After having recently announceda 50% reduction of the CO2 emissions of its production globally [1] by the end of 2014, the L’Oréal Group said that its US subsidiary reduced its CO2 emissions by 57 percent, a saving of nearly 60,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

L’Oréal USA’s commitment to renewable energy and use of solar technology across its many facilities today represents more than 35 million dollars in investment. L’Oréal’s South Brunswick, NJ, distribution centre, for instance, boasts the largest solar panel array with over 10,000 panels, which supplies nearly 100 per cent of the building’s electrical energy requirements and reduces the CO2 emissions by close to 900 tons annually.

Solar Panels, L’Oréal USA, Berkeley Heights, NJ © L’Oréal USA

Over the last decade, L’Oréal USA has been persistent in reducing our carbon footprint and improving our environmental performance through innovative sustainability solutions,” said Jonathan Maher, AVP Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability for L’Oréal USA. “Our significant solar capabilities and energy efficiency achievements are thanks to our dedicated employees and facilities, who continue to infuse social and environmental sustainability into every aspect of L’Oréal’s business.

Nationally recognized for its solar and carbon efforts, L’Oréal USA was named a Solar Champion by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2013, and awarded a LEED Gold Certification for its Laboratory in Clark, NJ and offices in Berkeley Heights, NJ, as well as the USGBC Emerald Award for its Clark, NJ facility in 2014.

Beyond the company’s advances on solar power infrastructure, L’Oréal USA has taken additional pathways to being energy-efficient and environmentally-sound:

 All U.S. facilities are certified ISO-140001 and will reduce the need for hot water through a vessel cleaning optimization program called OptiCIP. The program uses dishwasher-like technology and an improved three-step cleaning process, which helps reduce water consumption by 40 percent and consequently reduces the energy necessary to heat the water;
 The company’s Piscataway, NJ, facility is lit by sun tubes that collect and redistribute sunlight to illuminate the warehouse without the need for electric lighting. These 65 sun tubes will save an estimated 13,000 Kg of CO2 emissions per year;
 The Research & Innovation Laboratory in Clark, NJ, has daylighting systems to maximize natural sunlight and low E-coated windows that reduce the need for climate control.