Up to 100% of its packaging is made from recycled materials.
To legions of women, the mere mention of Aveda conjures up visions of showering in a lush rain forest, right in their very own bathroom. We have the natural-beauty innovator to thank for introducing us to more than 600 plant-based ingredients, including morikue and babassu oil, when other manufacturers were slavishly devoted to using man-made chemicals. Since 1999, the company has raised $8 million for environmental causes by hosting Earth Month activities in April, during which many salons donate the fee for their services to conservation organizations here and abroad.
But every aspect of Aveda's business is green. By investing in indigenous communities, funding wildlife preservation and supporting the work of grassroots environmentalists, the company has had a massive impact on protecting global ecosystems. Nearly 80% of the essential oils used in its products are organic, and up to 100% of its packaging is made from recycled materials. Any electricity used at its Blaine, MN, manufacturing facility is offset by the firm's purchase of wind power, while all spas, stores and salons run by the company are built according to green construction principles. In Sanskrit, Aveda means "all knowledge." When it comes to knowing about nature, this company lives up to its name.