Sustainability Efforts

Straight from the Estee Lauder annual report- "We achieved $1.75 million in savings from energy conservation efforts, increased the recycling of our manufacturing waste by an additional 50 percent and initiated a new company-wide “Green Chemistry Initiative” to measure our progress in reducing our overall environmental impact over the course of our products’ life cycles, from sourcing to recycling. We truly believe that what is good for the world is good for our business and we will strive to contribute in positive ways for years to come."

This one statement that was made by William Lauder himself proves that EL cares about the environment.  I think it is amazing that they increased recycling by 50 percent!  Its great to know that they are able to benefit their own company and the world at the same time by conserving energy.  They saved $1.74 million by doing this. They are finding more efficient ways to package products, and decreasing the amount of packaging materials when these items are shipped to stores.  They believe it is not just what is in the product, but how it is manufactured that makes it sustainable.

One way that EL has really increased their sustainability efforts is through one of their brands, Aveda.  This brand is centered around the fact that it is eco-friendly, being that it was the first beauty company to be totally run by wind and turbine power.  They used 100% recycled packaging, and their efforts could go on and on for days.  I included a picture of their website that shows all of the ways they are "going green".

Its quite obvious that EL takes their sustainability efforts seriously because it was one of the first pages of their annual report.  The company as a whole is making an effort, but some of their specific brands are taking it a step further.  I think it is amazing that they take part in so many sustainability efforts because not only does it benefit the company and the consumer, but it benefits the environment.

http://www.gcimagazine.com/business/management/sustainability/128835468.html?page=1

http://www.aveda.com/discover/acting_responsibly.tmpl

http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/10/109458/EsteeLauder2011AR.lr150dpi.pdf