Interview with MANN & SCHRÖDER COSMETICS CEO Christine Steger

STEGER We can make the biggest difference in terms of our own products by choosing organic raw materials and sustainable packaging. Through extensive collaboration with experts, universities and colleges, we have been able to identify which raw materials and packaging materials are the main drivers of our emissions. We can now improve or replace these in a targeted manner to ensure that the end product is as sustainable as possible. In production, we are also doing everything we can to save water and energy, but as a manufacturing company, there are certain limits to what we can do. 

STEGER We have firmly anchored sustainability in our strategy, so we are continuously pursuing our goals in this area. Of course, the current crisis has not made things any easier and has slowed down many projects due to supply bottlenecks for raw materials and packaging. Nevertheless, we have been able to implement many changes in the last three crisis-ridden years, including the production of solid cosmetics and the development of our own packaging sources using recyclate from the yellow recycling sacks. And we will continue in the same vein this year, by implementing our sustainability projects step by step. 

STEGER On the one hand, we are driven by our conviction that we are doing something important for our planet and are therefore also prepared to bear higher costs. Not least because, as a company, we have a major responsibility to the environment and to people, and we are looking further ahead than just short-term profits – even though we must, of course, operate on an economically viable basis. However, an often overlooked fact is that sustainability can also save money – for example, by analyzing the entire value chain and identifying where we can make additional savings with regard to water, waste and energy. 

STEGER As far as packaging materials are concerned, as a cosmetics manufacturer we are oriented towards the food-safe standards, and for a long time it was hard to find recycled packaging of sufficient quality. For this reason – and because we recognized its importance – we established our own team of experts, sought out strong research partners and developed our own material sources. Many companies simply don’t have the time or the resources to do this. 

STEGER We are guided by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN) and have defined the key targets for our company and anchored them in our strategy. In addition, as a member of the "Forum Rezyklat" we are helping to drive sustainable packaging solutions. We have also joined the Science Based Targets initiative to help achieve the "1.5 degree" target. 

STEGER We have regular interdepartmental meetings on sustainability and our own initiatives, including in the areas of raw materials, packaging, water, energy and waste. Experts from the various departments exchange information at these meetings. Each of these individuals is responsible for implementing the sustainability goals that are firmly anchored in our strategy in his/her area. 

STEGER Make a start, do what you can, pursue your goals with conviction! That's how we've handled it since day one, and we've always involved our employees and made them aware of the issues. In our internal communications, we provide regular updates on where we currently stand and what we have already achieved. This is important to keep everyone on board and keep the projects moving forward.