SUSTAINABILITY THE YEAR OF UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS: 2020-21 - GROVE COLLABORATIVE 2021 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THE YEAR OF UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS: 2020-21
SUSTAINABILITY
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 1
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION The Year of Uncomfortable Truths Page 04 CARBON Introduction Pages 45-46
Our Goals Page 05 FOOTPRINT Goals and Milestones Page 47
Business as a Force for Good Pages 06-07 Our Strategy Pages 48-49
2030 Science-Based Target Page 50
BEYOND PLASTIC™ Introduction Page 09
Carbon Offsets Pages 51-52
Goals and Milestones Pages 10-11
Circular Business Models Page 53
Tracking our Progress Pages 12-14
Plastic Neutrality Page 15 JUSTICE, EQUITY, Introduction Pages 55-56
Products and Packaging Page 16 DIVERSITY & Goals and Milestones Page 57
Our Roadmap Pages 17-21 INCLUSION Vendor Diversity and Inclusion Page 58
Progress and Partners Pages 22-23 Teams and Initiatives Pages 59-60
Case Study: Peach Not Plastic Pages 24-25 Benefits, Health and Safety Page 61
Memberships and Advocacy Page 26 Opportunities and Training Page 62
Social Compliance Policy Page 63
FORESTS & FIBER Introduction Pages 28-29
Giving and Volunteering Page 64
Goals and Milestones Pages 30-31
Our Strategy Pages 32-33 APPENDIX Plastic Metrics Pages 66-70
Products and Packaging Page 34 ESG Metrics Pages 71-78
SASB Reporting Pages 79-82
HEALTHIER HOMES Introduction Page 36
U.N. SDGs Pages 83-85
Goals and Milestones Page 37
The Grove Standard Page 38
Our Anti-Ingredient List Page 39
Certifications Pages 40-42
Advocacy and Legislation Page 43 G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 2
INTRODUCTION What does it mean to be a sustainable company? G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 3
INTRODUCTION
2020: The Year of Uncomfortable Truths
As sustainability reports become standard • What does it mean to be a Our pursuit of these answers will lead us
practice, we raise the question of responsibility. sustainable company? to drive progress within our industry. The
Are we doing enough? Increasing transparency consumer packaged goods market is tied
is an undeniably positive change, but how can • How can our business be a force to unintentional depletion in the name of
we make an impact in an industry where many for good? convenience, coupling growth with single-
of the world’s largest companies set insufficient use plastic and carbon emissions.
• Why do we care so much
goals that will be reached decades too late?
about plastic?
How can we challenge companies—and global Our goal is to re-imagine household
markets—to make bolder changes towards • Can we decouple growth from essentials as a force for positive
more urgent action? emissions? impact and regeneration, moving from
sustainability 1.0—“doing less bad”—to
At Grove, we know that you’re never too small • How can we empower our sustainability 2.0—“doing true good.”
to lead an industry—and we’re inspired by customers to lighten their
the changes our customers have made, and footprint at home? The hard work ahead includes a better
even demanded. This year, we want to share understanding of materials, intersectional
• What does it mean to be an
the key questions that guide our journey and environmentalism and environmental
inclusive employer?
keep us honest about whether we’re doing justice—not just planting trees but
enough in the face of pressing crises. The path • How do we broaden the reach of preserving sacred places, making our
of progress will always continue; there’s no our products? products accessible to not just those who
point of completion—and no perfect company. seek them out, and continuing to push
Accepting this, we’re sharing those questions • Where else can we push our against the inevitability of plastic. Because
that define our path. industry? sustainability is the only future.
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 4
Our Goals
Grove’s Goals Right Now Up Next
Beyond Plastic 100% PLASTIC NEUTRAL 100% PLASTIC FREE BY 2025
Every time you receive plastic from us, we remove the same amount of ocean and We’re working hard to remove plastic from everything we make and sell.
nature-bound plastic waste.
Reforestation DEFORESTATION-FREE SUPPLY CHAIN 1 MILLION TREES & 100% FSC® CERTIFIED PAPER PRODUCTS BY 2022
Every purchase of Seedling supports the Arbor Day Foundation in We’ll plant 1 million trees in the next year, but we won’t stop there. We’re actively
reforesting the U.S. We’ve planted over 635,000 trees to date! exploring new ways to support conservation and regenerative agriculture, and
we’ll reach 100% FSC® Certified paper products by the end of 2022.
Carbon Footprint CARBONNEUTRAL® CERTIFIED COMPANY NET ZERO BY 2030
Our operations and business activities, including facilities and shipments, are We’re committed to taking meaningful climate action. We have set
all carbon neutral—and in alignment with our Scope 1-2 science based targets. Science-Based Targets for scopes 1-3 and will be net zero by 2030.
Healthier Homes NO HARMFUL CHEMICALS SAFER PRODUCTS EVERYWHERE
100% of our products meet our Grove Ingredient Standards, 100% are free We advocate for legislation requiring ingredient transparency and increasing
of harsh chemicals, and 100% of our Grove Co. cleaning and personal care standards around chemical safety within consumer products and cosmetics.
fragrances are transparent.
Justice & Equity +$350,000 INCREASE IN SOURCING FROM BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES 15% OF SHELF SPACE TO BIPOC-OWNED BRANDS BY 2022
We can make a meaningful impact by engendering diversity in our industry. We’ve made a pledge to allocate 15% of our shelf space to products from
We exceeded our goal to source an additional $250,000 of products and goods BIPOC-owned vendors and brand partners by the end of 2022. As of Q2, 2021,
from Black-owned businesses through 2021 by over $100,000. we’re at 9%.
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 5
INTRODUCTION
How can our business
be a force for good?
To start, we’re proud to be a certified B Corp.
