Avon has also joined the RSPO and has committed to purchase at least 80% of palm oil and derivatives from tier one RSPO suppliers by 2015.
In addition, a new line of Hello Green Tomorrow fundraising products will be available in over 50 countries, while the proceeds from Avon’s new reusable aluminium water bottle – available in the US – will raise money for The Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund.
“Giving back to society and the environment is stated in the principles on which Avon was founded in 1886; and today we bring this to life by empowering a global woman’ environmental movement to nurture nature,” said Avon chairman and ceo Andrea Jung. “Avon’s strength is mobilising people to make a difference, as we have done with breast cancer, domestic violence and now on the issue of deforestation.”
Commenting on Avon’s announcement, GreenPalm’s Bob Norman told SPC: “It’s great news for sustainable palm oil and for the cosmetics and beauty sector that a company like Avon has taken this commitment on board. Sustainable palm oil is a huge and complex area and it’s brave of Avon to make these early moves into using only sustainable oil.
“I hope this will encourage other beauty manufacturers to do something similar – as a manufacturer, you can’t help but think that if another brand is taking up the challenge, that you should do so yourself. However, we’re hoping that Avon’s move will not just influence cosmetics companies, but manufacturers across all industries.”
The GreenPalm platform enables brands to directly support those palm oil suppliers using RSPO certified methods.
