GARNIER OPENS ITS FIRST PLASTIC WASTE COLLECTION CENTER
IN CHENNAI, INDIA, TO INTEGRATE MORE OCEAN-BOUND
PLASTIC INTO BEAUTY PACKAGING
Serving social causes is no easy task for huge Corporate Houses that reign supremacy in the Consumer Market! Yet, certain biggies venture such noble and exemplary tasks whenever and wherever possible!
Another exceptionally exemplary gesture is the manner in which they brought on board a lady who collects garbage, especially from the roads to hand it over to scrap shops so as to eke out a living in order to support her family!
The center will be dedicated to creating beauty packaging and aims to collect 2,000 tons of plastic waste in its first year, in partnership with Plastics For Change, and support 2,000 people from the local community.
Garnier has also partnered with leading eCommerce players, Amazon and Myntra in India, to recycle two plastic bottles, through Plastics for Change, for every Garnier product bought on these platforms.
The plastic collected will be integrated into the packaging of Garnier’s iconic haircare Ultra Doux range, now made with 100% recycled plastic.
Garnier, one of the world’s largest mass-market beauty brands, strengthens its commitment to protecting the environment with the funding of a dedicated plastic waste collection center in Chennai, India, in partnership with Plastics for Change, a social enterprise launched with a mission to use plastic waste as a resource for addressing social issues. With the aim of collecting 2,000 tons of ocean-bound plastic [1]. In its first year, this center will empower the lives of 2000 people from the local communities. The plastic collected has been integrated into the packaging of Garnier’s iconic haircare Ultra Doux range, in European markets. For the first time, Ultra Doux bottles are made with 100% recycled plastic , of which 30% will be ocean-bound plastic .
To make collection services accessible to all, Garnier will set up plastic collection kiosks across 20 prominent locations in Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi, encouraging consumers to take their #OneGreenStep. Garnier has also partnered with eCommerce partners Amazon and Myntra, as part of which Garnier will recycle two plastic bottles, through Plastics for Change, for every Garnier product bought on these platforms.
Adrien Koskas, Global Brand President – Garnier, L’Oréal, said,“As one of the world’s leading mass beauty brands, Garnier has the unique opportunity to help create a positive impact on the planet by leading the way towards sustainable beauty that is accessible to all. With Garnier Green Beauty we want to shift the way the beauty industry operates, creating beauty that is good for you and the planet. We are committed to working hand in hand with organizations like ‘Plastics for Change’ to impact the planet in a more positive way. I’m so excited to unveil our next big milestone in partnership with Plastics for Change – a dedicated Collection Centre here in Chennai. With this new Centre, we hope to make a bigger impact, not only in the environment but also on the local community.”
Andrew Almack, CEO & Founder, Plastics For Change, said, “Plastics For Change was launched with a mission to use plastic waste as a resource for creating dignified livelihoods and alleviating poverty. The waste collectors at the base of the recycling supply chains are the backbone of the circular economy and by empowering them we’re creating both a social and environmental impact. Our goal is to connect a million waste collectors through fair-trade supply chains by 2030. This collection center is a major milestone for Plastics for Change and Garnier, in its Green Beauty journey.”
Since 2020, Garnier has been partnering with Plastics for Change to collect and recycle plastic, while enabling informal waste collectors, waste entrepreneurs, and their families to earn a stable income and improve their overall livelihood. Since 2020, Garnier has helped collect the equivalent of 539+ tons of plastic and support more than 3,200 beneficiaries.
[1] Abandoned plastic waste located within a range of 50km from shore that would eventually end up discharged in the ocean.
[2] Except dyes, additives and caps.
[3] In a selection of bottles, including Honey Treasures and Marvelous Oils Shampoos.
Notes to editors:
About Garnier:
Garnier is an accessible global beauty brand, with a mission to bring Green Beauty to all of us. Since 1904, Garnier has been offering products inspired by nature and powered by Green Sciences, for maximum efficacy for the people and minimum impact on the planet. We believe beauty is a force for good. From empowering all of us to take #OneGreenStep to support communities at the forefront of the climate crisis. Committed to providing more transparency, Garnier was the first mass beauty brand to launch a pioneering Product Environmental and Social Impact Labelling scheme allowing consumers to make more sustainable choices. The Garnier brand is animated by its daughter brands: Fructis, Ultra Doux, Garnier Bio, SkinActive, Ambre Solaire, Olia, and Nutrisse. All Garnier products are globally approved by Cruelty-Free International under the Leaping Bunny Programme. For more information: www.garnier.co.uk
Garnier key facts & figures:
- Sold in 64 countries.
- All Garnier products, globally, are approved by Cruelty Free International under the Leaping Bunny programme.
- Garnier commits to Green Beauty a complete end-to-end approach to sustainability. The aim is to transform every stage of Garnier’s value chain, reducing or eradicating environmental impact in the following areas:
More recycled & recyclable materials:
- In 2021, 12,200 tons of virgin plastic were avoided, thanks to the use of recycled plastic
- In 2021, 31% of our annual plastic consumption is with the use of recycled plastic
Greener sciences & formulas:
- By 2023, all bio-based ingredients will be sustainably sourced
- By 2025, 100% of Garnier’s new and renovated products will have an improved environmental profile
- 65% of our ingredients are bio-based or derived from abundant minerals or from circular processes
More solidarity sourcing and inclusivity:
- By 2025 Garnier will have empowered 1,500 communities worldwide as part of its Solidarity sourcing programme
In addition, to help fight against the impact of plastic pollution Garnier has partnered with two organizations:
- Ocean Conservancy – helping with the environmental impact of plastic pollution.
- Plastics For Change – helping with the social impact of plastic pollution.
One Green Step:
This year Garnier’s annual One Green Step Report, which canvassed over 29,000 people aged 6 to 60+ in nine countries showed the biggest increases in green intent came in the US and Germany, with almost 9 in 10 adult respondents (88%) agreeing the past year has made them more determined to change. Whereas 83% of people want to be more sustainable, only 5% considered themselves as already acting sustainably and only 30% are ready to act for the planet now. Barriers to taking sustainable action include lack of choice, lack of information, and finances.
