Japan L'ORÉAL's sustainability project (Sustainable cosmetics production)

 

In early August, I visited Japan L'ORÉAL's office in Tokyo. L'ORÉAL is a very famous global cosmetic enterprise. Although my purpose of this company visit is to learn something about jobs in global companies, I was impressed by how many sustainability projects L'ORÉAL is doing, so I'll write about some of its projects in this report.

 

Japan L'OREAL is making changes to their products, factories, shops and offices to achieve more sustainable society.

 

In production process, for example, they changed packages to recyclable ones, and they increased the percentage of biodegradability of their cleansing oil, and they are trying to use natural origin ingredients for their products. In addition, they developed an environmentally friendly hair care product which includes all functions as shampoo, conditioner, and treatment to reduce water consumption. Also it can reduce amount of wastes because it is using refill package.

 

In all their factories, they are trying to reduce 60 percent of their carbon emission, water consumption and the amount of waste by 2020 (compared to in 2005). In one of Japan L'ORÉAL's factories, they've introduced latest model boilers with high combustion efficiency and a wet sterilization system, and they already achieved 60 percent reduction of carbon emission and water consumption along with elimination of all reclamation of waste by the end of 2015. This factory is also participating in Renewable Certificate system and is using renewable biomass energy 100 percent.

 

 L'ORÉAL group is promoting three types of environmentally friendly activity which are Reuse, Recycle, and Use of energy produced by waste burning. To achieve these goals, they already started some activities for example they are recycling wood palette and paper boxes, and are reusing metals, plastics, and glasses.

 

In distribution process and shops, Japan L'ORÉAL is also promoting "MOTTAINAI project", which aims to create efficient distribution system and compactification of shop display, to achieve reduction of carbon emission and wastes. Also, they are collecting empty bottles and cases of their products in some of their shops to recycle.

 

In the office, they are promoting "Print Green project" which aims to encourage digitalization of documents in the offices and reduce paper consumption. Also, they are using environmentally friendly made chairs and table in their office.

 

Although this is an example in a private company, nowadays many companies in Japan are becoming to care about sustainability of their business and I hope this trend will help all business persons to be aware of the importance of climate change problems. I think this kind of sustainability project is very good not only for the earth but also for the company itself, because it can be a good advertisement and can enhance the brand image.