Christine Esposito, Associate Editor12.04.14
Across the household and personal care industry, suppliers, finished goods manufacturers and retailers continue to make strides to make their products and business practices more sustainable. From corporate giants to mid-size players to start-ups, companies are on a constant quest to build a more sustainable—and responsible—business model whether they are selling lipstick, laundry detergent or disinfectants.
As we move into 2015, companies will continue to herald their progress—which will be made on many fronts from packaging to conservation of natural resources like water and palm oil to energy consumption to social responsibility.
Happi interviewed Sarah E. Lewis, Ph.D., managing director, research and integration at The Sustainability Consortium, which has more than 90 members including respected players in household and personal care, such as Church & Dwight, Colgate-Palmolive, L’Oréal, SealedAir, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, The Clorox Company, Johnson & Johnson and Earth Friendly Products. Happi asked Dr. Lewis about strides made in the household and personal care industry, where US consumers stand in terms of their actions and understanding of this complex issue, and more.
Happi: What are the biggest gains made in sustainability in the household and personal care industry? Can you cite specific examples of companies that are making great progress?
Lewis: As part of TSC Product Sustainability Toolkits for the Home and Personal Care Sector, TSC members have developed key performance indicators that address disclosure, hazard and risk. This approach has allowed progress in the recognition that taking action on addressing potential consumer exposure to chemicals is important whether one is using a hazard or risk approach. In addition, TSC members have worked to research and identify environmental and social hotspots across the life cycle of home and personal care product categories and have highlighted improvement opportunities that are supported by research and are actionable by the consumer goods industry. This is leadership in supporting this work and using the toolkits to prioritize issues and measure and report progress. Unilever is an active member of TSC, and their sustainability commitment has set the standard for the personal and household product industry. Other TSC members are also committed and the complete list can be found on the TSC webpage (www.sustainabilityconsortium.org/members/).
Happi: Where is the industry lagging?
Lewis: TSC includes social hotspots and metrics within its Toolkits. Overall, there is a lack of data to support using quantifiable metrics for social issues, so this is an area where more research is needed to provide quantitative metrics that can be used to measure progress on important social issues within the consumer goods supply chains. This includes home and personal care as well as all sectors—there is simply not as much progress in metrics and measurement for social issues as there is for environmental.
Happi: Are there any specific areas of sustainability that will become more “visible” or that we will hear more about in 2015 and beyond?
Lewis: Based on the research that supports the Product Sustainability Toolkits developed by TSC and the goals that are being set by such partner organizations as the Consumer Goods Industry, it looks like net zero deforestation is going to be a topic that will grow in importance across the home and personal care sector, as well as other sectors.
Happi: Where do today’s US consumers stand in their awareness and understanding of sustainability issues? And how much of their understanding is translating to consumption/purchasing habits?
Lewis: US consumers are increasing in their awareness of the social and environmental impact of the products they use, and the younger generation is focused on these issues, but it is not yet the majority of consumers. TSC members tell us that their customers want to trust where they shop and they want to trust the brands they like without having to research and understand all the complex details themselves. With this in mind, companies are working to increase their understanding of their supply chains to minimize risk and drive progress on goals, and then find ways to effectively communicate to customers and consumers.
Happi: Tell us about the latest work/endeavors from TSC and what’s on tap for the group next year?
Lewis: TSC is at an important inflection point in our development and impact. We have completed Product Sustainability Toolkits for 110 key consumer product categories identified by our members and stakeholders as those with greatest impact. TSC is continuing to create Toolkits on additional key categories while also focusing on implementation and member services that facilitate the use and integration of Product Sustainability Toolkits; the usability of the user interface; our next generation of tools that expand the product categories; additional systems to help drive effective sustainability decision making; and overall leadership initiatives that TSC can push forward with our diverse network of members and partners to advance the consumer product sustainability journey.
Here’s a look at recent progress made in sustainability—covering both environmental aspects and social responsibility—in the household and personal care categories.
SC Johnson has moved up 17 spots to No. 77 on the US EPA’s National Top 100 list of the largest green power users. SC Johnson is currently using nearly 75 million kilowatt-hours of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 43% of the organization’s electricity use in the US.
“Focusing on green power use has long been a priority at SC Johnson,” said Kelly M. Semrau, senior vice president, global corporate affairs, communication and sustainability. “In the past decade alone, we have undertaken renewable energy initiatives around the globe, including wind power, solar and cogeneration.”
