Increasingly eco-aware beauty businesses have the opportunity to be recognised for going green as entries open for this year’s Sustainable Beauty Awards, writes Nadia Stennett.
Going green doesn’t just make good sense, it makes good business. With an exploding market of eco-friendly, socially-conscious products flooding the market in response to growing consumer demand, sustainable businesses are big business today. It’s no surprise then, the beauty industry is following suit.
An initiative of Organic Monitor, a London-based specialist research company focused on global organic and related product industries, the 2014 Sustainable Beauty Awards recognises beauty businesses integrating socially and environmentally conscious strategies into their products and practices, celebrating businesses paving the way for sustainability in the beauty industry.
Entries are now open for cosmetic brands and businesses across five categories:
1. Sustainable packaging: For cosmetic brands or packaging firms with new packaging (introduced or adopted in the last 24 months) that has a low environmental footprint in terms of design and/or materials.
2. Green formulations: For cosmetic brands with a high level of natural and organic ingredients in their product formulation.
3. Sustainable ingredient: For any material (introduced in the last 24 months) that makes a significant difference in terms of environmental and/or social footprint. The environmental footprint could be lowered through cultivation, synthesis or application, while the social impact could be lowered in the form of ethical partnerships or fixed prices to growers.
4. Sustainability pioneer: An operator that leads in, or has pioneered in, a specific area, such as new synthesis or extraction processes, carbon and energy management and social aspects.
5. Sustainability leadership: An operator that shows overall leadership in sustainability. The cosmetic ingredient, packaging or firm should be able to demonstrate why it is a leader in various areas.
Award winners and runner-ups will receive media coverage and industry recognition for their contributions to the sustainability movement.
The deadline for entries is October 15. Finalists will be notified by October 31 and winners announced at an awards reception in Paris on November 24, which will run alongside the European Sustainable Cosmetics Summit. Both cosmetic multinationals and small start-ups are encouraged to enter.
For more information on the Organic Monitor 2014 Sustainable Beauty Awards, including how to enter, head to www.sustainablebeautyawards.com.
Information about the European Cosmetics Summit is available at www.sustainablecosmeticssummit.com/Europe.
By Nadia Stennett