In Conversation with: Susanne Kaufmann

 

What does sustainability mean to you?

Sustainability and transparency have been central to Susanne Kaufmann from the very beginning. On the one hand, this means that we source the plant-based active ingredients for our formulations responsibly and as regionally as possible. In addition, gentle manufacturing of our products is important to us - we rely on solar and thermal energy to power our production facilities. For us, sustainability also means ensuring that our packaging is not a burden. Our products are supplied in glass bottles and jars that can be fully recycled and find their way back into the production cycle as secondary raw materials. With our innovative refill packs, we reduce packaging material and waste.
The use of renewable resources, cutting-edge science and intelligent product design have been an integral part of our philosophy for almost two decades. A deep respect for nature and people - that has always been important to us. It's always been about the big picture.

Do you have any tips on how to shrink your environmental footprint in the bathroom?

There are many positive habits you can introduce to your daily beauty regimen and daily life to reduce the amount of waste and water usage, from saving water usage when brushing or washing your face, to eco-friendly flannels/cotton pads that can be washed and reused to avoid excess waste. You can also seek products with renewable and biodegradable ingredients. We use sugar surfactants made from renewable raw materials for cleansing. You can find these in our Purifying Cleansing Gel, Hair & Body Wash and Hand Soap. Also try to use your products down to the very last drop before refilling or repurchasing.

Susanne Kaufmann has just redesigned the entire packaging - towards even more sustainability...

This was our opportunity to discover how we define sustainable luxury. We dedicated a lot of time to research and find new solutions for the best, most responsible packaging and we are incredibly proud of the sustainable updates we have made to our brand, and we are excited to share these with you. Our commitment to sustainability remains at the very heart of these changes so, for a short while, you may see a mix of our existing and new packaging in stores. We’ve consciously taken this approach to prevent the unnecessary waste that a hard swap would create, and we encourage you to buy or use products in our existing packaging before you try our new designs.

 

On the subject of packaging: What is the environmental difference between clear and milky glass?

All glass will contain elements of recycled glass. We have now switched to glass made with a higher percentage of recycled glass, but the result is still a clear, transparent finish. The difference is not in the finish, but the more recycled glass used, the lower the environmental impact.

Do you think that the refill system will become even more established or even completely accepted?

Our refill system has been widely received with many of our customers and we are committed to expanding the refill range. Made from 75% post-consumer material, each recyclable refill is 60% lighter than standard plastic bottles making it our most environmentally friendly packaging ever. Our refill system encourages customers to help reduce their carbon footprint cutting carbon emissions by up to 69%.

Often the caps of beauty products are the trickiest area - why can't these be designed sustainably so far?

The possibilities for caps made with PCR are limited compared to containers. This is something we are researching every day and will address when we find the best solution. Developing the packaging for our recyclable refills, using the highest percentage of post-consumer material (rHDPE) possible was one of the biggest challenges we have faced. Our refills are made of 75% post-consumer material (rHDPE) and are up to 60% lighter than standard HDPE bottles. We worked together to design a bottle that does not require a cap, which reduces the amount of different plastic materials needed, and therefore ensures the packaging is 100% recyclable and sustainable.

You are now working with sustainable ink - how exactly can ink be sustainable?

Our new packaging has eliminated the need for virgin glass and plastic labels, instead printing directly onto recycled jars and bottles with sustainable inks. By removing the labels, we have made it easier for our customers to recycle their packaging.

 

 

What do you want to convey to your customers?

I am passionate about sharing my view of what luxury beauty means today. Sustainable, natural products that do not compromise our Earth. We need an understanding the end to end approach; where the materials are sourced, how the products are produced, what energies do we use and how can our products be recycled. We want to make sure the products can be enjoyed by customers all over the world today without compromising our planet for future generations.

Which of your products are you particularly proud of?

I really love our Purifying Cleansing Gel which is a daily essential of mine, and I am so proud it is available as a refill. Suitable for all skin types, this cleansing favourite is particularly beneficial for oily and combination skin. Formulated with a blend of alpine willowherb extract, masterwort extract and hyaluronic acid, the gel has a soothing, clarifying and antibacterial effect on blemished skin.

Do you currently have further plans in the area of sustainability? Is there ever a point in this topic where you think: Now everything is sustainable enough...?

We believe that sustainability is a never-ending journey and it is our promise to continue to explore opportunities to reduce our environmental impact throughout 2022 and beyond. It’s not about doing less bad; it’s about doing more good.