It seems that in 2017, product manufacturers across a broad range of industries will be devoting considerable attention in order to ensure compliance with the various sustainability and ecological guidelines being implemented in countries around the world. The cosmetics industry is no different in this respect. At the recent Sustainable Cosmetic Summit in Hong Kong, many leading product manufacturers came out in vocal support of pressing sustainability-related issues, many of which will likely have a direct impact on the global community for years to come. Some of the key issues discussed at the summit included the following:
Resource Reduction
The issue of drastically reducing resource consumption was a primary talking point for Angela Buglass, the current CEO of the New Zealand-based cosmetics company Trilogy. According to Buglass, cosmetics manufacturers must immediately begin to address their overall carbon footprint in order to fully understand the total effect of their practices on the environment at large. A number of cosmetics manufacturers located throughout Asia are taking proactive measures to counter their carbon footprint. Amorepacific, based in South Korea, has created the Osulloc Tea Garden on Jeju Island which they estimate has helped to offset 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Taiwan-based ORight has designed a number of sustainable programs which help to conserve resources and ensure maximum efficiency within their manufacturing process. ORight is now a pioneer in water footprint reduction and has begun to devise unique methods for re-integrating coffee grounds into their products, helping to ensure that this beverage byproduct is not wasted.
Labelling Innovation
Central to many of the campaigns being created today in order to help combat resource waste is a re-envisioning of cosmetics labelling which helps to not only call aware to sustainable initiatives but also to help consumers better understand how they can collaborate with cosmetic manufacturers to further their eco-friendly agendas. Cosmetic brands also understand that sustainability initiatives, particular in todays eco-conscious society, could serve as an excellent method for distinguishing oneself amongst the competition. By introducing labelling detailing a companys commitment to environmental responsibility, they are gaining an immense platform of popular support amongst those to whom this is also a concern. Of course, in order to provide such labelling, a company must truly be involved in such practices as well. Yet again, we can see how – even indirectly – cosmetic labelling plays such a formative role in the creation of ethically responsible business practices.
Organisations such as Organic Monitor are optimistic in their views of the direction the cosmetic industry and related enterprises are adopting in order to enhance their responsibility and accountability in the modern global economy. With this in mind, it will be quite interesting to observe what path these companies take throughout 2017 in order to remain committed to their cause while simultaneously respecting the importance of global ecology. Based upon current actions, it appears that the future does indeed look bright for environmental initiatives! More information about such programs will likely be shared as it becomes available!
