Kiehl's was built to last in 1851. As part of our journey to circularity, we have mapped out our way forward to meet specific goals globally by 2030.
RESPECT RESOURCES
We aim to formulate our products using sourcing and manufacturing processes that help conserve resources, minimize waste, and ensure that key natural resources are replenished, healthy, and thriving.
DESIGN OUT WASTE
Our goal is to make single-use plastic a thing of the past by packaging our formulas in bottles or jars that are reusable, refillable or made of recycled materials.
EMPOWER COMMUNITY
Inspire our global community to take action by providing education focused on sustainability and making it easier for customers to dispose of over 15 million empty packages globally.
RESPECT RESOURCES
At Kiehl’s we recognize the need to give back to the environment, not just take from it. We seek new methods, ingredients, and sources to continue to formulate for quality and efficacy without compromise.
OUR GOALS FOR 2030
100% of our formulas will harness the power of nature and science to maximize efficacy with minimum impact through key activities such as:
- Sustainably source abundant and bio-based raw materials
- Using circular processes and green transformation of raw materials
- Re-using water in a manufacturing loop and power production with renewable energy
Scroll through to see our progress made in 2023.
ABUNDANT & BIO-BASED MATERIALS
Globally, 68% of our ingredients are sourced from abundant & bio-based raw materials*
BIODEGRADABLE FORMULAS
Average biodegradability of our formula is 84%, with rinse-off products averaging 92%*
POWERED BY RENEWABLE ENERGY
Globally, more than 97% of Kiehl’s products** were manufactured in plants that use more than 99% of renewable energy
INCLUSIVE SOURCING
Provided 1,119 people world-wide with access to work through our Inclusive Sourcing efforts, an initiative to support diverse suppliers from underrepresented communities*
DESIGN OUT WASTE
We could “trash talk” other industries for creating waste but the beauty industry is part of the problem. Skincare unquestionably contributes to the enormous quantities of plastic waste in landfills and oceans. We’re taking action to reduce our impact by 2030.
OUR GOALS FOR 2030
100% of packaging will eliminate single-use virgin plastic by:
- Redesigning to reduce our overall packaging
- Maximizing our use of post-consumer recycled materials (or PCR)
- Transitioning to reusable and refillable packaging
Scroll through to see our progress made in 2023.
DON’T REBUY, JUST REFILL
Our refill pouches use between 61% and 81% less plastic compared to buying new jars or bottles of the same product. Plus, you can bring your empties back to the store for rewards.
LIGHTWEIGHTING OUR JARS
In 2024, we optimized the 125ml jar designs for Ultra Facial Cream, Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30, and Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream, reducing the plastic usage per jar by 40% and saving 16 tonnes of plastic globally.
EMPOWER COMMUNITY
Improving our communities has been central to our mission since 1851. Today, that means more than just giving back—it also means inspiring our global community of customers and Kiehl’s employees to take action as part of our journey to circularity for a healthy planet.
OUR GOALS FOR 2030
Encourage our global community to take action through:
- Collect 15 million more empty products globally through Kiehl’s in-store Recycle & Be Rewarded program
- 75,000 hours of professional skills development for Kiehl’s Skin Pros globally, with focused courses on sustainability
Scroll through to see our progress made in 2023.
RECYCLE & BE REWARDED
- 1,202,461 collected products globally through Recycle & Be Rewarded in 2023*
- Discover more about Recycle & Be Reward below
OUR MISSION IN PROGRESS
- 52% of Kiehl’s Skin Pros globally completed required sustainability trainings
- 26,673 hours of professional development completed by Kiehl’s Skin Pros globally
OUR BEST, NOW REFILLABLE
Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane
Discover our #1 face cream formulated with 4.5% Squalane, Glacial Glycoprotein and Pro-Ceramides to strengthen your skin's moisture barrier for softer, smoother skin and 72-hour hydration.
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Face Cream
A non-comedogenic, shine-reducing, and oil-free moisturizer gel for normal oily skin that hydrates for up to 24 hours with no residue.
Creme de Corps Refillable Body Lotion with Cocoa Butter
A rich, fast-absorbing, non-greasy lotion with Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter. Paraben-free and fragrance-free. Refill format available.
Amino Acid Refillable Conditioner
A daily Coconut Conditioner, with Amino Acids & Jojoba oil. Paraben-Free & Sulfate-Free. Refill format available.
SO, WHAT IS “CIRCULARITY”?
Today, the way products are made is linear. We take materials and resources, create products and then eventually throw them away as waste.
In a circular economy, we mimic nature’s way of doing things by focusing on how we use resources and manufacture products and by having a plan for the materials and packaging afterwards to help stop waste from being created in the first place.
RECYCLE & BE REWARDED
At Kiehl's we take clean and empty beauty packaging from any brand. We’ll gladly take your:
- Plastic, metal, and paper bottles + jars smaller than a yogurt cup or 2"x 2"
- Plastic + aluminum squeezable tubes
- Ceramic + porcelain containers
- Colored glass bottles + jars (varies heavily by location; check locally)
- Caps + closures
- Pumps + dispensers
- Droppers + applicators
- Compacts + palettes
- Lipstick/lip gloss tubes + applicators
- Mascara tubes + wands
- Plastic pencil components for eye/lip liner + brow pencils
- Toothpaste tubes + dental floss containers
- Silicone containers
- Pouches
- Sachets
- Supplement bottles smaller than a yogurt cup or 2"x 2"
As of today, we unfortunately cannot take:
- Items that should go in most curbside programs, like:
- Rigid plastic containers #1, #2, and #5 (when larger than a yogurt cup or 2" x 2", caps can stay on if the main packaging is curbside recyclable)
- Stainless steel or aluminum ((when larger than a yogurt cup or 2" x 2")
- Clear or frosted glass jars and bottles (varies heavily by location; check locally)
- Cardboard & paper
Other miscellaneous items like:
- Dental Floss
- Aerosol cans*
- Sponges + Brushes
- Single-use wipes
- Plastic + Foil safety seals
- Nail polish + Remover*
- Toothbrushes
- Prescription pill bottles (check local recycler guidelines)
*Products considered hazardous materials such as aerosol products, nail polish and nail polish remover should be disposed of through proper hazmat disposal. Check for your local hazmat disposal options.
- *KPI FOR FY23 AUDITED BY EY IN FY24. BASED ON THE PROCEDURES AND EVIDENCE OBTAINED, NOTHING HAS COME TO ATTENTION THAT CAUSES TO BELIEVE THAT THIS KPI IS NOT PREPARED, IN ALL MATERIAL RESPECTS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE L'OREAL FOR THE FUTURE KPI METHODOLOGY USED, AND KIEHL'S SINCE 1851 RELEVANT DOCUMENTATION.
- **AT THE END OF THE YEAR 2023, EXCLUDING SAFETY AND SECURITY INSTALLATIONS. FIND MORE INFORMATION ON THE UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT HERE.
- ***AMINO ACID SHAMPOO -81% (4X250ML); AMINO ACID CONDITIONER -73% (2X500ML); CRÈME DE CORPS -81% (4X250ML); GRAPEFRUIT LIQUID CLEANSER -81% (4X250ML); ULTRA FACIAL CREAM -61% (3X50ML); AND ULTRA FACIAL OIL FREE CREAM -61% (3X50ML).
- ****CALCULATION COMPARES THE WEIGHT OF THE ORIGINAL 125ML JAR TO THE NEW LIGHTWEIGHT JAR OF THE SAME PRODUCTS BASED ON FULL YEAR 2024 GLOBAL PRODUCTION
