L'Oréal Canada posts positive environmental balance sheet

MONTREAL , Sept. 22 /CNW Telbec/ - L'Oréal Canada continues to reduce its ecological footprint with a positive environmental balance sheet. "Every year, L'Oréal Canada pursues its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. From the L'Oréal factory and distribution centre in Ville Saint-Laurent to our head office in downtown Montreal , all of our employees are pitching in to make L'Oréal Canada a flag bearer for sustainable development," declared L'Oréal Canada president and CEO Javier San Juan. After an environmental performance assessment, L'Oréal Canada has reported significant reductions in its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water use as well as improvements in waste management.

GHG reductions exceed targets!

For the 2006-2008 period, GHG emissions from vehicle use dropped 9.20%. This performance is due in part to a decrease in overall kilometers driven by company employees, but especially to a reduction in corporate fleet fuel consumption. The decrease is also due to the acquisition of cleaner vehicles, a move that in itself kept 180 tons of CO2 emissions out of the atmosphere in 2008. Overall, total GHG emissions from vehicle and air travel were reduced by 11% between 2006 and 2008, largely exceeding the 3% target.

In 2008, CO2 emissions were reduced by 12% at the factory, due mostly to the recovery of residual energy, despite steady growth in output. The 2009 target is a further 2%, which will bring the total decrease in production facility emissions to 2,127 tons. A 2005 study to identify sources of energy loss provided the basis for these reductions and garnered L'Oréal Canada the Prix d'Excellence (excellence award) for SHE (Safety, Health and Environment).

A rigorous program to reduce water consumption at the source

A draconian water use reduction program implemented at the Ville Saint-Laurent plant has generated annual water savings of more than 39,000 cubic meters. Water use per finished product now stands at 0.55l, and gains in efficiency are being pursued in 2009 with a new target of an additional 3% in water savings through the optimization of production tool wash cycles, reduced water use at the waste treatment plant, and the installation of flow limiter valves and timers on washroom faucets. Savings are in addition to the 40% decrease in water use already achieved at the distribution center since 2005.

Waste management: small gestures that really add up!

Lastly, the recovery rate for transportable waste stood at 92% at our distribution center in 2008 (a 9% improvement since 2005), and at 89.3% at our factory. The target for 2009 is an additional increase of 5%. We have also seen a 23.06% increase in recycling in our coffee and bistro section, and a 42% recovery rate at head office.

Commitments at the heart of a comprehensive L'Oréal Group strategy

L'Oréal Canada's commitments are part of L'Oréal Group's ten-year strategy (2005-2015), which sets three key objectives for company factories and distribution centers:

    
    - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% (in intensity)
      (In 2005, L'Oréal CO2 emissions totaled 230.3 thousand tons)

    - Reduce water consumption per unit of finished product by 50%
      (In 2005, L'Oréal used 0.72 liters of water per finished product)

    - Reduce waste generation per unit of finished product by 50%
      (In 2005, L'Oréal generated 32.2 grams of waste per finished product)
    

L'Oréal is committed to implementing an environmentally responsible approach in managing its operations and aims for excellence in environmental performance. This approach plays a key role at every step of the production chain, from advanced research to raw material testing and the finished product. This approach testifies to L'Oréal's determination to respond to consumer expectations all across the globe

For a number of years now, L'Oréal has been implementing environmental initiatives and incorporating principles of sustainability into its management practices as it develops and grows. In 2008 and 2009, the Group was named one of the world's 100 most sustainable companies by Innovest and Corporate Knights in recognition of its overall efforts.

These achievements were possible thanks to the dedication of teams from all divisions of the company, who consider human values a priority. This year, on the occasion of Maison L'Oréal's 100th anniversary, 100 citizen initiatives were undertaken in communities where the company is located.

L'Oréal Canada , is a wholly-owned subsidiary of L'Oréal Group. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the L'Oréal group is the largest cosmetics company in the world.

Headquartered in Montreal , L'Oréal Canada had sales of $846 million in 2008 and employs 1,200 people. The company's prestigious brand portfolio of over 25 brands includes Kérastase, L'Oréal Professionnel, Redken, Matrix, L'Oréal Paris , Garnier, Maybelline New York, Ombrelle, Lancôme, Biotherm, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren , Kiehl's Since 1851, Victor & Rolf, Laboratoires Vichy et La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Pharmaceutique. Most recently, L'Oréal acquired The Body Shop, Yves Saint-Laurent Beauté, Roger & Gallet, Boucheron, Stella McCartney, Oscar de la Renta and Ermenegildo Zegna.

For further information: Amélie Hudon, OZONE, [phone] #222, C: [phone], [email protected]; Teresa Menna, Manager, Corporate Citizenship and Internal Communications, L'Oréal Canada, [phone], [email protected]