The Last Resort Program
The Last Resort Program was initiated earlier this year, will help the Estée Lauder Companies significantly reduce the cost of destroying obsolete and excess items while assisting those in need.

Each year, through the normal course of business, we are left with obsolete and excess inventory. These products, while not saleable, are high quality and usable. This inventory has to go somewhere and in the past that has meant destroying it, at a significant cost to the company. The Last Resort program takes this inventory - primarily personal care items - and distributes it to people in need. Personal care items are valuable to men and women in homeless shelters, gift sets can be raffled and the proceeds used to benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and excess collateral (unused displays, bins, boxes and baskets) can be used by budding artists in our inner city schools.

Under this program, all product destined for destruction is re-examined to determine if it is still usable and, if so, where. Usable product is then redirected rather than destroyed. The cost of destruction is saved and there is no cost incurred with redirection.

Community Assistance Programs such as homeless shelters, battered women's shelters and Fresh Start programs receive personal care items such as soaps, body wash and moisturizers. The Pink Ribbon committees receive gift sets and cosmetic bags to raffle or sell with all proceeds benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Materials for the Arts and other non-profit cultural enhancement organizations receive excess collateral materials. And, to encourage employees to partake in company sponsored wellness programs including blood pressure, skin cancer, cholesterol and prostrate screening, participating employees receive items such as obsolete "gifts with purchase". In the spirit of our company mission "bring the best to everyone we touch" we are proud to be helping the community through the "Last Resort" program.

Computer Recycling & Recover
Throughout the organization, The Company has set up computer recycling programs to bring technology and Internet access to children and their families who could not otherwise afford them. Computers are reconditioned for use in public schools or are donated to families in need. Obsolete computers are broken down into their components and then recycled. For more information, please contact Per Scholas or Computers for Schools.

Pine Barren Reforestation
Esteé Lauder Companies has partnered with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to hold tree plantings to help reforest areas of the Long Island Pine Barrens that have been destroyed by unnatural causes. Over 2,000 trees have been planted per year since 1999.

Weekend volunteer efforts by Estée Lauder employees and their families have helped restore the Pine Barrens, a beautiful wooded area protecting the aquifer system that provides Long Island with clean drinking water. The Pine Barrens also help offset the carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere.

Cooperative Learning
In 1995, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. began a cooperative recycling program with the North Country Learning Center (part of Eastern Suffolk BOCES (New York)). Developmentally challenged students unpack, separate, and sort various materials (plastics, paper, paperboard, corrugate) into recyclable categories. Items are forwarded to their respective recycling outfits where the material is recovered. This cooperative recycling project provides opportunities for the students to learn, practice and reinforce work-related skills, which will prepare them for their post secondary outcome.