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Mary Kay Releases Sustainability Report—& Goals for 2030

Mary Kay's Sustainability Report notes goals met from 2020-2022—and 2030 sustainability targets for product stewardship, manufacturing & more.

Marie Redding, Senior Editor12.16.22

Mary Kay released its 2020-2022 Sustainability & Social Impact Report, highlighting the goals the company achieved toward packaging reduction, diversity, conserving natural resources, transparency—and more.

The comprehensive report also notes key sustainability targets that Mary Kay will aim to reach by 2030.

The report lists notable achievements in the following 5 areas:

Business Excellence
Product Stewardship
Responsible Manufacturing
Women's Empowerment
Social Impact

Deborah Gibbins, Chief Operating Officer at Mary Kay Inc., comments, "We’re proud of the progress we’ve made on our sustainability journey so far, and we are inspired to see how our actions today will address global challenges for future generations.”

Gibbins continues, “Mary Kay has operations in nearly 35 countries—we consider that an accomplishment and a responsibility. Enriching Lives Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow is our roadmap for supporting our business strategy, reducing our environmental impact, and supporting communities where we operate.”

Mary Kay's 3 Commitments Toward 2030 Sustainability Targets for Product Stewardship

Product Stewardship is one key area Mary Kay's executives are focusing on, and the company says it is challenging itself to further embed sustainable business practices through product development, design, responsible sourcing, and mitigation of plastics pollution.,

1. Plastics & Packaging

Mary Kay says it is committed to decreasing the plastic intensity in its packaging by 30%—and increasing circularity with post-consumer resin (PCR).

From 2020 - 2022, Mary Kay reduced nearly 500,000 lbs. of plastic and approved 16 new sustainable packages for future products. This year, the company completed a full evaluation and categorization of components to accurately measure plastic intensity in real time with its sales team.

2. Recycling & Circular Economy

Mary Kay will reduce its impact by sourcing more than 90% of the paper in its packaging from recycled content and/or certified sustainable sources.

Last year, Mary Kay increased its post-consumer paper content in its packaging inserts from 20% to 30%, representing approximately 20,000 lbs. of paper sourced annually. The company also joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation as part of its commitment to becoming a more sustainable circular business.

Earlier this year, Mary Kay achieved the Forest Stewardship Council certification in the U.S. The company also implemented a process for sustainable packaging claims substantiation and reporting.

3. Sustainable Sourcing

The company says it will ensure its sourced products are obtained in a responsible and sustainable way by addressing environmental and ethical factors in its supply chain.

Last year, Mary Kay ensured that 100% of its top 10 suppliers and 50% of its top 100 suppliers by spend have their own sustainability policy. The company also partnered with EcoVadis, a third-party entity, to validate supplier sustainability policies. Mary Kay partners with 142 suppliers with scorecards.

This year, Mary Kay updated its Responsible Procurement Program and Supplier Code of Ethics to include sustainable procurement; and added a sustainability clause to its supplier contract templates.

Looking Ahead

The report includes a closing message from Gibbins and David Holl, chairman and CEO, which says in part:

"Our approach to sustainability provides the deep foundations we need to support our business strategy: to be a world-class organization. We understand growth and sustainability are not in conflict."

It closes with the following statement:

"In a time of constant change, keeping sustainability as the consistent bedrock of our approach to doing business is not only right for society, it will be critically important to our success, which will help us navigate through all the change to come.
There is no finish line, just an aspiration to conduct our business in ways that will continue to earn trust and redefine the role and responsibility of empowering women. We invite you to join us on this journey."

Read the full report here—Mary Kay's Sustainability & Social Impact Report.