Our Global Sustainability Strategy

“Sustainability” is a term you often hear these days. Ever wondered what it really means? Sustainability means meeting our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Our 2021 Global Sustainability and Social Impact Report reflects a 360-degree plan detailing the ways Mary Kay will continue to contribute to the greater good.


Why this? Why now?

From the day Mary Kay opened the doors to her company in 1963, our business has reflected the Golden Rule values of our founder. Mary Kay Ash was a woman of enormous business savvy who understood how to lead with her heart. Her commitment to Go-Give action shaped every decision. So while Mary Kay’s 2021 commitments to sustainable growth and transparency exemplify corporate responsibility, they also reflect a legacy of action we’ve been building for nearly 60 years.

Through our Pink Changing LivesSM initiatives, we donated millions of dollars to organizations around the world focused on supporting cancer research, protecting survivors from domestic abuse, beautifying our communities, empowering women and girls, as well as other social impact programs.

Through our historic Pink Doing GreenSM initiatives, new building projects achieved LEED certification, a reduced amount of operational waste went into landfills, over a million trees were planted to support carbon reduction efforts and we improved water efficiency in our manufacturing facilities.
We have committed to doing more.

The 2021 Global Sustainability and Social Impact Report outlines a 10-year plan that will guide our corporate decisions, shape our policies and create positive change. We hope you review the report to learn more about our journey, and join us in making this vision a reality.

PILLAR: Business Excellence

The values of Mary Kay Ash live on in the Company she built. As society’s needs have grown more challenging, our responsibility to do more has grown with them. We’re adopting a bold vision of  the ways we can contribute to a better world. Growing sustainably means making ethical decisions, being transparent about our business practices and taking accountability for our conduct as a global corporate citizen.
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Advocacy & Transparency
  • Our People

PILLAR: Product Stewardship

As a manufacturer of consumer products, Mary Kay is committed to reducing any negative effects of our products on the environment. This includes post-consumer management of our products and packaging, along with significant reductions in plastics.
  • Plastics & Packaging
  • Recycling & Circular Economy
  • Sustainable Sourcing

PILLAR: Responsible Manufacturing

Socially responsible manufacturing is the right thing to do, and it also makes good business sense. Mary Kay is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, finding sustainable solutions to operational waste, responsibly using water and protecting ethically sourced resources we all depend upon to live healthy lives.
  • Carbon
  • Water
  • Operational Waste

PILLAR: Women’s Empowerment

Mary Kay Ash was ahead of her time, all the time. A commitment to empowering women shaped every decision. It still does. Our 10-year plan includes efforts that remove barriers to economic freedom for women and amplify their voices in the decisions that affect them.
  • Equality
  • Economic Empowerment
  • Education

PILLAR: Social Impact

Our beloved founder called it the Go-Give spirit, the desire to give freely and perform heartfelt actions that would improve a life – improve the world. Our commitment to social impact is a promise that we’ll never stop giving wherever we can make a difference.
  • Cancer Research
  • Gender-Based Violence & Domestic Violence
  • Global Social Impact & Local Community Support

Mary Kay’s mission is unchanged: to enrich the lives of women and their families. As the challenges facing our community evolve, we’re evolving to meet them. One individual can make a difference. Together, we can change the world.