Kermit the Frog’s notable sentiment registered with me as I was working on this month’s feature on Environmentally Responsible Packaging in the Beauty World. Just as the famed Muppet struggled with his coloration and its many implications, in the end run, he embraced it and made the best of the situation.

In speaking with beauty brands, packaging suppliers and industry experts—along with my general research into sustainability issues—I picked up on a similar vibe. Just as Kermit learned to proudly accept being green, the beauty industry has continued to tout its adoption of sustainable packaging and practices. Though not often easy due to a plethora of reasons, as you’ll read in the article, great strides are being taken—if not directly with the packaging, then with progress in areas throughout the supply chain.

Iconic brands with an environmentally responsible DNA at their core—in particular, Aveda—remain in the spotlight. On page 46 of this issue, Mike Kennedy, vice president, Aveda global package development, talks about some of the brand’s accomplishments, including being the first beauty company with 100% post consumer recycled PET for skin care and hair styling (bottles and jars).
But you’ll find examples of brands and suppliers launching environmentally responsible packaging throughout this issue, including in our feature articles on Metals & Metallics and Sun Care, and in Departments from Design Center to Just Out.

Clearly, the movement toward Environmentally Responsible Packaging is more widespread than ever—which is critical, because as beauty brands expand their global reach, packaging may become more of an issue. Regulations regarding materials and design are now being implemented in many areas of the world, as Victor Bell, president of Environmental Packaging International, explains.

In conjunction with all this, a recent survey conducted for Green Works Cleaners by Clorox, caught my eye. While the women polled said they felt pressured to be environmentally conscious, they also cited cost and availability to recycling to be barriers to compliance.

Just like Kermit, they acknowledged that it’s not always easy to be green.

We hope you enjoy this issue,

Jamie Matusow
[email protected]