In a bid to make the beauty industry more sustainable and eco-friendly, L’Oréal Paris has partnered with global packaging firm Albéa to launch the first products wrapped in paper-based tubes.
Used as packaging for the Anthelios sunscreen body lotion, from L’Oreal brand La Roche-Posay, the tubes use 45% less plastic and are made from bio-based and FSC-certified cardboard.
They’re obviously not entirely free from plastic, but the two brands have said the launch represent their commitments to protecting marine life and the environment going forward.
The partnership is said to be working on a number of similar product lines and packaging ideas due for release over the coming months and years.
SUSTAINABLE BEAUTY
Beauty Kitchen recently announced plans to install 1,000 beauty refill stations.
These will resemble vending machines and have touchscreens where customers can choose beauty products.
Over the next two years, customers will be able to refill their beauty bottles, rather than throwing them away.
L’Oréal and Albéa first announced their collaboration last year and the paper-based tubes are said to have been produced in “record time.”
The new moisturising sunscreen tubes are launching in L’Oreal’s home base of France before being made available globally.
“The development of this cosmetic tube is the first step, achieved in record time, of future cardboard tube launches between L’Oréal Group and Albéa,” a spokesperson said.
“Today, acting for the environment has become absolutely crucial,” added La Roche-Posay’s international marketing and innovation manager Othman Bennis.
“These very first tubes integrating carton represent an additional step in improving the ecological footprint of packaging…and our goal is not to stop there, but to extend this pilot technology to other important brands and to make it available in as many countries as possible.”
This launch is the latest in a line of sustainability commitments made by L’Oreal recently, in particular its commitment to zero-net emissions by 2050 as part of the United Nations’ Global Compact Business Ambition for 1.5°C.
However, L’Oreal is far alone in striving for sustainability.
We recently wrote about the launch of Wild’s natural deodorant.
A monthly deodorant subscription plan in which Wild’s biodegradable, refillable and 100% compostable deodorant, free from any unnecessary chemicals, are delivered straight to your door. In recyclable packing, of course.
The refills are also available as a one-off purchase and a Wild refill will fully compost within six months and biodegrade within 12, leaving no trace.
And then there are brands like Lush who have been on this particular train for a long time. The brand specialises in plastic-free packaging and we’re particular fans of its shampoo and conditioner bars. You can learn more on our best shampoo and best conditioner lists.
Then there are the clean beauty brands. Clean beauty covers more than products that are just vegan or cruelty-free, although both of these terms factor into it.
Instead, as the name suggests, to be certified as a clean beauty product, it must be sustainable and ethical in both its ingredients and packaging and must use organic, sustainable, recyclable and ethically sourced ingredients wherever possible. You can read more about this on our guide to clean beauty.
Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget
