Aveda cosmetic jar wins sustainability award

For cosmetics company Aveda, packaging waste can be a thing of beauty. For its Light Elements Styling jars, the company has been awarded the 2009/2010 3M Sustainable Packaging Award as part of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IOPP) annual AmeriStar Awards.

Aveda brings to market two new styling products in recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) jars.  These are the first HDPE jars to include 99 percent post consumer recycled (PCR) content. The jars also represent the first time colorant has been loaded onto PCR resin for Aveda.

The jars are packaged in a carton containing fibers certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and containing  up to 80 percent recycled content. The cartons also are manufactured and printed in facilities that use renewable energy.

Aveda has been recognized numerous times for following sustainable practices for its packaging. The company has stated it is mindful of the need to reduce the environmental footprint of its packaging and has spelled out goals that maximize use of post-consumer recycled materials, materials that can be and are recyclable, and by designing its packaging so that parts can be separated for recycling.

IOPP recognized 36 packages in its 2009/2010 AmerisStar Awards program, including a “Best in Show” award to Abbott Nutrition. for its Similac SimplePac infant formula packaging. All AmeriStar packaging winners can be viewed at www.iopp.org

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