Seventh Generation Advances Key Sustainability Goals

BURLINGTON, VT, August 05, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Seventh Generation, the nation’s number one brand of renewable, bio-based consumer products, has unveiled its 2013 Corporate Consciousness Report. The company’s latest sustainability performance review examines the progress it’s made on its objectives to Nurture Nature, Enhance Health, Transform Commerce, and Build Community as it works toward the ambitious end-of-decade goals set forth in its 2020 Roadmap.

The new report adheres to the Global Reporting Initiative G4 guidelines, a leading, globally relevant framework which require a new higher standard of transparency. Seventh Generation is an early champion of the revised guidelines that aren’t scheduled to be introduced until 2016. Among the reports highlights are a series of supply chain changes that significantly boost the renewability of the company’s many products. Chief among this is Forest Stewardship Council sustainability certification for 62% of its wood pulp consumption, a groundbreaking industry-first that dramatically exceeds the year’s goal of 50% certification. Additionally in 2013, all products eligible for the USDA’s Certified Bio-Based Product labeling received the program’s seal, and the introduction of new bottle caps made from 50% post-consumer recycled plastic led the way to a 25% company-wide reduction in the use of virgin plastic. The company also reports reducing its greenhouse gas emissions per metric ton of product by 11%.

Socially, 2013 was a banner year at Seventh Generation as well. The company’s community volunteering program, which encourages employees to devote work time to local causes, had a 100% participation rate and total hours donated were 40% above the year’s target. The firm also moved from #11 to #3 on Vermont’s “Best Places to Work” survey; made financial and product donations of $225,000 to non-profit organizations working to make the world a better place; and led efforts to reform chemical safety laws on both a national and state level.

Seventh Generation’s industry influence continues to grow as well. In an effort to reform the wasteful bottled water market, the company purchased bobble, a leading reusable bottle maker for which the company will supply wide distribution. It also developed a supplier code of conduct, launched sustainability collaborations with its retail partners and Tier 2 suppliers, and became a founding signatory of the Climate Declaration urging federal climate change action.

“What I like best about our new report is that it shows us refusing to rest on our laurels,” said Corporate Consciousness manager Ashley Orgain. “We’re still making meaningful progress despite the fact that each year progress gets harder to make. We’ve picked all the low-hanging environmental fruit—now we’re reaching for the high stuff. That makes any achievement pretty remarkable yet alone the strides we saw in 2013. And that’s really our message; every person and each business can live sustainably. You just have to take that first step and then keep on walking.”

To read the 2013 Seventh Generation Corporate Consciousness Report, visit www.seventhgeneration.com/2013-report

ABOUT SEVENTH GENERATION
Seventh Generation is committed to being the most trusted brand of household and personal-care products for your living home. Our products are healthy solutions for the air, surfaces, fabrics, pets and people within your home -- and for the community and environment outside of it. Seventh Generation also offers baby products that are safe for your children and the planet. The company derives its name from the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy that states, "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." Every time you use a Seventh Generation product you are making a difference by saving natural resources, reducing pollution, and making the world a better place for this and the next seven generations.

For information on Seventh Generation cleaning, paper, baby and feminine personal care products, to find store locations, and explore the company's website visit www.seventhgeneration.com.