L’Oreal aims to improve environmental profile of packaging labels

Cosmetics giant L'Oreal Americas and self-adhesive label firm Avery Dennison are collaborating to identify and reduce the environmental impacts of packaging labels throughout the entire label lifecycle.


The French cosmetics giant is using Avery Dennison’s Greenprint (a screening lifecycle tool) to allow it to look at the impact of its label materials, including the raw material extraction and manufacturing process.

According to Avery Dennison, this approach is able to identify where the biggest environmental impacts lie and to devise strategies on how best to mitigate these impacts.

The collaboration has already produced a comprehensive Avery Dennison Greenprint assessment showing how thinner label materials can reduce environmental impacts.

The announcement forms part of L’Oreal’s sustainability pledge to improve the environmental profile of its packaging. The company unveiled a report entitled ‘Sharing Beauty with All’ in 2013 and committed to a number of sustainability targets.

Last year, it said that it was on the path to meeting its 2020 sustainability targets.

“We strongly believe in a sustainable supply chain, and this is ingrained in our business practices,” said L’Oreal Americas Packaging Hair assistant vice president David Wolbach.

He added: “However, to achieve the ultimate goal of reduced-impact materials, we cannot work alone. It is essential that all facets of the value chain – material suppliers, printers, consumers, and recyclers – collaborate together to establish a clear and transparent low-impact product stream globally.”

According to Avery Dennison, by switching from its Global Co-Ex film product to its Global MDO label, L’Oreal has reduced its environmental impact from 7% to 19% across the categories of fossil material, water use, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste.

Avery Dennison North America sustainability manager Rosalyn Bandy said: “L’Oreal’s leadership in improving the environmental profile of packaging is driving the value chain to work closer together.”

Liz Gyekye

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