Many companies are proving going green is indeed a beautiful endeavor. Here to recognize those that have gone above and beyond in preserving the environment is Organic Monitor with its 2014 Sustainable Beauty Awards. The awards recognize organizations that are pushing the boundaries of sustainability in the beauty industry. This year’s winners include a diverse group of green-leaning companies, proving that everyone can benefit from helping the environment. Here are the winners and runners-up:
Sustainability Pioneer
Cruelty Free International is the winner for its global campaign to end animal-testing methods for cosmetic and personal care products. The organization was instrumental in pushing for the EU ban, and is now campaigning for legislative change in China, Brazil, the US, and other countries. Organic Monitor commends the organization for raising awareness of animal-testing methods at the global level, as well as promoting alternative methods.
Neal’s Yard Remedies is runner-up for its sustainable sourcing projects and carbon neutral retailing. As well as setting up sourcing projects for organic and fair trade ingredients, all its concept stores are certified carbon neutral. Finalists for this award category were Asia Plantation Capital and Surya Brasil.
Sustainability Leadership
Aveda is winner of the sustainability leadership award. Since its formation in 1978, the American firm has pioneered many sustainability projects, involving raw materials, production, packaging, renewable energy, waste management and CSR.
Runner-up is Whole Foods Market. Apart from its various green initiatives, the natural & organic food retailer receives recognition for its body care standards, which have encouraged many brands to ‘clean up’ their formulations. Other finalists were Jurlique International and Yves Rocher.
Sustainable Packaging
The French company Laboratoires Nuxe is the winner. It has used eco-design approach to reduce the weight of its Nuxe face care jars by 75%, giving significant reductions in energy use, resources, as well as lowering its environmental footprint.
Surya Brasil is runner-up for using green plastics in its Sapien Women range. By replacing conventional polyethylene with sugar cane-based ethanol, its packaging captures carbon dioxide during the production process. Finalists in this award category were Organic Essence and Pangea Organics.
Sustainable Ingredient
AAK is the winner with Lipex SheaLight, which replaces silicones or synthetic esters in personal care formulations. Since it is produced from shea oil, the functional material has both environmental and social impacts.
Mibelle Biochemistry is runner-up with PhytoCellTec nunatak. The anti-aging active is sourced from an ‘ice age plant’ by sustainable processing methods. Finalists were Induchem with Biogomm’age, and Berkem with saponins extracted from Opilia celtidifolia leaves.
Green Formulations
Two Australian cosmetic brands topped this award category. Abaché Organics (Greenlab Organics) took first place with its range of professional organic haircare products. Zk’in by Pure & Green Organics is runner-up. Both brands received high green ratings for their certified organic product ranges. Finalists were Erbaviva and Less is More (LIM Cosmetics).
Sustainability Lifetime Achievement
The late Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Aveda and Intelligent Nutrients, received the first sustainability lifetime achievement award. Receiving the award at the reception, Kieran Stordalen, his wife and business partner commented: “this is a great tribute to Horst’s passion to make positive change”. Widely recognized as a sustainability visionary, Horst Rechelbacher passed away in February this year.
Does your spa feature products or treatments from these winning companies? For more award-winning companies and spas, check out our Professional’s Choice Awards in our December issue.