According to SC Johnson’s just released 2014 Sustainability Report, the company has already met two of its 2016 goals: reducing greenhouse gas emissions from global manufacturing sites 50.5% since 2000 versus a goal of 48%; and reducing its global manufacturing waste 71% since 2000 versus a goal of 70%.
Looking to move sustainable practices into consumers’ everyday lives, Walmart has rolled out CleanPath, billed as a premium line of refillable products including foaming hand soap and sanitizer and multi-surface, bathroom and glass cleaners. The line—sold exclusively at 2,000 Walmart stores and 200 Sam’s Clubs—features the Replenish Refill System.
Procter & Gamble established a dozen sustainability goals in 2010 toward its vision of 100% renewable energy use, 100% renewable or recycled materials for all products and packaging, and zero consumer and manufacturing waste going to landfills. In addition to counting 70 zero-waste manufacturing sites, P&G says energy consumption, water use, C02 emissions and truck transportation are all down significantly, and its use of renewable energy and the number of virgin-materials certifications are up substantially.
This Fall, P&G announced a greater focus on water conservation as part of its 2020 goals. Between 2002 and 2012, P&G said it reduced water use at manufacturing plants by 58% per unit of production. Moving forward, the firm wants to reduce water used in its manufacturing facilities by an added 20% per unit of production with a specific focus on conservation efforts at facilities located in water-stressed regions.
On the personal care side, Aveda has long been a leader in sustainability. For example, the company purchases Green e-Certified renewable energy credits to offset electricity used in its North American retail stores, and purchases credits and offsets for all electricity used in its headquarters, company-owned training institutes and sales offices, in addition to offsets for the emissions from consumer use of its aerosol hairsprays. In fiscal 2014, Aveda was honored by the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Product Innovation Institute with the “Legacy Leaders” award in part for its achievements in increasing the reusability of materials. The company received C2C certification for seven of its products, including its hair care system.
In terms of social responsibility, companies like Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, which like Aveda is owned by Estée Lauder, continue to do more for the greater good. For example, the Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful Campaign for Women and Girls, created in March 2013, has already donated $200,000 to Girl Rising, a global social action campaign that educates young girls and helps break the cycle of poverty. Now, in North America, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics will donate 100% of the suggested retail price of its Pretty Powerful Campaign products in FY2014 and FY2015 to Girl Rising.
As we move into 2015, companies will continue to herald their progress—which will be made on many fronts from packaging to conservation of natural resources like water and palm oil to energy consumption to social responsibility.
Happi interviewed Sarah E. Lewis, Ph.D., managing director, research and integration at The Sustainability Consortium, which has more than 90 members including respected players in household and personal care, such as Church & Dwight, Colgate-Palmolive, L’Oréal, SealedAir, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, The Clorox Company, Johnson & Johnson and Earth Friendly Products. Happi asked Dr. Lewis about strides made in the household and personal care industry, where US consumers stand in terms of their actions and understanding of this complex issue, and more.
Happi: What are the biggest gains made in sustainability in the household and personal care industry? Can you cite specific examples of companies that are making great progress?
Lewis: As part of TSC Product Sustainability Toolkits for the Home and Personal Care Sector, TSC members have developed key performance indicators that address disclosure, hazard and risk. This approach has allowed progress in the recognition that taking action on addressing potential consumer exposure to chemicals is important whether one is using a hazard or risk approach. In addition, TSC members have worked to research and identify environmental and social hotspots across the life cycle of home and personal care product categories and have highlighted improvement opportunities that are supported by research and are actionable by the consumer goods industry. This is leadership in supporting this work and using the toolkits to prioritize issues and measure and report progress. Unilever is an active member of TSC, and their sustainability commitment has set the standard for the personal and household product industry. Other TSC members are also committed and the complete list can be found on the TSC webpage (www.sustainabilityconsortium.org/members/).
Happi: Where is the industry lagging?
Lewis: TSC includes social hotspots and metrics within its Toolkits. Overall, there is a lack of data to support using quantifiable metrics for social issues, so this is an area where more research is needed to provide quantitative metrics that can be used to measure progress on important social issues within the consumer goods supply chains. This includes home and personal care as well as all sectors—there is simply not as much progress in metrics and measurement for social issues as there is for environmental.
Happi: Are there any specific areas of sustainability that will become more “visible” or that we will hear more about in 2015 and beyond?
