2023 universal registration document

4. Corporate Social Responsibility

Many brands use recycled plastic in their bottles (some as much as 100%) as well as other recycled materials in the packaging (recycled glass, paper or aluminium). In 2023, 112,435 tonnes of recycled materials(1) Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR)., including 68,951 tonnes in primary and secondary packaging, saved the equivalent amount of virgin materials. 85% of the volume of PET(2) Polyethylene terephthalate. used by the Group worldwide is recycled PET, i.e. 38,976 tonnes.

112,435 tonnes of recycled materials usedin the Group’s packaging.

 

Several brands continue to incorporate PCR PET (3) Post-consumer recycled (PCR). into their packaging:

  • the Maybelline brand has incorporated 100% of PCR PET into its makeup vials, particularly in its Sky High Cosmic and Primer Mascaras, but also for its SuperStay Matte Ink lipstick; and
  • the Shu Uemura brand uses 100% PCR PET in its UnlimitedMist bottles.

The same efforts have been made with PE (4) Polyethylene.containers, particularly Cerave bottles, launched in Asia and Mexico, and also Elseve Color Vive shampoo and conditioner bottles in Brazil, which now contain 100% PCR PE.

Other brands also use up to 70% PCR PP(5) Polypropylene. in their caps, such as the Micellar Water launched in Europe by the Garnier brand.

Narta deodorant cans are now produced from PCR aluminium, 30% and 50% respectively in the 100 and 200 ml sizes.

For glass packaging, initiatives to integrate recycled glass into various product categories are ongoing, such as skincare with a new 50 ml jar in the Renergie, Hydrazen, Genefique and Clarifique ranges from the Lancôme brand, which is made of at least 30% PCR, and perfumes with Yves Saint Laurent’s new MYSLF using at least 15% PCR glass in the bottle.

To implement new circular solutions for plastic packaging, L’Oréal is working with an ecosystem of partners:

  • the L’Oréal consortium, together with Carbios, is developing a bio-recycling process. This involves using very specific enzymes in order to recycle PET plastics and polyester fibres more broadly. This innovative process will produce a recycled PET equivalent to virgin PET. In April 2019, Suntory, Nestlé Waters and Pepsi-Co joined this consortium;
  • the partnership signed in 2018 with LOOP Industries®to depolymerise post-consumer PET into virgin-quality PET; and
  • the partnership signed in July 2019 with PURECYCLE to produce recycled PP.

In terms of recycled plastic, the Group has begun working on this value chain, particularly with suppliers of plastic packaging and recycled plastics, by involving them in analysing and mitigating upstream social risks. All recycled plastic producers used by the Group’s packaging suppliers agree to comply with the Group’s standards and commit to this by signing the Letter of Mutual Ethical Commitment. The Group has had a social audit carried out at each recycled plastic supplier factory located in a high-risk country. A conforming social audit is a prerequisite for any commercial relationship between recycled plastic suppliers and the Group’s plastic packaging suppliers. Aware that transforming the sector requires the cooperation of all its stakeholders, including suppliers of plastic packaging, recycled plastics and other end products, the Group actively engages with numerous stakeholders in order to shift the industry towards responsible sourcing.

Recycle: integration into circular streams 

 In 2023, 44%The Statutory Auditors have expressed reasonable assurance about this indicator. of the Group’splastic packaging was refillable, reusable, recyclable or compostable. 

TARGET 2025: 100%

The Statutory Auditors have expressed reasonable assurance about this indicator.

In 2017, L’Oréal joined the New Plastics Economy (NPEC) initiative of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. This initiative aims to rethink the life cycle of plastic so that plastic packaging never becomes a waste product and is re-inserted into the circular economy in the form of materials with biological or technical value.

Since 2018, L’Oréal has been a partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. One specific goal of this partnership is to have 100% of our plastic packaging which are refillable, reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. This goal is one of the commitments made by L’Oréal as part of the Ellen MacArthur Global Commitment. These commitments are monitored by the annual Progress Report.

In 2023, the percentage of refillable, reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic packaging was 44%. This improvement corresponds to an acceleration of refillable formats and the removal of recyclability disruptors. For example, L’Oréal Paris removed the metal spring from the pump used for its Acid Bond shampoo in Asia. This measure means we were able to remove a recyclability disruptor of plastic.

The Group’s brands have developed detailed sorting instructions for consumers to improve the recycling of their products.

Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR).

Polyethylene terephthalate.

Post-consumer recycled (PCR).

Polyethylene.

Polypropylene.