Grove aims to create household and personal B Corp community, and we’re committed to
care essentials that make a positive impact— sharing our feedback as we continue to
our ability to foster positive change is advance our goals.
fundamental to our business, not just an
afterthought to profits or a way to mitigate In 2020, we completed our third B Impact
negative impacts. To simply accept the model of Assessment, a triannual requirement to
shareholder primacy (maximizing financial profits maintain our B Corporation certification. Grove
with no consideration for social or environmental faces unique and specific challenges based on
outcomes) is counter to who we are as a the scope of products we develop and curate,
company, so we sought a better fit. the complexity of our supply chain and the
growth of our business. Through the assessment
B Corporations are companies that acknowledge process, we identified areas of strength and
principles that seek to maximize business leadership, as well as areas of improvement.
objectives beyond the sole objective of Reference our public scorecard here, with
maximizing shareholder returns. This extremely highlights included on the next page.
rigorous standard incorporates all stakeholders
including the environment, workers and
communities. We’re proud to be part of the
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 6
Image: Grove Co.
BUSINESS AS A FORCE FOR GOOD (CONTINUED)
Areas of Leadership
• Strong Mission & Engagement: Our mission, • Product Accessibility and Impact on
ethics, accountability and transparency are Underserved Populations: We strive to
reflected in every decision we make as an diversify our product offerings to underserved
organization. populations by entering new sales channels.
• Civic Engagement & Giving: We seek nonprofit
partners that support Grove’s sustainability
pillars around human and environmental Public Benefit Corporation
health and the ability of our business to be a Grove is a public benefit corporation. This
force for positive impact. means that we have a legal duty to manage
the Company in a manner that balances our
• Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Our
stockholders’ financial interests, the best
purpose is to cultivate a more equitable
interests of those materially affected by our
and inclusive workplace for employees from
conduct (including customers, employees,
diverse backgrounds.
partners and the communities in which we
operate) and the specific public benefit for
Opportunities for Improvement which we are organized: the development,
• Environmental Management: In addition to promotion and distribution of consumer
our waste reduction programs, we continue to products as a positive force for human and
seek reductions in the footprint of our offices environmental health. As a B Corporation and
and fulfillment centers. Public Benefit Corporation, our work is never
• Career Development: We value a culture done. We continue to evolve as a company to
where our employees can grow and advance achieve positive change through our business.
and continue to seek effective ways for our
employees to grow professionally within our
organization.
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 7 Image: Peach not Plastic by Grove
BEYOND PLASTIC Why do we care so much about plastic? G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 8
INTRODUCTION: BEYOND PLASTIC
We are drowning.
Who asked for packaging to last 500 years?
We’re seeking new solutions, now.
Until the very recent past, consumers have Given that 76 million pounds of plastic packaging
never been given a choice between household is created every day in the U.S. and only 9% is
essentials and packaging that won’t last for recycled, we do not feel that our industry is
centuries. Clean hair, clean teeth and clean working fast enough or meaningfully attempting
counters have required a major negative to address the plastic crisis. While more work is
environmental impact—locking customers into needed, solutions are available—but unrealistic
a habit of disengagement through an artificial goals about recycled content in the absence of
standoff between convenience and sustainability. recycling infrastructure will not get us there. If
anything, they will hold us back from adapting to
If you weren’t willing to make your own deodorant the solutions that we need.
using baking soda, you were stuck with a lifetime’s
worth of empty, non-reusable, non-refillable, Grove exists to create an alternative solution,
non-actually-recyclable deodorant containers. where home essentials support environmental
solutions rather than environmental destruction.
The consumer packed goods industry has Single-use plastic is not a part of that equation.
been built on the back of single-use, seemingly
disposable plastic. Profits mean pollution.
Image: For more information, watch Humanity’s Impact: How many plastic bottles do we
produce? by Studio Birthplace. G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 9
GOALS & MILESTONES
Plastic Free by 2025 COMING SOON
Reduce Plastic Per Grove Order
Our goal is for everything we make and sell to be 100% plastic free by 2025, but we know it In 2020, our customers received almost one pound of plastic in every
won’t be easy. We expect that primary packaging will be plastic-free with rare exceptions. We’re shipped Grove box. Through partnership with our merchandising and
committed to working with our family of values-aligned, third-party brands to make progress as marketing teams, we aim to educate customers on how to decouple
plastic from growth, shipping less plastic for every pound of product.
an industry—rather than charting this course on our own. Success for us doesn’t mean chasing
down the last 1% of plastic or removing a lot of plastic-containing products from our site in
Share Industry-Leading Plastic Metrics
2024 so that people can buy them elsewhere—it means guiding our industry towards systemic
As of 2020, plastic and carbon offsets are built into our costs. In
change. What progress looks like will depend on take-back and refillable options as well as this sense, plastic as a percent of revenue needs to decrease for us
new innovations, but at this point, setting a bold goal feels like our best way to advocate for to become more profitable—and, as we move away from plastic,
meaningful change. our business becomes more profitable from a shareholder and
environmental perspective. Just as many companies have created
an internal carbon price, we have an internal plastic price. For every
ounce of plastic we sell, we pay a cost to our Plastic Neutral program.
Roadmap to 2023
By the end of 2023 or sooner, all Grove-owned brands will contain no
more than 10% plastic, and no single-use, virgin plastic packaging. As
of 6/30/21 we reached:
30% 15% 12%
OF GROVE OWNED
PLASTIC FREE* PLASTIC FREE*
BRAND PRODUCTS
ACROSS OUR SITE THIRD-PARTY BRANDS
ARE PLASTIC FREE*
Image: Grove Co.
* Percent of total products
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 10
containing plastic across all SKUs.RIGHT NOW UP NEXT
Plastic Neutral Plastic Free
At Grove, our Plastic Neutral program ensures that for every Grove exists to transform the products you use in your home into a force for
ounce of plastic we sell, we remove the same amount of ocean human and environmental good, and plastic isn’t part of that mission. Beyond
and nature-bound plastic waste through our partnerships with Plastic is our plan to solve the single-use plastic crisis for home and personal care
Plastic Bank® and rePurpose Global. products. Today, we’re 100% Plastic Neutral. By 2025, we’ll be plastic-free.
