Aveda:

Alternative Waste Stream Opportunities

Introduction

Company Background

Environmental Initiatives

• Aveda is a global beauty brand focused around creating products from natural ingredients
• Core product categories include shampoos, conditioners, and advanced haircare products
• Recognized as an industry leader in sustainability and environmental stewardship

• Ethically sourced and organic natural ingredients
• 100% renewable energy used for manufacturing
• Wind offsets and solar array
• Commitment to circular economy
• Over 60% of packaging is PCR or FSC certified
• Innovative recycling programs
• Diverting waste from landfills

Goals/Objectives

• Evaluate current disposal methods

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• Explore alternative waste pathways

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• Make recommendations based on economic costs & environmental impacts

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Analysis Criteria

Environmental

Economic

• CO₂ emissions and GWP
• Position on waste hierarchy
• Alignment with Aveda’s sustainability goals

• Cost of current current waste stream (WTE)
• Cost of alternative pathways
• Initial investment requirements
• Operational costs

Waste Hierarchy

Non-Hazardous Waste Pathways

Alternative Products

Creation of lower value products such as cleaners and fertilizers

WTE Economic Data

Monthly WTE Results

• 18,241lbs of waste
• $5,536.77 to dispose
• 2.57 MTCO_2e emitted¹

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Recommendations

Alternative Products through G2 Revolution

Industrial Floor Wash and Dumpster Deodorizer or other products

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• G2 Revolution is located in Findlay, Ohio. G2 specializes in recycling, reusing, and recovering products that are not able to be recycled traditionally for various companies and their products
• G2 Revolution is a vendor for Estee Lauder, also connecting them to Aveda
• Aveda products would be put through a processor at a G2 Facility that removes the liquid mass from the packaging
• Packaging is shredded to protect brand security:
• Recycle/Repurpose: Plastic decking, plant potters, new product containers
• Sent to Waste to Energy: Dirty plastics no longer usable

Alternative Products through G2 Revolution

Industrial Floor Wash and Dumpster Deodorizer or other products

• The liquid mass from Aveda’s products would then be combined with other products to create a completely new product, most likely industrial floor wash or dumpster deodorizer
• G2 donates the product to a non-profit for disaster cleanups
• This option works best for shampoos, conditioners, and body products
• Through G2, they are assured that their mass products and containers are being put forth to a good cause

Donation of Products

• Due to changing business circumstances, donation is a viable option to serve the community as well as reduce the amount of waste that is being sent to WTE
• This alternative would result in less GhG emissions from AVEDA’s business production because less products would be sent to WTE. Emissions would only be produced from transporting these materials to local charities.
• Strong correlation to AVEDA’s message of helping both the environment and community.
• Saving money due to paying less for products to be sent to the WTE Facility.

Nonprofits in the Twin Cities

• Minneapolis, MN
• Helps people experiencing homelessness transition into stable and affordable housing

• Minneapolis, MN
• Helps homeless and at-risk children and their families manage crisis situations and build a strong foundation for success.

• St. Paul, MN
• Provides Women in crisis or transition with a stable environment so they can explore options for their future.

• Anoka, MN
• Provides housing and other resources to homeless youth. Provides pathways to end youth homelessness

• Blaine, MN
• Empowers victims of domestic and sexual violence, and inspires social change, through education, support, and advocacy

Simpson Housing Services

People Serving People

Haven Housing

HOPE 4 Youth

Alexandra House

• It is a step forward to being more sustainable by producing renewable energy with waste product and expired ingredients
• Facilities equipped with digesters would probably be more likely to accept shampoos, conditioners, and lotions which means Aveda’s waste would need to be consolidated and separated
• Biggest obstacle is identifying a nearby facility in MN that would accept and is equipped to take Aveda’s type of waste as it would need to be compatible and go through a trial period. Other facilities in other states have not been researched

Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic Digestion: St. Cloud Wastewater Plant

• Waste must be of high enough strength to increase biogas production and of a liquid or a slurry consistency
• The City also accepts commercial industrial waste to be used in the headworks of the plant
• Costs between $60-120 per 1,000 gallons, depending on chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration
• In 2019, this biofuel generator produced over 5 million kWh of energy
• 87% of the energy demand for this plant comes from renewable sources

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Anaerobic Digestion: St. Cloud Wastewater Plant

• Limitations: no guarantee that Aveda’s waste would be accepted at this point.
• Storage capacity is limited and all new sources must go through a trial period to make sure that there are no treatment disruptions
• Trial Period Information:
• Contact Elizabeth Kramer at: Elizabeth.Kramer@ci.stcloud.mn.us
• Request a Special Discharge form

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Emissions Data Comparisons from Recommendations

• $199.02 / month

• $4.56 / month

• $212.07 / month

-2.48 MT CO2e /month

-2.50 MT CO2e /month

Analysis

Pros:

• Middle of waste hierarchy
• May be suitable for multiple waste materials

Cons:

• 2nd highest cost of alternative pathways
• Highest CO₂ emissions

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Pros:

• Consistent with Aveda’s mission and values
• Highest on waste hierarchy
• Lowest cost
• 2nd lowest CO₂ emissions

Cons

• May not be suitable for all waste categories
• Challenges with logistics

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Pros:

• Creates valuable materials and biogas
• Lowest CO₂ emissions
• Potential to be done on-site

Cons:

• Highest cost alternative
• Not suitable for all waste materials

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Alternative Products

Donation

Anaerobic Digestion

Conclusions

• Through our research we have identified three alternative pathways for Aveda’s non-hazardous waste
• All of these pathways have lower CO₂ emissions potentially lower economic costs than waste-to-energy, the current pathway
• Anaerobic digestion offers the biggest reduction in emissions
• However, donation and recycling of products are higher on the waste hierarchy than to WTE and anaerobic digestion
• All of these pathways have their advantages and challenges, therefore our recommendation is an integrated approach to disposal of non-hazardous waste
• Due to the variety of materials and the constantly changing business environment, each pathway may be preferable in different circumstances

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Dan Schibel - Aveda

Global Sustainability Manager

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Sarah Norman - Aveda

EHS Manager

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Cindy McComas - U of M

Faculty Adviser

Thank You

Questions/Comments?

Logan Wikstrom

Chandra Her

Taylor Houska

Skye Feist