Since 1978, being a sustainable beauty brand has been the promise that Aveda continues to pursue. Grounded in natural ingredients, holistic wellness, and a strong sense of community, Aveda has emerged as a trailblazer, setting the standard that the rest of the beauty and wellness industry strives to follow.
Aveda’s dedication to manufacturing with both functionality and responsibility in mind has contributed to an industry-wide shift toward transparency, allowing consumers to make informed decisions about their personal care investments and the power behind those decisions. From seed to salon, what does it really mean to be an Aveda Institute?
Transparency and Sourcing of a Vegan Beauty Brand
“Blind consumerism” is the coined term that describes the shift in the industry. An ingredient label used to be ignored, and now it is memorized. Understanding where products are coming from and what they are doing allows buyers to make conscious choices about beauty and wellness.
From seed to salon, Aveda has spearheaded transparency in sourcing and labeling. Online shoppers can see ingredient facts and sourcing practices in the product description. Additionally, Aveda uses blockchain technology.
What is blockchain technology? Blockchain technology is a universal database that creates a record of transactions that cannot be altered. This gives Aveda and consumers a viable tool. Consumers can now be assured that the journey of their product is socially responsible and of the highest quality.
80% of Vanilla is harvested in Madagascar, one of Aveda’s favorites. See how it gets into one of our favorite shampoos Invati Ultra Advanced.
- Harvested: Sava Region, Madagascar
- Collected: Sorted out the co-op for highest quality
- Processed: Grasse, France
- Manufactured: Blaine, MN
In all Aveda products, ingredients are derived strictly from plant and flower essences, Aveda is a 100% vegan brand. If you are unsure about an ingredient, Aveda keeps the door open with their Ingredient Glossary. Transparency is trust—see for yourself.
Corporate Environmental Responsibility and Manufacturing
Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are resources that have eternal longevity. Burning fossil fuels and carbon emissions, however, is not the case. Renewable energy is cleaner for the planet, provides jobs, and is reliable. Aveda has been the first in the beauty industry to do it, and here is how:
- 1989: First company to sign the Ceres Principles
- 2002: ISO 14001 Certification for environmental management systems and manufacturing operations
- 2007: Manufactured with 100% wind power
- 2020: 3.6-acre onsite solar array at headquarters
Environmental Responsibility at the Institute of Beauty and Wellness
On average, our institutes divert 10,000 pounds of waste from landfills and waterways each year. Our partnership with Green Circle Salons makes this possible by giving 95% of beauty waste a new life through recycling and repurposing. Last year, IBW and the rest of Green Circle Salons made big changes including:
- 1,284,437 pounds of beauty waste out of landfills and water ways
- 85,800 kWh of clean energy was generated
- 47 metric tons of carbon dioxide was avoided
The Institute of Beauty and Wellness emphasizes stopping beauty waste at the source. Read the Power of Vish and understand how conscious habits can eliminate beauty waste from the beginning.
Cruelty Free Beauty Products
Since Aveda’s beginning in 1978, they have pledged and committed to being cruelty-free. Their beauty products are tested on humans only.
Ask ourselves: How can we serve, nurture, and sustain the planet and its people in our business ventures?
Aveda is a Leaping Bunny–approved corporation, holding the highest standard of cruelty-free beauty certifications. To maintain this certification, companies must comply with an annual evaluation, a critical achievement in Aveda’s Mission of Care and commitment to transparency.
Aveda’s corporate headquarters in Blaine, Minnesota, is home to over 100,000 honeybees. In partnership with the University of Minnesota, the honeybees are cared for and protected. Aveda and the honeybees share homes on over 58 acres of certified wildlife habitat (National Wildlife Federation).
Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Efforts
703 million people across the globe do not have access to clean water. In developing countries, people walk over 3.5 miles a day just to collect water. Charity: water is a non-profit that brings clean water to these communities. Since their beginning, charity: water has completed over 150,000 water projects, serving over 20 million people.
The Aveda network has collaborated with charity: water since 2018. Through this partnership and Aveda’s contributions, we have seen:
- Over 3 million dollars raised
- Over 4 million dollars donated
- Over 160,000 lives impacted
Access to clean water is essential for life and hygiene. Beyond health, it allows children to attend school instead of spending hours collecting water. It also empowers women, who are often responsible for water collection, to pursue education, work, and leadership roles. With safe water, families can earn an income and better support their households and communities.
Clean water changes everything.
Social Responsibility at the Institute of Beauty and Wellness
At the Institute’s we channel fashion into fundraising; the Catwalk for Clean Water is an event where students create Avant Garde runway looks from unconventional materials and scraps. Guests and viewers can watch and interact with the runway looks, while all ticket sale proceeds go to charity: water.
We get to witness the powerful blend of creativity and sustainability in action—a glimpse of the larger impact within the Aveda network, where making clean water accessible to all is a driving mission.
Being at Aveda Institute means being a role model for sustainable beauty brands. From seed to salon Aveda has made transparency a priority, making quality products and services accessible not just in beauty and wellness but around the world. Blazing the trail for a better industry in sustainable sourcing, manufacturing, and philanthropic efforts.
The Aveda Institute Mission
At Aveda Institute, we strive to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility, not just in the world of beauty, but around the world.
