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Sustainability Calculator: A Tool to Assess Sustainability in Cosmetic Products

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Bom

    (Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Helena Margarida Ribeiro

    (Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Joana Marto

    (Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

Assessing sustainability is extremely necessary and appears as an industrial need and requirement in order to facilitate decision making and to evaluate the impacts of existing strategies, products and technologies. Thus, the main goal of this research was to develop a sustainability calculator based on the opinion of experts that work in the different branches of the cosmetic industry, in order to cover the entire life cycle of a cosmetic product. A detailed survey in which all the steps of a cosmetic product life cycle were addressed, was designed and applied to cosmetic professionals. The data obtained with the survey was statistically analysed for the positive and negative impacts of each parameter on sustainability. The analysed data allowed the creation of a Microsoft Excel tool that mirrors the experts’ opinion. A proof of concept was also designed in order to prove the usefulness of the tool. The results show that there are no raw materials and/or packaging materials and practices, that can be considered 100% sustainable. However, with the appropriate strategies, it is possible to drastically decrease the impacts of any type of cosmetic product on sustainability. This is a promising tool that includes the three dimensions of sustainability in a simple, fast, objective and interactive way for the user. Its application will facilitate the work of the formulators and reduce the time of analysis and decision.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Bom & Helena Margarida Ribeiro & Joana Marto, 2020. "Sustainability Calculator: A Tool to Assess Sustainability in Cosmetic Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:4:p:1437-:d:320888
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Commission on Environment and Development,, 1987. "Our Common Future," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780192820808.
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    1. André Luiz Romano & Luís Miguel D. F. Ferreira & Sandra Sofia F. S. Caeiro, 2021. "Modelling Sustainability Risk in the Brazilian Cosmetics Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-26, December.
    2. Popescu Anca & Neacsu Nicoleta Andreea, 2024. "Navigating The Path From Eco-Friendly Production To Consumer Choices In Cosmetics," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1, pages 108-115, February.
    3. Camila Kolling & José Luis Duarte Ribeiro & Donato Morea & Gianpaolo Iazzolino, 2023. "Corporate social responsibility and circular economy from the perspective of consumers: A cross‐cultural analysis in the cosmetic industry," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(3), pages 1226-1243, May.
    4. Jacques L’Haridon & Laure Patouillard & Julien Pedneault & Anne-Marie Boulay & François Witte & Marcial Vargas-Gonzalez & Philippe Bonningue & Isabelle Rollat & Thierry Blanchard & Gabriel Goncalves &, 2023. "SPOT: A Strategic Life-Cycle-Assessment-Based Methodology and Tool for Cosmetic Product Eco-Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-35, September.
    5. Camelia Grădinaru & Daniel-Rareș Obadă & Ioan-Alexandru Grădinaru & Dan-Cristian Dabija, 2022. "Enhancing Sustainable Cosmetics Brand Purchase: A Comprehensive Approach Based on the SOR Model and the Triple Bottom Line," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-22, October.
    6. Hea Young Lim & Ki Han Kwon, 2023. "Sustainable Assessment of the Environmental Activities of Major Cosmetics and Personal Care Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-20, September.

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