STE P 1 ST EP 2 OUR OUR OUR
Measure Remove Vision Mission Commitment
We weigh and record With Plastic Bank® We’re looking to We envision a world Beyond Plastic is our
the amount of and rePurpose Global, disrupt the existing where plastic is initiative to solve the single-
plastic in every we recover an ounce plastic model, reduce eliminated through use plastic crisis for home
product. Using those of ocean and nature- overconsumption and redesign, innovation and personal care products.
numbers, we calculate bound plastic for every provide zero-waste or new delivery Today, we’re Plastic Neutral
how much plastic we’re ounce of plastic we sell. solutions for our models. with an ambition to be
sending in each order. customers. plastic-free by 2025.
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 11TRACKING OUR PROGRESS
GOAL GOAL
Plastic
Footprint
2021 2020 2021 2020
2,582,976 lbs 15% 13%
OF PRODUCTS ARE PLASTIC AS A PERCENT OF
TOTAL PLASTIC WEIGHT IN 1H2021
Originally published in 2020, Grove’s PLASTIC-FREE IN 1H2021 TOTAL PRODUCT WEIGHT IN 1H2021
Total weight of plastic shipped from 1/1/21
Plastic Scorecard is the first of its through 6/30/21, including every brand
COMPARED TO 11% IN 1H2020 COMPARED TO 7% IN 1H2020
kind to publicly report on our total We continue to seek alternate We aim to reduce this metric
and every product we sell at Grove. This
product and packaging formats by reducing or eliminating
plastic footprint. We’re using these is an increase of 42,611 lbs compared to
to reduce products in our unnecessary plastic packaging
disclosures to challenge our industry 7/1 - 12/31/20, and an increase of 118,715 lbs
assortment that contain plastic. in products we sell.
to track and publish their plastic compared to the same period last year.
footprints. As we work towards our Our goal is to decouple business
goal of becoming plastic-free by growth from our plastic footprint by
introducing more plastic-free products GOAL GOAL GOAL
2025, these are the baseline totals
into our assortment.
for plastic used site-wide at
0.75 lbs
grove.com, including all the brands
we sell. Based on data collected 2021 2020 2021 2020 2021 2020
AVERAGE PLASTIC PER
thus far, all numbers shown compare
the first half of 2021 (1H2021: 1/1-
SHIPMENT IN 1H2021
COMPARED TO .71 LBS 1H2020
15% 53% 11%
6/31/2021) to the first half of 2020 POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED PLASTIC PACKAGING VS. OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING
We hope to reduce this number through PLASTIC PRODUCT IN 1H2021
(1H2020: 1/1-6/31/2020). PLASTIC CONTENT IN 1H2021 PLASTIC ARE REUSABLE 1H2021
educating and engaging our community
COMPARED TO 14% IN 1H2020 COMPARED TO 50% IN 1H2020 COMPARED TO 10% 1H2020
to adopt sustainable habits, like choosing
We aim to reduce this metric We prioritize reducing plastic in Across our assortment, we’re
plastic-free and plastic-reducing products.
by reducing or eliminating single-use packaging vs. plastic seeking to increase reusable
unnecessary plastic packaging in the product itself. products and packaging while
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 12
in products we sell. reducing single-use plastic.TRACKING OUR PROGRESS
GOAL GOAL
Portfolio of
MET MET
GOAL
Owned Brands
2021
2021 2020 2021 2020 2021 2020
OF PRODUCTS ARE PLASTIC-FREE BY POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED
100% PLASTIC-FREE IN 1H2021 99% WEIGHT IN 1H2021 42% PLASTIC CONTENT IN 1H2021
SINCE LAUNCHING IN 2020 COMPARED TO 99% IN 1H2020 COMPARED TO 43% IN 1H2020
Our seven owned brands span home care, personal care, Always 100% Plastic-free, Peach is on a Tree-free paper made from strong, Plant-based care for skin, hair, and
and wellness, offering healthy formulas and sustainable mission to kick plastic out of the bathroom sustainable bamboo. Every purchase body made with potent antioxidants and
formats without sacrificing performance. Replacing single- with Beauty & Personal Care products for helps replant American forests. other vital nutrients.
everyone that make sustainability fun— with Packaging is plastic-free, made from
use plastic is core to our cause of reducing waste, minimizing
no performance trade-offs. post-consumer recycled content, and
our carbon footprint, and moving Beyond Plastic all together.
fully recyclable.
These 2020-21 numbers represent our baseline as we work to
remove all plastic from our products and packaging by 2025.
GOAL GOAL
GOAL
MET
GOAL 2021
2021 2020 2021 2020
OF PRODUCTS ARE PLASTIC AS A % OF TOTAL PLASTIC-FREE BY PLASTIC-FREE BY
31+% PLASTIC-FREE IN 1H2021 23% PRODUCT WEIGHT IN 1H2021 98% WEIGHT IN 1H2021 85% WEIGHT IN 1H2021
COMPARED TO 25% IN 1H2020 COMPARED TO 23% IN 1H2020 COMPARED TO 98% IN 1H2020 SINCE LAUNCHING IN 2021
Our flagship home care brand is Shame-free, healthy period care and High-quality natural nutritional O ur newest brand protects your skin
sustainably powerful for a healthy sexual wellness products with a mission to support to help you noticeably improve from environmental stressors and
2021 2020 spread sex education. your health and well-being. restores your all-natural glow with
home and planet.
vegan, plant-based skincare.
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 13PORTFOLIO OF OWNED BRANDS
Grove Co. Brand GOAL GOAL
Grove Co., our flagship home care brand, is sustainably powerful for a healthy 2021 2020 2021 2020
home and planet. Uncompromising performance, no harsh chemicals, 100%
natural fragrances and moving Beyond Plastic, Grove Co. is redefining the future OF PRODUCTS ARE OF TOTAL PLASTIC IS
of sustainable home care. We weigh and record materials to keep our ratio 31+% PLASTIC-FREE IN 1H2021 26% PACKAGING IN 1H2021
of plastic-to-product low, and we track recycled and recyclable plastic in our COMPARED TO 25% IN 1H2020 COMPARED TO 37% IN 1H2020
products, supporting circular production and our Plastic Neutral efforts. We continue to seek alternate product and This is the ratio of plastic that is packaging
packaging formats to reduce the number of versus plastic that is part of the product
Grove products that contain plastic. itself. We prioritize eliminating single-use
plastic from our packaging.
