Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of listening to a panel at LUXE Pack New York discuss “Next Generation Paper Packaging: Luxury that Doesn’t Cost the Earth”. One panelist, Carley Klekas, Global Director Product Sustainability at Sephora, discussed how the large beauty retailer employs LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) tools to identify the environmental risks of both existing and planned products. In fact, Sephora has prioritized environmental and social improvement strategies that set sustainability goals and programs for products while also considering supply chains and packaging.
Planet Aware at Sephora is a program that recognizes brands that have made meaningful environmental commitments related to four key sustainability pillars, including sustainable ingredient sourcing and formulation, sustainable packaging, corporate commitments and consumer transparency.
Working in the sustainable secondary packaging industry, I was especially interested in the requirements Sephora’s program places on brand packaging, which include reducing packaging waste where possible and incorporating recyclable and compostable packaging while prioritizing using recycled materials.
The standards products are held to are determined by their launch date (before 2024 or in 2024), with the latter being held to more stringent guidelines. These include 75% of product packaging designed for circularity i.e., recyclability, refillability/reusable and/or compostability (50% for makeup brands), 100% of paperboard is either made of recycled cardboard or 3rd party verified for sustainably managed forests (FSC-certified or PEFC), and 100% of inks used are vegetable, water or UV based (non-petroleum derived and no VOCs).
At Knockout, we have worked with several brands sold in Sephora and are pleased that our sustainable secondary packaging aligns with their criteria. We understand that retailers and consumers are placing more emphasis on choosing brands whose values align with theirs, including the use of sustainable, eco-friendly ingredients and packaging.
Please contact me, or our team, at Knockout to discuss how we can help your business make sustainable packaging choices.
James Ford
Founder & CEO Knockout Packaging Solutions
To learn more about Sephora Planet Aware, click here.
To learn more about Knockout Packaging Solutions, click here.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sephora's Planet Aware program?
Planet Aware is a Sephora program that recognises brands with meaningful environmental commitments across four sustainability pillars: sustainable ingredient sourcing and formulation, sustainable packaging, corporate commitments and consumer transparency. Its packaging requirements include reducing waste where possible, using recyclable and compostable packaging, and prioritising recycled materials.
What packaging standards does Sephora Planet Aware require?
For products launched in 2024, the stricter standards include 75% of packaging designed for circularity (50% for makeup brands), 100% of paperboard made from recycled cardboard or third-party verified as FSC or PEFC certified, and 100% of inks vegetable, water or UV based, with no petroleum derivatives or VOCs.
How does Sephora assess the environmental impact of products?
Sephora uses life cycle assessment (LCA) tools to identify the environmental risks of both existing and planned products. Carley Klekas, Global Director Product Sustainability at Sephora, explained this at LUXE Pack New York, as part of strategies that set sustainability goals covering products, supply chains and packaging.
Does Knockout's packaging meet Sephora Planet Aware criteria?
Knockout has worked with several brands sold in Sephora, and its sustainable secondary packaging aligns with the Planet Aware criteria. Brands can contact the Knockout team to discuss how to make sustainable packaging choices that meet retailer requirements like these, including recycled or certified paperboard and compliant inks.
Sources
- Sephora Planet Aware, Sephora
