Ainsley Treuhaft
Andrew Lokhonia
Lily Boses
Daniella Thomas
Loyola Marymount University
Ingrid Greene
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The company, Humanrace, is a sustainable skincare brand that focuses on refillable and recyclable packaging. Humanrace specializes in vegan, fragrance-free, and cruelty-free products. Unlike many other companies under the beauty industry, it does not include the 1,300 ingredients deemed unsafe by the EU. This company’s practices align with Goal 12 of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals due to their commitment to responsible consumption and production.
The interviewee discussed that the initiative for sustainable packaging came from the need to address the heavy amounts of waste in the beauty industry. She stated that the company’s "packaging is made from 51% post-consumer recycled landfill plastic and are refillable." All of their products are also packaged in FSC-certified recyclable cartons and are printed with non-toxic vegetable dyes. This innovative approach for the company's production process was driven by the need to "decrease the use of single use plastic." In order to ensure this was the most sustainable method, the founding team and partners researched and invested resources with their suppliers and manufacturer to make this vision come to life. Overall, this sustainable packaging method supports the company’s mission to collaborate closely with their suppliers to ensure the integrity and sustainability of their products.
Our interviewee was not at the company during the innovative packaging creation, so, she did not have direct input about the inspiration that drove the innovation. But, according to the Humanrace’s sustainability section of their website, “At Humanrace, creating products for a better life means constantly working to improve our methods of making them”. From what we have gathered from the interview and further research it is clear that sustainability and challenging industry standards is at the core of everything the brand does. Humanrace believes that each little step taken accumulates to a greater impact and they vow to always strive to do more when it comes to their sustainable manufacturing and production practices.
The overall impact of this innovation for Humanrace is that it became a main pillar for the entire brand. The pillar of sustainability grew from the innovation of the recyclable and reusable packaging and now has spread throughout all aspects of the brand. Not only has this innovation impacted Humanrace, but it has impacted society as it helps create a new industry standard. For the environment, this innovation has promoted the reduction of single use plastics. According to our interviewee, Humanrace has seen the short-term effects through brand recognition but as they are a newer business they have yet to observe the long-term impact of this innovation. There has been brand recognition in many publications about Humanrace’s sustainability efforts and packaging innovation.
Humanrace stands to reap significant business benefits by aligning itself with the values of the growing segment of environmentally and socially conscious consumers. As the demand for ethically produced and environmentally sustainable products continues to rise, the brand's commitment to reducing waste, offering vegan and fragrance-free skincare and beauty products, and adhering to the stringent standards of the European Union positions it as a leader in responsible business practices. By capturing the attention and loyalty of conscious consumers, Humanrace not only fosters a positive brand image but also ensures a steady influx of customers who prioritize sustainability and ethical choices. This strategic approach not only contributes to the bottom line but also establishes Humanrace as a socially responsible brand in an industry that is increasingly valuing environmental consciousness and ethical sourcing.
In an industry that has traditionally been extremely wasteful, Humanrace prides itself on focusing on several key environmental and social issues, prominently reducing waste and setting an industry standard. Their skincare and beauty products are all vegan and fragrance-free, made with the highest quality ingredients that meet the strict standards of the European Union (EU), which has recently deemed 1,300 ingredients unsafe. Additionally, the packaging is made from post-consumer recycled plastic and is refillable. Working with a factory, Humanrace developed a new machine to produce non-disposable cosmetic and skincare containers and allowed the factory to sell the machine without exclusivity to encourage other brands to adopt similar practices. This ensures that plastic waste is minimized and does not end up in a landfill.
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Jennifer Woodbury, Project Manager
Humanrace is a skincare company founded by Pharrell Williams. Known for its emphasis on sustainability, the brand offers high-quality products like the 3-Step Routine Pack, featuring a cleanser, exfoliant, and moisturizer. Humanrace blends natural ingredients with advanced skincare technology, promoting both skin health and environmental responsibility.