1,035,108 lbs GOAL
1H2021 TOTAL PLASTIC FOOTPRINT
GOAL
COMPARED TO 705,347 LBS IN 1H2020
2021 2020
Of the total number of Grove Co. products that we’ve shipped
to our customers in 2021, 69% of those products contained OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING PLASTIC
plastic, 40% of those plastic products were reusable, and 60%
2021 2020
BY WEIGHT ARE SINGLE USE IN 1H2021
contained an average of 29% post-consumer recycled plastic
COMPARED TO 61% IN 1H2020
2021 2020 by weight. The increase in our plastic footprint reflects the
To reduce this metric, we will reduce or eliminate
growth in our business. While absolute plastic usage went
unnecessary plastic packaging in Grove Co.
up, our next report will disclose plastic per dollar of revenue
products. Single-use—or disposable—plastics are
(intensity) to track whether we are making progress in our aim items, such as pouches or caps, that are used only
to decouple our plastic footprint from our sales. once before they are thrown away or recycled.
*Definition: Sustainable Packaging, Sustainable Packaging Coalition, sustainablepackaging.org. G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 14BEYOND PLASTIC
Plastic Neutrality OUR PARTNERS
We consider Plastic Neutrality a realistic way to mitigate the impact of our plastic footprint. rePurpose Global (Launched in 2021)
It is not our end goal. We are also focused on maintaining the integrity behind our plastic rePurpose Global is a plastic crediting platform dedicated to reducing waste,
collection programs. In the absence of a regulatory body overseeing plastic crediting systems, reviving lives, and restoring nature’s balance. Their mission is to allow purposeful
we’re committed to creating a rigorous system of measurement which focuses on transparency, people and companies to address our plastic pollution crisis through Plastic
traceability and additionality of collection projects. We remain in close contact with our collection Neutrality. Through our partnership with rePurpose, we are complementing our
continued work with Plastic Bank by scaling to new geographies in India, Kenya
partners on best practices and emerging industry standards and are dedicated to constant
and Colombia where our focus will be on the collection of low-value plastics
evaluation of our practices as a standard emerges.
(such as candy wrappers or chip bags) that are more likely to end up as pollution.
MAPPING OUR IMPACT We are also investing in capital infrastructure that will enable the collection
of greater volumes of plastic pollution and enable the scalability of corporate
Grove’s Plastic Neutral Programs Plastic Neutral programs. We are proud to diversify our approach to Plastic
Neutrality, and know that while it’s not a perfect solution, that our commitment
to address the world’s plastic pollution crisis is meaningful. To learn about Grove’s
impact through rePurpose, please visit our annual impact report.
903,895 lbs
Plastic Bank (Launched in 2020)
OF PLASTIC COLLECTED
India Plastic Bank® empowers the regenerative society. They build ethical
3,351,458 lbs recycling ecosystems in coastal communities, and reprocess the materials for
OF PLASTIC COLLECTED
Philippines reintroduction into the global supply chain. Collectors receive a premium for
the materials they collect which helps them provide basic family necessities such
as groceries, cooking fuel, school tuition, and health insurance. Plastic Bank’s
1,918,729 lbs
OF PLASTIC COLLECTED Alchemy™ blockchain platform secures the entire transaction and provides
Indonesia real-time data visualization – allowing for transparency, traceability, and rapid
scalability. Plastic Bank® currently operates in Haiti, Brazil, Indonesia, the
Philippines, and Egypt.
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 15BEYOND PLASTIC
Products &
Packaging 1,143,874 lbs 324,062 lbs 67,300 lbs
OF PLASTIC AVOIDED IN OF PLASTIC AVOIDED IN OF PLASTIC AVOIDED IN
We’re innovating out of
OUR GROVE CO.™ CLEAN- OUR GROVE CO.™ HAND OUR PEACH NOT PLASTIC™
products containing single-use ING CONCENTRATES AND DISH SOAPS PRODUCTS
plastic and into products designed
for circularity: plastic-reducing Our powerful cleaning Our high-performance formulas are now Our waterless, plastic-free and plant-based
concentrates have moved from in plastic-free packaging. Since launch in personal care products make personal care
and plastic-free, refillable and
plastic to glass and are 100% October 2020 and transitioning from plastic fun, colorful, and waste-free. By replacing
reusable. One way we measure
plastic-free. Since launch in to aluminum, this new product format has traditionally packaged care products with our
the impact of the plastic-free
October 2020, this new product avoided 73,899 pounds of plastic. waterless bar formats, each Peach customer
and plastic-reducing products format has avoided 335,234 can avoid 4.44 pounds of plastic per year.
we create and curate is through pounds of plastic.
the amount of plastic they avoid
compared to their conventional,
mass market alternatives. Here’s a
few metrics we’ve calculated since
each product’s launch:
4,636,021 lbs
POUNDS OF PLASTIC AVOIDED
IN ALL OUR PLASTIC-FREE AND
PLASTIC-REDUCING PRODUCTS
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 16BEYOND PLASTIC: OUR PLAN
Roadmap to Plastic-Free PHASE 1
Available Alternatives
Phase 1 requires transitioning all possible packaging out of plastic, where
We don’t have total visibility as to how we will get to 100% plastic-free, but that’s not a reason to
solutions exist. If solutions don’t currently exist, we will use post-consumer
start along our journey. Here’s how we’re thinking about tackling these challenges.
recycled (PCR) plastic as much as possible. On the collaboration front, in
2020, we launched our Plastic Working Group with participating third-party
brands sold on our site.
2021
PHASE 2
ST E P 1: STEP 2:
New Formats & Behaviors
Strategic intent Start with lower Moving into Phase 2 means expanding our resources and testing to find
effort items matches with existing products. Solution must-haves include product
compatibility, packaging performance, and price. Consumer behavior
change is likely to support this transition.
2022 2023 -2025
PHASE 3
Innovations & Solutions
ST E P 3: STEP 4 : While we have less visibility into this chapter of our work, Phase 3 will be
Kick off new Qualify, implement and the final stretch of our plastic-free journey. It depends on the creation of
new materials, technologies and logistics systems that enable us to reach
technology items launch new formats a full assortment of plastic-free products.
