Sustainability means using methods and materials that won't deplete natural resources or harm natural cycles.

 

Pureology makes a concerted effort toward sustainability through our product formulation and package development:

•  
  Products are enriched with Organic Botanicals cultivated without the use of harmful pesticides. 
• Concentrated formulas last longer than other shampoos, which minimizes the amount of plastic bottles being produced. 
• Packaging uses up to 25% of post-consumer recycled plastic, which in turn reduces the amount of waste in our landfills. 
  Our manufacturing process has decreased water consumption by 21% in 2008.

Pureology understands that sustainability is an ongoing effort – that’s why we are establishing several initiatives to aid the cause. Our first focus is on water.

WHY WATER?

Our world is entering into a global water crisis.

 

Water facts   One third of world’s population lives in water-stressed countries. By 2025, that number is estimated to rise to two-thirds. Water shortages and contamination cause widespread health problems, and do harm to a variety of eco-systems. More than 1.1 billion people do not have access to drinkable water, leaving roughly one sixth of the world’s population at risk of contracting fatal diseases and illnesses. As many as 10,000 people die every day. (Source: Green Cross International.) The causes of poor access to water result from inadequate water management and inefficient handling of water, not due to actual scarcity of water. Up to 50% of water in urban areas and 60% of water used in agriculture is wasted by inefficient management and/or evaporation. (Source: UNEP.)

Water use

 

• 70% of the world’s water is used for agriculture, 22% for industry, and 8% for
  domestic use.
• Low- and middle-income countries use 82% of their water for agriculture, 10% for
  industry, and 8% for domestic use.
• High-income countries use 30% of their water for agriculture, 59% for industry,
  and 11% for domestic use.

Water Footprint

 

Water Footprint is the total amount of freshwater used directly and indirectly by consumers and manufacturers. The direct water use is the water used at home. The indirect water use relates to the total volume of fresh water that is used to produce the goods and services consumed by the consumer.

Direct impact
- It takes up to 189.3 liters (50 gallons) to take a five-minute shower.
- It takes up to 26.5 liters (7 gallons) to flush a toilet.
- 7.6 liters (2 gallons) to brush your teeth.
- 75.7 liters (20 gallons) to hand-wash dishes.

Indirect impact
- 1 kilogram (2.2 lbs) of beef has a Water Footprint of 16,000 liters (4,226.8 gallons).
- One sheet of paper has a Water Footprint of 10 liters (2.6 gallons).
- One cup of tea has a Water Footprint of 35 liters (9.2 gallons).
- One microchip has a Water Footprint of 32 liters (8.5 gallons).

What does this mean for salon professionals?

 

Water use is actually one of the biggest environmental impacts of a salon. When rinsing a client’s hair, a colourist can use as much as 5 gallons of water per minute. Add up the numbers and they become astounding. (Source: Alliance for Water Efficiency)
Fortunately, water use is area where it’s possible to make a big difference with a few small actions. Read on to learn what you can do to minimize your Water Footprint.

 

How does it affect others?

Women...
Many households in developing countries do not have access to clean, sustainable water sources in their homes, or even nearby. Women bear the brunt of the responsibility for gathering water and can spend up to six hours per day gathering water for drinking, cooking and basic hygiene. Gathering enough water for a whole family’s needs is a tremendous hardship, and daughters are often recruited to help. Sometimes, so much of their time is consumed by this chore that attending school is impossible. Having enough water to maintain basic hygiene can also prevent girls from going to school, as well as the fact that some schools lack basic facilities, such as separate bathrooms for boys and girls. In essence, a lack of proper water and sanitation systems has created a poverty trap for women and children.

Children...
Everywhere, limited access to clean drinking water threatens the health and wellbeing of millions of people. Of the 2 million children, women and men affected each year; most victims are under the age of five. Every 15 seconds, a child somewhere in the world dies from a disease caused by contaminated water. In poor countries, the lack of clean drinking water gives children no choice but to drink whatever is available at the bottom of the muddy and contaminated wells. As a result, children can carry as many as 1,000 parasitic worms in their bodies at any time. Contaminated water is responsible for many serious health problems, including dysentery and cholera.

Global Green USA’s response

Global Green USA and Green Cross International have been working for several years now to advance the cause of the human right to water and insuring that we use water wisely. Using its expertise in water management and assessment, Green Cross International is a vehicle for collaboration around water sources worldwide. Global Green USA establishes collaborative partnerships with local governments, affordable housing organizations, school districts, and other public and private entities to facilitate the development, adoption, and implementation of sustainable policies, programs, and practices including water conservation.


Smart Water Policies for Green Schools
Schools are the heart of our communities. As such, they represent the promise we make to our children and future generations. Our children deserve schools that are healthy, enhance learning potential, are cost-effective, and minimize negative impacts on the environment. Early adopters of green schools programs, such as the Los Angeles Unified School District, New Orleans School District, and the Massachusetts School Building Authority, have established that integrating green building techniques into district practices results in significant long-term benefits to students, teachers, school districts, and the communities they serve.

Buildings represent 72% of US electricity consumption and 13.6% of all U.S. potable water consumption annually. They also account for 38% of the nation’s CO2 emissions – the primary cause of global climate change – which is related to hurricanes of increased frequency and severity, sea level rise, accelerated species extinction, and environmental degradation including erosion and desertification.

Compared to traditional construction practices, green schools consume 33% less energy, use 32% less water, incorporate renewable and non-toxic materials, and often even make positive contributions to local ecosystems. Examples of energy efficiency measures include: better windows and insulation, proper building orientation, and efficient heating and cooling systems. Water savings are achieved through low-flow fixtures and plant palettes with low irrigation needs. So far in Los Angeles alone, 34 new LA Unified green schools have resulted in over 21 million gallons of potable water saved and over 41 million gallons of stormwater treated and repurposed.

Quotes from our leaders

"Before, people thought water was available and would always be available, and the problem was not that severe. Now it is necessary to adopt a convention that would declare the right of access to good quality drinking water as a human right."
- Mikhail Gorbachev, Former Chairman of Green Cross International, and member of the board

“Clearly, water could become the source of conflict, but if we shape correctly the relationship between the countries and the people who are involved in the relevant water issues, water can be the strongest element of cooperation and peace-building.”
- Alexander Likohtal, President of Green Cross International

“It has been estimated that clean, safe water can be brought to the 1.2 billion people around the world for as little as $50 per person. It is ironic that we spend billions of dollars on missions to Mars to see if water ever existed on that barren planet, but we can’t find the political will to insure that the water that exists on Earth reaches the billions of thirsty people in need today.”
- Matt Petersen, Global Green USA President and CEO


“We shall not finally defeat AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, or any of the other infectious diseases that plague the developing world until we have also won the battle for safe drinking water, sanitation and basic health care.”
- Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General

Water is an essential element of life and development. It needs to become a human right—not a privilege or a luxury that many cannot afford. Pureology invites you to make a difference by becoming a PureGreen Member and receive a subscription to Global Green USA’s Quarterly E-Newsletter, Global Green USA pin, and personalized Global Green USA membership card. Your donation will help support Global Green USA current initiatives and future sustainability programs for our environment.

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