Lewis: Based on the research that supports the Product Sustainability Toolkits developed by TSC and the goals that are being set by such partner organizations as the Consumer Goods Industry, it looks like net zero deforestation is going to be a topic that will grow in importance across the home and personal care sector, as well as other sectors.
Happi: Where do today’s US consumers stand in their awareness and understanding of sustainability issues? And how much of their understanding is translating to consumption/purchasing habits?
Lewis: US consumers are increasing in their awareness of the social and environmental impact of the products they use, and the younger generation is focused on these issues, but it is not yet the majority of consumers. TSC members tell us that their customers want to trust where they shop and they want to trust the brands they like without having to research and understand all the complex details themselves. With this in mind, companies are working to increase their understanding of their supply chains to minimize risk and drive progress on goals, and then find ways to effectively communicate to customers and consumers.
Happi: Tell us about the latest work/endeavors from TSC and what’s on tap for the group next year?
Lewis: TSC is at an important inflection point in our development and impact. We have completed Product Sustainability Toolkits for 110 key consumer product categories identified by our members and stakeholders as those with greatest impact. TSC is continuing to create Toolkits on additional key categories while also focusing on implementation and member services that facilitate the use and integration of Product Sustainability Toolkits; the usability of the user interface; our next generation of tools that expand the product categories; additional systems to help drive effective sustainability decision making; and overall leadership initiatives that TSC can push forward with our diverse network of members and partners to advance the consumer product sustainability journey.
Here’s a look at recent progress made in sustainability—covering both environmental aspects and social responsibility—in the household and personal care categories.
SC Johnson has moved up 17 spots to No. 77 on the US EPA’s National Top 100 list of the largest green power users. SC Johnson is currently using nearly 75 million kilowatt-hours of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 43% of the organization’s electricity use in the US.
“Focusing on green power use has long been a priority at SC Johnson,” said Kelly M. Semrau, senior vice president, global corporate affairs, communication and sustainability. “In the past decade alone, we have undertaken renewable energy initiatives around the globe, including wind power, solar and cogeneration.”
According to SC Johnson’s just released 2014 Sustainability Report, the company has already met two of its 2016 goals: reducing greenhouse gas emissions from global manufacturing sites 50.5% since 2000 versus a goal of 48%; and reducing its global manufacturing waste 71% since 2000 versus a goal of 70%.
Looking to move sustainable practices into consumers’ everyday lives, Walmart has rolled out CleanPath, billed as a premium line of refillable products including foaming hand soap and sanitizer and multi-surface, bathroom and glass cleaners. The line—sold exclusively at 2,000 Walmart stores and 200 Sam’s Clubs—features the Replenish Refill System.
Procter & Gamble established a dozen sustainability goals in 2010 toward its vision of 100% renewable energy use, 100% renewable or recycled materials for all products and packaging, and zero consumer and manufacturing waste going to landfills. In addition to counting 70 zero-waste manufacturing sites, P&G says energy consumption, water use, C02 emissions and truck transportation are all down significantly, and its use of renewable energy and the number of virgin-materials certifications are up substantially.
This Fall, P&G announced a greater focus on water conservation as part of its 2020 goals. Between 2002 and 2012, P&G said it reduced water use at manufacturing plants by 58% per unit of production. Moving forward, the firm wants to reduce water used in its manufacturing facilities by an added 20% per unit of production with a specific focus on conservation efforts at facilities located in water-stressed regions.
On the personal care side, Aveda has long been a leader in sustainability. For example, the company purchases Green e-Certified renewable energy credits to offset electricity used in its North American retail stores, and purchases credits and offsets for all electricity used in its headquarters, company-owned training institutes and sales offices, in addition to offsets for the emissions from consumer use of its aerosol hairsprays. In fiscal 2014, Aveda was honored by the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Product Innovation Institute with the “Legacy Leaders” award in part for its achievements in increasing the reusability of materials. The company received C2C certification for seven of its products, including its hair care system.
In terms of social responsibility, companies like Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, which like Aveda is owned by Estée Lauder, continue to do more for the greater good. For example, the Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful Campaign for Women and Girls, created in March 2013, has already donated $200,000 to Girl Rising, a global social action campaign that educates young girls and helps break the cycle of poverty. Now, in North America, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics will donate 100% of the suggested retail price of its Pretty Powerful Campaign products in FY2014 and FY2015 to Girl Rising.