W H AT WILL IT TA KE TO GET THER E? G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 17BEYOND PLASTIC CHECKLIST: OUR PLAN
Phase 0: Getting Started
Measurement Goal Setting Industry Action
Engage with suppliers on plastic free, recycled
Collect a list of all SKUs (including non-plastic). Start a conversation about plastic removal
plastic, lightweight and other existing
and reduction.
alternatives.
Create a measurement system to capture
what parts include plastic, as well as what Examine organizational commitments around Explore convening groups around packaging,
type of plastic and if recycled content is used. sustainability-how does plastic fit in? plastic and overall sustainability.
Consider low hanging fruit around reduction in
Familiarize teams with concepts of recyclability Support local legislation oriented around
packaging such as secondary packaging.
and what plastics are likely to be recycled. reducing/disincentivizing single use plastics.
Collect consumer insights about functionality,
Start to measure or otherwise capture places packaging preferences, etc.
in supply chain, offices or other business
activities that might also be plastic intensive or
create significant waste.
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 18BEYOND PLASTIC CHECKLIST: OUR PLAN
Phase 1: Available Alternatives
Design End of Life Industry Action
Launch Plastic Working Group to share best
Transition out of plastic wherever possible Label all packaging with How2Recycle
practices, our roadmap, and create a plan for
into materials that are commonly recyclable. instructions to maximize chances of it being
industry action.
recycled properly.
Increase PCR and recycled content Launch advocacy practice: Support legislation
wherever possible. and working groups that advance both state
and national legislation around increased
Prioritize most commonly recycled materials recycling, disincentivizing single-use plastics,
in place of those unlikely to be recycled. and addressing plastic pollution.
Reduce all unnecessary packaging.
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 19BEYOND PLASTIC CHECKLIST: OUR PLAN
Phase 2: New Formats & Behaviors
Design End of Life Industry Action
Develop new formats for packaging that Increase compostable packaging Pilot circularity programs to explore
prioritize refills, avoid single-use, and transition assortment. Ideally, make packaging home feasibility of long-term reuse addressing
away from plastics. compostable where possible. plastic pollution.
Innovate new products. For example, eschew Publish a list of aggregated packaging
traditional bottles in favor of plastic-free bars. innovations through the third-party brand
Plastic Working Group. Research innovations
Through testing, explore the role of consumer and changes required for an industry-wide
behavior changes. Examine consumer transition to plastic-free packaging. Signal
acceptance and adoption. Increase focus demand that consumer packaged goods,
on the measurement of average plastic personal care, and the clean beauty industry
in packaging, and design a path towards are ready and eager to go plastic-free.
reduction through behavior change.
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 20BEYOND PLASTIC CHECKLIST: OUR PLAN
Phase 3: Innovations & Solutions
Design End of Life Industry Action
Create scalable circular packaging or Catalyze our industry to make bold
Design for materials recovery. Consider
refill systems, enabling take-back models commitments to plastic-free solutions.
packaging that can be recovered and reused
that avoid landfill waste and reach a Participate in the creation of industry-
rather than recycled.
large percentage of Grove customers. wide goals.
Make packaging a force for good. For Prioritize longevity and re-use over Partner with other retailers who share
example, explore the creation of new materials recycling. We envision a world in which our commitment to avoid plastic and
from waste and examine carbon capture every Grove box leaves minimal materials move towards circularity. Scale systems for
and/or carbon-negative packaging. Explore in home recycling bins, and anything that packaging collection, take-back, and/or refill.
the potential role for permanent durable goes into the bin is truly recyclable in the
plastic goods with demonstrated longevity. majority of U.S. households.
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 2 1OUR PROGRESS AND PARTNERS
How are we doing on
our goals?
We’re making steady, plastic-free progress.
While we refine our long-term goals and timelines removing any single-use plastic packaging
to move out of plastic, tracking to the phases from our assortment. As it relates to further
outlined in our checklists, we’ve begun to develop development, we are considering the following
an internal roadmap for both our Grove-owned principles:
brands and our site, which aim to address or
track progress in relation to our goals. Most 1. Holistic Design: Design out of single-use plastic
critically, these milestones help create points waste when possible and evaluate life cycle for
of incremental progress. We are centering our circular economy optimizations, without the use
owned brands approach around materials, of any single-use plastic packaging.
overconsumption and end of life—seeking to
address challenges where our industry and 2. Material Selection: Maximize recycled content
sustainability principles lack alignment. and choose materials that can be recycled
based on How2Recycle guidelines.
Grove-Owned Brands Approach
Grove-owned brands are focused on designing 3. Performance: Packaging must consider the
out of single-use plastic as a first priority. As of full supply chain of the product to reduce
this year, Grove-owned brands will not launch damage, improve transit efficiencies and meet
any new products that require virgin, single-use shelf-life requirements.
plastic as primary packaging, and we’re actively
Image: Grove Co. G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 2 2OUR PROGRESS (CONTINUED)
Plastic-Conscious Partners
4. Consumer Engagement: Every package must We’re committed to moving our industry forward,
contain the How2Recycle label to inform and we work with third-party brands to offer a
consumers how to dispose of it. wide range of plastic-conscious solutions.
In 2020, we added 163 plastic-free products, from
5. Durability: Products are designed for long- 32 brands, to our Grove assortment. Everything
term usage and modularity for any parts that available at Grove has met our standards for
need replacement. ingredients, efficacy, cruelty-free production,
and sustainability—and our partners have
Grove Third-Party Brands been tremendously receptive to our goals
Grove seeks to be a marketplace for values- around plastic, even with major questions about
aligned brands who share our vision to improve feasibility within each product category and
our industry. While we know that new packaging available alternatives. In 2020, we launched a
formats are critically needed, as a first step while Plastic Working Group to facilitate collaboration
we work with our existing brands to transition and learning around plastic reduction, and we
out of single-use plastic packaging, by 2022, look forward to reporting on our progress.
