Kickstart: Respecting 'planetary boundaries' isn't about science fiction

Personal care brand L'Oréal SA is going beyond packaging in a sustainability program it's calling "L'Oréal for the future." Rather than just talking about making more recyclable packaging or eliminating plastics (although it does say 100 percent of its packaging will be from recycled or bio-based sources by 2030), the company says that by 2025 it will use 100 percent renewable energy at its sites.

The French supplier of soaps, shampoos, makeup and other items said it's about respecting the planet's "boundaries."

"It is no longer enough for companies to reduce their environmental impact with objectives that are 'self-set,'" the company states in introducing its new objectives. "At L'Oréal, our commitment is to ensure that our activities are respectful of the so-called 'Planetary Boundaries,' meaning what the planet can withstand, as defined by environmental science."

Also by 2030, the company said it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent for its finished products.

L'Oréal said it has set aside 150 million euros ($167.2 million) to address "urgent social and environmental issues."

The state of Ohio has $20 million in grant money to help 68 companies expand their existing facilities to make personal protective equipment.

Details on the program and the names of the participating companies weren't immediately available, but Cleveland.com says it will provide up to $500,000, create 829 new jobs and maintain another 1,133 jobs. The bulk of the funds are going to businesses with 25 or fewer employees.

The protective equipment – masks, shields, gowns and other items – are important not only for health care workers but also companies working to reopen.

"This is an important part of the the economic strategy that supports the health strategy that keeps people employed," Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said.

In another sign that Americans are trying to resume "normal" life, more than 120 environmental groups are calling on food delivery services to get behind a program to ask consumers if they want plastic utensils along with their takeout meals.

As Steve Toloken writes, the idea is to reduce demand for disposable items by only dropping them into delivery bags if the customer wants a spoon or fork rather than automatically supplying items that will end up being thrown out and never recycled.

It makes sense to me. I rarely use the fork that comes with my takeout Thai food, and I already have several in a spare drawer in case I ever want one. And if restaurants can cut back on their expenses for takeout services, the option to skip the service items may provide some relief, even if it's only a small cost.

Sure, maybe some kids will miss out on an opportunity to turn a spork into a Pixar movie character, but it seems like an easy step to take. This isn't a "slippery slope" to eliminating those products, just a sensible compromise that stops those items from going into the landfill.