06.08.18
Pledges by beauty brands for environmentally responsible packaging are picking up speed.
International skincare brand Kate Somerville Skincare, part of Unilever’s prestige beauty portfolio of global brands, is the latest industry leader to partner with the Plastic Oceans Foundation in their mission to reduce single-use plastic pollution from the environment.
The brand says they were drawn to the partnership due to the Foundation’s Rethink Plastic initiative, a program in which they work with leading brands in various industries to reduce their plastic footprint and to build awareness of the issue among consumers, employees, and industry peers. The goal is to achieve a meaningful shift in the long-standing belief that plastic is a viable disposable material that can just be thrown away without any ramifications.
The partnership with Plastic Oceans Foundation comes as Unilever is rolling out a plan to implement measures that will move them toward being a greener and more sustainable company.
“Healing people’s skin every day came out of the goodness of my heart, but I realized that what I was creating may be harming the ocean,” said Kate Somerville, founder of the brand. “That broke the link for me. I was part of the problem and now we need to solve this problem. That’s what we’re going to do at Kate Somerville. We’re going to rethink plastic, but we’re also going to help our industry and the families around us rethink plastic. A big part of that effort comes through this partnership and support of the Plastic Oceans Foundation.”
The partnership is officially launching in conjunction with World Oceans Day, June 8, 2018. In addition to Kate Somerville’s pledge to be 100% recyclable packaging by 2022, the brand will immediately begin implementing the following short-term goals:
—Remove plastic from packaging of all kits, which are currently made from 50% plastic
—Reduce non-essential single use plastic in the Kate Somerville Skin Health Clinic and eliminate plastics at head office
—Apply the 3Rs of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle in all packaging including alternative materials, post-consumer plastic and making it recyclable
—Provide volunteer opportunities to employees with organizations promoting sustainability
“Cosmetics and personal care products have long been a major source of single-use plastic entering our seas, waterways and land,” said Julie Andersen, global executive director of the Plastic Oceans Foundation. “Thus, we are inspired and excited by Kate Somerville Skincare taking up the mantle of leadership by implementing a concise plan to reduce their use of plastic in their packaging and elsewhere. We look forward to a long-term relationship and working with their team to achieve meaningful results.”
Andersen also noted that the partnership and this kind of corporate commitment can serve as a powerful reminder that change is possible and it doesn’t have to take decades to implement.
“I grew up in California and the ocean has always been where I feel my best. It has rocked my world to see how in trouble the ocean is,” adds Somerville. “Plastic is everywhere, but we can all make a difference in this world just by making small changes in our lives!”
International skincare brand Kate Somerville Skincare, part of Unilever’s prestige beauty portfolio of global brands, is the latest industry leader to partner with the Plastic Oceans Foundation in their mission to reduce single-use plastic pollution from the environment.
The brand says they were drawn to the partnership due to the Foundation’s Rethink Plastic initiative, a program in which they work with leading brands in various industries to reduce their plastic footprint and to build awareness of the issue among consumers, employees, and industry peers. The goal is to achieve a meaningful shift in the long-standing belief that plastic is a viable disposable material that can just be thrown away without any ramifications.
The partnership with Plastic Oceans Foundation comes as Unilever is rolling out a plan to implement measures that will move them toward being a greener and more sustainable company.
“Healing people’s skin every day came out of the goodness of my heart, but I realized that what I was creating may be harming the ocean,” said Kate Somerville, founder of the brand. “That broke the link for me. I was part of the problem and now we need to solve this problem. That’s what we’re going to do at Kate Somerville. We’re going to rethink plastic, but we’re also going to help our industry and the families around us rethink plastic. A big part of that effort comes through this partnership and support of the Plastic Oceans Foundation.”
The partnership is officially launching in conjunction with World Oceans Day, June 8, 2018. In addition to Kate Somerville’s pledge to be 100% recyclable packaging by 2022, the brand will immediately begin implementing the following short-term goals:
—Remove plastic from packaging of all kits, which are currently made from 50% plastic
—Reduce non-essential single use plastic in the Kate Somerville Skin Health Clinic and eliminate plastics at head office
—Apply the 3Rs of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle in all packaging including alternative materials, post-consumer plastic and making it recyclable
—Provide volunteer opportunities to employees with organizations promoting sustainability
“Cosmetics and personal care products have long been a major source of single-use plastic entering our seas, waterways and land,” said Julie Andersen, global executive director of the Plastic Oceans Foundation. “Thus, we are inspired and excited by Kate Somerville Skincare taking up the mantle of leadership by implementing a concise plan to reduce their use of plastic in their packaging and elsewhere. We look forward to a long-term relationship and working with their team to achieve meaningful results.”
Andersen also noted that the partnership and this kind of corporate commitment can serve as a powerful reminder that change is possible and it doesn’t have to take decades to implement.
“I grew up in California and the ocean has always been where I feel my best. It has rocked my world to see how in trouble the ocean is,” adds Somerville. “Plastic is everywhere, but we can all make a difference in this world just by making small changes in our lives!”