Grove will not onboard any new brands whose
packaging is primarily single-use, virgin plastic. Seventh Generation
We are working to further refine our timelines for Launched in September 2020 exclusively at
third-party brands. Grove, Seventh Generation introduced a line
of Zero Plastic home care and personal care
• 12% of products from our third party brands products. These liquid free, mineral-based,
are currently plastic-free, and we’re working to biodegradable cleaning products are packaged
reach 15% by the end of 2021. in steel—the most recyclable and recycled
• We aim to have 50% recycled plastic by the end material in the world—along with no synthetic
of 2023. fragrances, no dyes, no bleach, no wrappers, and
certainly no plastic.
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 23 Image: Seventh Generation at GroveCASE STUDY
Launching Our First
100% Plastic-Free
Personal Care Brand
In 2020, we launched Peach Not Plastic™—a
fun, experiential personal care brand on a
mission to kick plastic out of the bathroom.
Why We Went Plastic-Free We launched Peach Not Plastic in 2020 to show
At Grove, we seek to challenge existing product our consumers and the industry that it’s possible
formats that have plagued the personal care to have an enjoyable, experiential and effective
industry with single-use plastic. For decades, beauty and personal care routine without all of
clean hair and body care meant plastic bottles the plastic packaging.
full of liquid.
How We Did It
Through our research and testing, we discovered Launching Peach successfully meant overcoming
that plastic and water have zero performance decades of learned behavior and expectations
benefit—whether in hand soap, body wash or around product format, performance and in-
shampoo. use experience. Here is how we approached the
challenges:
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 24
Image: Peach not Plastic by GroveCASE STUDY (CONTINUED)
Love to Lather Storage and Travel
The first thing we learned when talking to our Storing bar products in the shower can be tricky.
consumers is that rich, soft and creamy lather They need to drain and dry properly between
matters—a lot. Lather is linked intuitively uses. So helping consumers through education
with the feeling of clean hair—even if there’s and offering adjacent products—such as shower
not necessarily a direct connection between soap dishes—helped to make sure they were
lather and cleaning performance. So we able to take good care of their products. Also,
made the product experience a priority— traveling with these bars is a breeze since they
rich, creamy lather, paired with expressive, aren’t restricted by TSA regulations—unlike liquid
delightful fragrances are as important as high hair and personal care products.
performance and squeaky clean hair.
A Year After Launch...
Making the Switch Oh-So-Easy ...we found that our customers are loving our
Many people want to do better for the plastic-free Peach Not Plastic hair, facial and
environment, but aren’t sure how—and they body bars. We’ve expanded our portfolio with
certainly don’t want to compromise on product an industry-first, refillable and aluminum-based,
performance. So Peach set out to make infinitely recyclable deodorant system, and
sustainability fun—all without performance we’re working hard to bring even more plastic-
trade-offs versus conventional formats. With free beauty and personal care options to our
fun shapes, expressive and delightful scents consumers. Our bars alone have received over
and highly effective products, there’s no reason 830 reviews and are consistently rated above 4
not to switch to Peach—all while saving the stars—all while avoiding 64,000 pounds of plastic
planet one plastic-free product at a time. We in less than one year. We can’t wait to see what
don’t preach sustainability, we make it inviting year two will bring!
and fun for everyone!
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 25 Image: Peach not Plastic by GroveAMPLIFYING OUR IMPACT
Memberships & Advocacy
Memberships
Our plastic-free goal is meant to transform our industry, not just our own assortment of products. Grove revisits its memberships annually to participate in action-
In order to do this, we know that Grove needs to actively participate in relevant industry oriented groups of like-minded companies and organizations:
dialogues and conversations about relevant legislation, such as the proposed Break Free
from Plastic Pollution Bill. Making our voice heard in all places where these conversations our
happening is part of our responsibility in driving change. We do this in several ways: memberships,
advocacy and communications.
Advocacy
Grove is proud to support the Plastics Free California Ballot Initiative,
the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Bill, and other state and national
advocacy efforts to avoid single-use plastic, increase recycling, and
address plastic pollution. We’re also part of the BeautyCounter
Counteract Coalition, a collective of like-minded businesses in the
personal-care and beauty industries that are eager to see more
health-protective laws passed in Washington, DC.
Communications
Finding ways to amplify our message is a key tenet of our brand
marketing, communications and public relations strategy. In 2021 our
CEO highlighted the challenge Grove poses to the CPG industry in
mainstream media interviews, speaking opportunities and an Op-Ed
that ran in Fast Company on July 6th calling out our industry for filling
the commons with plastic.
Image: Plastic is killing our planet. Will the consumer packaged goods industry step up? Fast Company Magazine. 07.06.2021. G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 26FORESTS & FIBER How can home essentials protect the natural environment? G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 27
INTRODUCTION: FORESTS & FIBER
Trees belong in
healthy forests.
Every second, 1,400 square feet of the Canadian
boreal is clearcut.*
We love trees so much that we want to keep them otherwise. While we continue to make progress
healthy in forests, where they already exist— towards planting 1M trees, we know we can’t
storing carbon, keeping soil healthy, providing reforest the planet on our own. New research
habitats and supporting planetary health. In shows that reforestation is not without its own
our industry, you’ll hear a lot about planting sustainability challenges.
trees—including from us. (Grove has committed to
planting 1M trees by 2022.) The difference? Most We can play a part in building a more sustainable
of our competitors are planting trees because industry by creating and selling items that
their business relies on cutting them down. decrease the amount of fiber-based products
consumed on a daily basis— as well as by
In fact, every second, 1,400 square feet of the building conservation into our business model.
Canadian boreal forest is clearcut—a footprint For example, by replacing conventional paper
the size of a small house—in part, to make toilet products with our Seedling line of bamboo-based
paper. (Our favorite research, The Issue with paper towels and toilet paper, we’re helping (and
Tissue, comes from the Natural Resources Defense hoping) to save some of the trees cut down every
Council and we strongly encourage a read.) A day for household paper. We’re also innovating
tree planted is nowhere near equivalent to a tree where we can, expanding our tree-free, bamboo-
cut down in any meaningful way—from carbon based line into compostable kitchen wipes, facial
capture to soil health to wildlife protection or tissues, napkins and more.
