Skin and surface hygiene specialist, GOJO Industries-Europe, has launched the ‘Journey to Green’ manifesto.
This manifesto sets out specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives aimed at saving the planet, by creating real sustainable value, underpinned by four core principles and their respective pledges: plastics and circularity, clean chemistry, resilience and climate responsibility, and flourishing team GOJO.
Plastics and circularity
This pillar aims to integrate circularity principles into GOJO’s operations, with a focus on product design to solve the problem of single-use plastic and achieve zero waste. The first pledge of this pillar has already been realised and is also a first for the hygiene market: from May 2023, all of GOJO’s collapsible refill cartridges will be made of 100% recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (R-PET) – enabling the plastic material to be produced without exhausting natural resources and lowering carbon emissions.
This principle also includes a gradual replacement of virgin plastic with recycled plastic in the packaging produced, aiming to achieve a 30% reduction in the use of virgin plastic and using 100% recyclable plastic on all GOJO’s cartridges and bottles by 2025.
Clean chemistry
GOJO will continue developing innovative and safe hygiene solutions to promote greater health and wellbeing. 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. The company 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
This principle focuses on carbon-reduction with monitoring and reduction of emissions throughout the value chain. Having recently completed a carbon footprint assessment at the company’s French HQ and manufacturing plant, GOJO has set a target to become net zero by 2050 at the latest. It is committed to achieving this neutral balance sheet, through the Sciences Based Target Initiatives system. Its first steps to realise this goal include reducing energy consumption by 20% by 2025, solid waste by 20% by 2025, liquid waste by 20% by 2024, and water consumption for site operations by 20%.
Flourishing team GOJO
By placing people, the engine of change, at the heart of its organisation and its decisions, GOJO is committed to developing the leadership potential of each individual to ensure enhanced collective performance. As well as supporting its employees in the development of their careers and skills, it aims to achieve a score of 86/100 on the Gender Equality Index by 2024 and will be regularly monitoring staff satisfaction levels.
Chris Wakefield, V.P. European Marketing and Managing Director UK & Ireland, GOJO Industries-Europe, commented: “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 – and has been recognised by independent third parties, EcoVadis and Cradle to Cradle.
“Our manifesto strengthens this commitment, by defining clear, achievable goals that will make a real difference. We are proud to be the first company in the hand hygiene sector to use 100% R-PET in our refills and excited that this is just the first step on our journey to green.”
