in France and by communicating proper sorting instructions on its packaging’s & associated brand websites.
Additional details on recyclability
Share of plastic packaging that is recyclable (2020)
Alignment with the New Plastics Economy 2021 Recycling Rate Survey results
Yes
Optional metric — share of plastic packaging that is ‘designed for recycling’
49.8 % (see endnotes for more information on the packaging considered as designed for recycling)
Please note: This optional metric is not the same as the percentage of recyclable plastic packaging contributing towards the 100% target. More information on the Global Commitment recyclability definition can be found in the 2021 Progress Report.
Planned actions by 2025
2025 target
100% reusable, recyclable or compostable
Planned actions to make packaging recyclable or compostable
L’OREAL is monitoring its % of recyclable plastic PE/PET/PP and investigating ways to replace SAN, ABS, PETG… by recyclable plastic whenever technically possible Recycling packaging disruptors are being analysed within each brand and action plans set up to remove or minimize them (reduction of metalized labels, elimination of foil barrier…). Focus was primarily on formats with recycling streams in practise & at scale (like bottle in PE& PP). The next step is to address all formats (sachet, tube, PET aerosol, pumps, small packs like mascara..) and task forces have been set up to tackle these topics. Regarding compostability, we are in the mist of evaluating new PLA/PHA materials to assess their industrial & at home composting performances.
Planned actions on collaborating towards increasing recycling and composting rates for plastic packaging
To contribute to waste management L’OREAL’s ambition is to promote efficient recycling for a virgin-like recycling. The group is investing in different companies as Carbios (PET enzymatic recycling) and Purecycle (PP chemical recycling). Last month (June 2021), Carbios communicated having successfully produced PET bottles from enzymatic recycled PET. Biotherm will partner with Carbios to launch such bottles at industrial scale as of 2025.
Increasing post-consumer recycled content in plastic packaging
Progress made over the reporting period
Level of post-consumer recycled content in plastic packaging (2020)
Activities and progress made on post-consumer recycled content
L’OREAL is actively engaged in developing PCR sourcing for plastic and glass & metal. PCR represented 6.9% of L’OREAL total plastic tonnage in 2019 & 15.1% in 2020 (split in 54.8% rPET, 7.2% rPE & 4.1% rPP). It also represents 7.1% of L'OREAL plastic packaging in 2019 & 15.8% in 2020. These percentages are based on the following figures: L’OREAL total plastic weight = 137280 tonnes in 2019 & 154584 tonnes in 2020 All brands in L'OREAL four Division are actively engaged in increased the use of PCR in their portfolio. Examples of launches in 2020:
- Bottles with 100% PCR PET: Kiehl’s calendula toner; Vichy Eau micellaire; Sanoflore Aqua magnifica; Biotherm Biosource; Elseve low shampoo
- Bottles with 100% PCR HDPE: L’Oreal Paris Elseve in China; Garnier Whole blends
- Bottle with 95% PCR HDPE: Matrix bleach finder
- Tubes with PCR PE: Mizani Miracle cream – 53% PCR; Biolage – 30% PCR; Cerave Foot cream – 45% PCR
- Gloss with 100% PCR PET: Maybelline Sensational
Planned actions by 2025
2025 post-consumer recycled content target
50%
Planned actions to increase post-consumer recycled content
L’OREAL’s goal is to use 50% fossil free plastic in 2025, 100% in 2030 and all brands are actively engaged to reach these targets. Multiple projects are in place with our four Divisions: to include & increase the % of PCR in PET & PE bottles, PET jar, PP bottles & PE tubes. In parallel, L’OREAL is investing in Carbios to help to increase PET recycled content supply worldwide by enzymatic recycling. L’OREAL has announced on June 24th, 2021 the realization with the brand Biotherm of the first cosmetic PET bottle made with the enzymatic technology from Carbios. The group has also an agreement with Purecycle to produce chemical recycled PP and an agreement was signed with Lanzatech & Total with whom we are developing a cosmetic PE bottle made of recycled industrial carbon emissions. By the end of 2030, 100% de L’OREAL plastic packaging will be fossil free (either post-consumer plastic or biosourced).
Investments
Total invested/committed over the reporting period towards achieving the commitments
Submitted to the Foundation only
Additional details on investments
For reference, please find herewith a detail of our total plastic weight & total plastic packaging weight (> 50%) for 2019 & 2020: L’OREAL total plastic weight = 137280 tonnes in 2019 & 154584 tonnes in 2020 L’OREAL total plastic packaging weight (pack with plastic weight > 50%) = 129870 tonnes in 2019 & 137609 tonnes in 2020 These data represent the full scope of our portfolio with the exception of recent acquisitions which get reported as soon as the data become available.
End notes
Third-party verification/assurance
External CAC (ie Commissaires aux Comptes = External Auditors) audit process of reporting, at end of each reported year for the L’Oréal Progress Report Deloitte is used as an independent 3rd party & Pricewaterhousecoopers on the audit part.
Interpreting the quantitative data submitted
The total qqty of plastic packaging has progressed from 129870 to 137609 tonnes (+ 7.7tonnes, 6% increase). This is mainly due to the increase of production of Shampoo bottles Elseve & Fructis & Colo kit (2/3, 1/3).
Plastic packaging designed for recycling
We used PRE (Plastics Recycler Europe) /Recyclass guidelines to assess the design for recycling of our packaging’s. Formats entitled to Design for recycling are mainly sachets PE/PP <A4, tubes PE & Jars PP.
Product line definition
For product line(s) with available reuse model(s): The plastic product lines are product formats: bottle, dye kit, jar, tube, mascara/gloss, compact, lipstick, sachet, cosmetic on support, dispensers, pencil, aerosol, assembly pack, other. In 2020 we launched - refillable jars with a cupule (2) – Lancome Absolue Cream, Armani Crema Nera - refillable make up compacts (4) – Shue Uemura Face color compact, Maybelline Fit me Dexy Smooth cushion, L’Oréal Paris Le cushion, Shu Uemura pressed eye shadow - bottles with refill (2) – YSL Pure Shots, L’Oréal Paris Pro Rétinol Serum, - Pouches (9) – Cadum gel corps& cheveux, Cadum creme douche surgras, Cadum gel douche dermo-respect, Kiehl’s creme de corps, Kiehl’s Amino acide conditionner, La Roche Posay huile lavante, La Roche Posay Lipikar, La Roche Posay Effaclar, Garnier Ultra doux shampoo
For product line(s) with reuse model(s) to be introduced or expanded: Bottle, mascara/gloss, compact, lipstick, jar, sachet, Dispenser, Pencil