Image: Canadian Boreal Forest *Source: National Resources Defense Council.
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 28INTRODUCTION: FORESTS & FIBER (CONTINUED) This year, we’ve extended our work around certification group, Palm Done Right, to institute reforestation. Beyond tree planting, we’re more industry-leading practices. honestly examining our impact. Specifically, as we transition out of plastic, we want to Success in this part of our business means that ensure that we don’t adopt alternatives our products and packaging are contributing linked to deforestation. As part of this work, to reforestation, never deforestation or we’re collaborating with leading nonprofit degradation. We also value conservation above organization Canopy to develop an anti- restoration and are actively looking for ways deforestation and Responsible Fiber Policy, and where our business can reinforce these aims. we’re joining the Pack4Good network. We’re also thinking about soil health, conservation and biodiversity. We’re asking questions, like: How can our small but motivated business support planetary health, climate and wildlife through its purchasing decisions, supply chain and partnerships? We’re at the start of this exploration, but we’ve had meaningful pilots. With Presidio Graduate School, we’re exploring how we can institute regeneratively sourced raw materials. In ongoing work with Project Drawdown’s Drawdown Labs, we’re examining nature-based solutions. Lastly, we’re focused on creating a framework for palm oil, working with leading G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 29 Image: Seedling by Grove
GOALS AND MILESTONES
1M Trees Planted by 2022
We believe that household essentials shouldn’t come at the expense of the planet. Grove’s Upon maturity, the 230,000 trees that we planted in 2020 (bringing
reforestation strategy aims to align purpose with profit by the positive impact made through our our current total to 635,000 trees planted to date*) will not
Seedling line, through our non-profit partnerships, and with voluntary carbon offsets. We’re proud only restore forests, but also provide ecosystem benefits to their
to work with the Arbor Day Foundation to restore areas of critical deforestation around the U.S. communities on an annual basis. We’re on track to plant 1 million trees
in the U.S. by 2022 with the Arbor Day Foundation.
This past year, we published our first Responsible Fiber Policy and joined Canopy and Palm Done
Right in ensuring our practices aligned with industry best practices. We also joined 1 Trillion Trees,
the Taskforce on Nature Related Climate Disclosures as an observer.
635,000 209,516
TREES PLANTED TO DATE* IN TONS OF CO2 WILL BE
LOCATIONS ACROSS THE U.S. SEQUESTERED BY THOSE TREES
11,491 28,271,684,600
POUNDS OF AIR GALLONS OF RAINFALL
POLLUTION WILL BE REMOVED WILL BE INTERCEPTED**
COMING SOON
100% FSC-Certified Paper Products by 2022
By the end of 2022, all paper products used to package and ship our
products will be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®).
We’ve also joined Prana’s Responsible Packaging Working Group to
collaborate with like-minded peers.
*Metrics as of 6/30/2021
**For more information on this metric, please see How Trees Can Retain Stormwater Runoff.
Image: Forest Canopy
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 30GOALS AND MILESTONES
635,000 Trees and Counting Trees Planted by State
Washington Mississippi
LARCH ES, PIN ES, PIN ES
AN D FIR
WA: 14,245
Georgia
OR: 5,180 MI: 30,165
Oregon LON G LEAF PINES
FIRS
CA: 36,000
PA: 5,000 Pennsylvania
California OAK, H EM LOCK,
FIR, PINE AN D CEDAR CH ESTN UT, CH ERRY,
OH: 23,000 LOCUST, AS PEN ,
Texas M APLE, WALNUT,
AN D POPLAR
WV: 11,000
PIN ES
GA: 75,000 West Virginia
Michigan NATIVE S PRUCE,
TX: 20,000 NC: 8,490 PIN ES CH ESTN UT,
CH OKEBERRY,
AS PEN, ALDER, AN D
MS: 281,155 FL: 125,765 Ohio CH ERRY
OAK, CH ESTN UT,
CH ERRY, H ICKORY,
WALN UT, M APLE,
North Carolina
PIN E, POPLAR, AND LON G LEAF PINES
PERS IM MON
Florida
LON G LEAF PINES
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 31OUR STRATEGY
Focus on protection
and conservation.
We’re examining our supply chain through
production, packaging, and shipping.
Protection and Conservation material sourcing to prioritize conservation and
The home essentials industry is deeply dependent regeneration across all areas of our business.
on fiber-based products. As we transition out of
plastic, we have to find truly sustainable solutions Principles of regenerative agriculture have
to procure fiber and natural materials. We’re been in practice for hundreds of years amongst
prioritizing raw materials that regenerate quickly indigenous communities around the world.
and don’t contribute to forest degradation or As their inherent value becomes more widely
deforestation as a regrettable alternative. acknowledged, these principles offer practical
applications within supply chains.
We’re trying to find a meaningful way to
showcase our business as an engine for habitat Regenerative Coconut Oil
conservation rather than destruction and loss. With the intention of incorporating regenerative
We’re actively exploring how we can use all practices into sourcing for key Grove branded
levers available to us—from product design to products, we partnered with Presidio Graduate
certification, sourcing practices, and carbon School to do an in-depth study of our coconut oil,
offsets—to protect the world’s most valuable exploring potential ingredients available to us.
resources. Our ultimate goal is for fiber and
Image: Peach not Plastic Body Balm by Grove G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 32OUR STRATEGY (CONTINUED)
While we found no new sources of regenerative As we dig deeper on palm to understand all
coconut oil for immediate transition, we were applications and formulations that incorporate
pleasantly surprised to discover that some of our palm-derived ingredients, we’re building a
suppliers had already adopted practices such as framework that we we’ll share, along with our
row-cropping—planting in rows wide enough to progress, in next year’s report. As always, we
allow tilling, protecting soil quality. aim to work with suppliers, vendors and brand
networks to improve our industry rather than use
We also discovered social impacts previously punitive action.
unknown to us, such as women-led cooperative
suppliers. The coconut oil project provided
actionable next steps, and we continue to
move forward with the goal of increasing
regeneratively sourced ingredients.
