From the outset friends John Paul DeJoria and Paul Mitchell were clear that their new haircare product launch was to be cruelty-free (no animal testing) and have green roots firmly planted in the ethos of sustainability. That was pretty dynamic thinking for 1980 when the pair were launching their new company in the USA, but absolutely vital for their integrity. Today, that essentially simple mission remains at the heart of John Paul Mitchell Systems, particularly as the families of each founder are at the helm to safeguard the green ‘psyche’!
Green Promise
The JPMS pledge is writ large both literally and metaphorically in all the company does. It includes a promise to reduce virgin plastic, reduce carbon footprint, minimise waste and adhere to finding sustainable and ethical supply chains.
Take a look at some of the history and how it holds up to this pledge:
• In 2019, JPMS ensured photo shoots are carbon neutral. In 2020, solar panels were put on the global distribution HQ in California to provide nearly 90% of the energy needed to run the building during working hours, keeping 337 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere annually (like keeping 74 cars off the road for a year). In 2021, Clean Beauty products were made with 100% certified clean energy from renewable sources produced by hydroelectric power. Carbon emissions on all JPMS corporate travel is carbon neutral, offset with Terrapass partnerships. Fleet vehicles are hybrid to reduce CO2. A Reforest Action Tea Tree pledge to plant one million trees by the end of the year is underway.
• In 2020 the company switched from plastic retail bags to partially recycled paper, and eliminated 13.3 tons of plastic production annually. In the UK, 7p from the sale of each paper retail bag goes to charity. In 2021, a new eco-friendly hair care line in the UK – Clean Beauty – is made with bio-plastic packaging that is 90% derived from sustainability harvested Brazilian sugarcane and is 100% recyclable (excluding the pump mechanism). There is less plastic in the caps, too.
Green future
• By 2025, JPMS is committed to transitioning the packaging (bottles, tubes and jars) to post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, starting with Tea Tree and Paul Mitchell product lines. This will reduce the use of virgin, petroleum based plastic by an estimated 773 metric tons annually. By 2025, the company will also phase out all single dose plastic products packaging.
• Sustainable and ethical sourcing is part of the JPMS Green Pledge and ingredients including Awaphui (grown in Hawaii), Tea Tree Oil (sourced from ethical Australian farms) and Roundtable Sustainable Palm Oil are high priority. 100% eco paper is FSC certified (harvested responsibly), and the goal is to use 100%. In 2023 JPMS intend to have made 10 of the 12 product lines 100% vegan.
• Reducing salon waste is a big focus. In the USA the company works with Green Circle Salons, and in the UK with Green Salon Collective. It’s possible to recycle and recover hair, foil and aluminium, colour and bleach, PPE, plastics and paper cups.
There’s so much more to this company than products. There is heart and mind to be discovered. Make it your priority to delve into the ethos of any brand and hope to find a greener future.
____________________________
Here online you may browse our Portfolio section to find inspiration from the greatest hair artists… read our Blog to discover the top events and what we like about them, then visit our Magazine section to read the latest edition (and archive editions) of Tribu-te publications. If you’d like to enjoy your very own edition of Tribu-te delivered direct to your home – vist the Shop to order a subscription to arrive quarterly. And of course, once a year, you can visit the Tribu-te Show – it’s an awesome presentation of the leading hairdressers on the best stage possible in central London each October! Contact us if you have any questions or would like to submit photography and ideas for any of our editions in Europe – we’re particulary keen to see your salons for our Design section both in print and online.
Tribu-te magazine is produced by Seven Publications, Paris and you can find our Privacy Policy here.