Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 10th October 2024 Issue no. 1133
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GOJO's Journey to Green
“As a responsible and caring company, sustainability is part of our legacy, as well as our commitment to the future. Our passion to supply products that are safe, effective and good for both people and planet forms part of our DNA. We are proud to be making changes to lower our environmental impact, and in doing so, helping our customers reach their own green goals too.
"We believe that the road to sustainability is just that - steps to building a brighter future. This is why our recently launched manifesto is entitled 'Journey to Green'. It sets out clear, achievable goals that will make a real difference and is underpinned by four core principles: plastics and circularity, clean chemistry, resilience and climate responsibility, and flourishing team GOJO.”
Plastics and Circularity
To combat the accumulation of plastic waste in our oceans and terrestrial environments, GOJO is striving to integrate circularity principles into its operations, with a focus on product design to solve the problem of single-use plastic - and, ultimately, achieve zero waste. Its aim is to achieve a 30% reduction in the use of virgin plastic and use 100% recyclable plastic on all its cartridges and bottles by 2025.
Excellent progress has already been made: GOJO tells us it is proud to be the first company in the hygiene sector to use 100% post-consumer recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (R-PET) in its collapsible refill cartridges. These have passed extensive testing, providing assurance that using R-PET does not impact the efficacy of the products or cause any other issues for end users. Customers will benefit from a more sustainable refill, helping to support their own green goals.
Some of the benefits of this approach are:
- reduction in the use of virgin plastic
- time and labour savings, due to larger refills
- fewer refills in the waste stream, since each refill contains more product*
- lower carbon footprint
- all at the same consistent cost
Clean Chemistry
The presence of ecotoxic chemicals in natural environments is harmful to both plants and animals. GOJO is making its chemistry cleaner by reducing the environmental impact of its formulas and improving their biodegradability, all while ensuring they're safe as possible for people.
The manufacturer’s specific objectives include ensuring that 100% of cosmetic formulas qualify as biodegradable according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) principle 301 by 2030. GOJO also plans to remove any sensitising fragrances and offer alternatives that avoid the use of biocidal and surfactant agents, which could potentially be of concern for the environment and safety, for 100% of its formulas by 2025.
Resilience and Climate Responsibility
Having recently completed a carbon footprint assessment at its French HQ and manufacturing plant, GOJO has set its sights on carbon neutrality and is aiming to become net zero by 2050 at the latest.
It is actively reducing the solid and liquid waste its operations produce. Its specific objectives include: 20% reduction in energy consumption by 2025, 20% reduction of solid waste by 2025, 20% reduction in liquid waste by 2024, and 20% reduction in water consumption for site operations.
GOJO has also opened a new state-of-the-art plant in Croissy Beaubourg, France. Designed to reduce the carbon footprint during the manufacturing process, it minimises product wastage, water and energy consumption. Its bespoke 'Cleaning-in-Place' systems increase efficiencies, whilst also guaranteeing the highest possible levels of hygiene. Additionally, thanks to the plant’s location, the supply chain is shortened and there is a reduction in the need to fly and ship products, further minimising emissions.
Flourishing Team GOJO
“People are at the heart of our journey to green, so we are passionate about helping each individual to develop their careers and skills,” says GOJO. “By improving working quality and safety for our teams, and by striving for equality and empowerment for all, we're investing in a better future.” Specific targets, we understand, include achieving a score of 86/100 on the Gender Equality Index by 2024, whilst staff satisfaction levels will be regularly monitored.
Independent Accreditations
Sustainable thinking is now a fundamental part of how companies behave, trade and grow and GOJO’s commitment to this has also been recognised by independent third parties:
- EcoVadis Accreditation. Last year, GOJO was awarded a Silver Medal by EcoVadis, the world's largest and most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings with a global network of more than 85,000 rated companies. This accolade acknowledges the manufacturer as a growing leader in sustainability and the score achieved places GOJO in the top 25% of businesses worldwide for environmental, social, and ethical performance.
“However, whilst we are delighted to be awarded silver, our journey doesn't stop there. We're aiming for Gold in the next evaluation!” says GOJO.
- Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Program ( https://c2ccertified.org/the-standard ) the world's most advanced standard for safe, circular and responsible materials and products. More than 350 global products connected to GOJO’s PURELL range achieved Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold with a Platinum level Material Health rating, the highest material health rating possible.
- EU Ecolabel Certification. Many products in the GOJO skincare range are European Ecolabel certified, signifying that they have met high-level requirements for limiting the impact they have on the environment and health, without reducing their performance.
* ECOLOGO Certification. PURELL Healthy Soap is ECOLOGO Certified, meaning that it meets high standards across a range of criteria, including the emission of air and water pollutants, energy consumption, management of residual materials and use of fibre.
“Our 'Journey to Green' is just the beginning - it may be a long road ahead of us, but we are determined to making changes to realise a brighter, more sustainable future,” promises GOJO.
For more information, watch this short video or call +44 (0)1908 588444, email [email protected], or visit https://www.gojo.eu/uk
*Compared to leading competitors
5th October 2023