Responsible Palm Oil
Beyond our positive impact, we are also
increasing the rigor with which we track our
raw materials sourcing. Within our supplier
guide, we require that all products containing
palm oil ensure either certification by Palm
Done Right (of which Grove is proud to be a
member), Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
(RSPO) or labeling with other verified standards
of traceability, such as Dr. Bronner’s Fair Trade
partnership with small farms in Ghana.
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 33 Image: Palm ForestFORESTS AND FIBER
Products &
Packaging 100% FSC® 1M trees would be saved
CERTIFIED BAMBOO IF EVERY AMERICAN SWITCHED ONE ROLL OF TOILET PAPER IN THEIR HOME TO SEEDLING
Seedling by Grove is the first and
USED IN OUR SEEDLING BY Unlike industry competitors who deplete the environment, Seedling is a model of regenerative business.
only tree-positive paper brand, GROVE PRODUCTS
illustrating how our industry can be
Our bamboo is all certified by the
a force for positive impact rather
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC),
than continued depletion of natural
the highest standard of forestry,
resources. Every Seedling purchase
which requires that ecosystems
supports replanting forests across remain intact for truly sustainable
the U.S., making Seedling the first methods of forest management
brand of paper to plant trees and habitat protection.
without ever cutting them down.
In addition, the majority of our
carbon offsets are allocated towards
3 months
THE TIME IT TAKES
conservation of the Canadian Boreal FOR BAMBOO TO GROW BACK
forest — the largest remaining intact AFTER HARVESTING
forest globally, but still subject to
On average, trees take 20 years
logging to make conventional paper
to grow back after harvesting.
goods. (For an in-depth look at the
Bamboo takes 3 months.
Darkwoods Forest Offset project, Seedling provides a sustainable
please see p. 38 of last year’s alternative to conventional
sustainability report.) paper products.
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 34HEALTHIER HOMES How can we empower our customers to lead healthier lives at home? G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 35
INTRODUCTION: HEALTHIER HOMES
Be safe and sustainable.
Our customers overwhelmingly choose Grove for
safe and certified products they can trust.
Safety and sustainability are the primary reasons Across Grove—from our own products to our
our customers choose and stay with us, and we carefully vetted third-party brands—we prioritize
hold ourselves responsible to raising the bar the highest standards across ingredient quality,
on both fronts. We hope Grove can serve as product development, and social welfare. We view
a microcosm for greater decision making and human and environmental health as inextricably
environmental awareness. linked, and we prioritize the wellbeing of both. We
work closely with trusted third parties, including
In the U.S., innovation often outpaces regulation, the Environmental Working Group (EWG),
specifically in the world of chemicals. Chemical Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US
regulation for consumer products takes an Department of Agriculture (USDA) for testing and
“innocent until proven guilty” approach, given the verification. Our in-house formulation scientists
herculean task of isolating and proving causality and experts have decades of industry experience,
between use of chemicals and specific health and they’re tasked with prioritizing efficiency with
outcomes. As we discussed in this report last year no compromises on ingredients suspected to be
(but continues to be the case) it can and does detrimental to human and environmental health.
take decades to ban chemicals with known links We also prioritize plant-based formulations
to serious health issues, such as BPA. wherever possible.
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 36
Image: Grove Laundry DetergentGOALS AND MILESTONES
No Harmful Chemicals
UP NEXT
Across our site, our products will never include anything on our anti-ingredients list, and everything Safer Products Everywhere
we carry will always meet our rigorous standards. By prioritizing plant-based ingredients, in 100% of our formulated Grove Co., Peach and Superbloom fragrances
2019, the Grove Co. Brand avoided over 760,000 pounds of synthetic ingredients across laundry are transparent. We ask our industry to raise its standards as well.
detergent, hand soap, and dish soap collections. In 2020, the Grove Co. brand avoided 1,495,893 Through advocacy, we support legislation requiring ingredient
pounds of synthetic ingredients across our cleaning concentrates, laundry, hand soap, and dish transparency and increasing standards around chemical safety within
consumer products and cosmetics.
soap collections. This is 734,380 pounds more than we avoided in 2019. The Grove standard lists all
the anti- ingredients you’ll never find in our products, from parabens to phosphates and triclosan.
100% 760,000
TRANSPARENT FRAGRANCES FOR LBS. SYNTHETIC INGREDIENTS
PEACH, SUPERBLOOM & GROVE CO. AVOIDED IN 2019*
1,495,893 +734,380
LBS. SYNTHETIC INGREDIENTS LBS. SYNTHETICS
AVOIDED IN 2020** AVOIDED YEAR-OVER-YEAR
We never use synthetic fragrance, just essential oils and other plant
extracts. In 2020, we advocated for ingredient transparency by
supporting three bills related to ingredient disclosure at the state
(California) and federal (U.S.) levels. We’re also providing Safety Data
Sheets for Grove Co. home care products, publicly available on our site
as of Q3, 2021.
*2019 numbers include laundry detergent, hand soap, and dish soap collections.
**2020 numbers include Grove Co. cleaning concentrates, laundry, hand soap, and dish soap collections.
Image: Grove Beauty
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 37HEALTHIER HOMES
The Grove Standard
We’re Committed To:
Our owned products are developed with careful consideration for efficacy and safety. All
products meet the Grove standard, which means they prioritize plant-based ingredients, are Plant-Based Formulas
We lead with organic and plant-based ingredients whenever
cruelty free, and are free of synthetic colors, synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, BPA, and they are available.
toxic varnishes. We provide full ingredient transparency because we have nothing to hide.
100% Cruelty-Free
We work exclusively with Leaping Bunny certified manufacturers
to ensure everything we offer is 100% cruelty-free.
Ethical Supply Chains
We review supplier factories for safety and well-being according
to the international Business Social Compliance Initiative.
Ingredient Transparency
We never use synthetic fragrance or any other harmful ingredients.
Sustainable Materials
We constantly seek ways to minimize plastic in our products
and packaging.
Industry Expertise
We’ve guided by industry experts with over 100 years of
combined experience.
Image: Grove Collaborative G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 38HEALTHIER HOMES
Our Anti-Ingredient List
A collection of components you won’t find in Grove Collaborative products.
Ammonia A polishing agent found in glass cleaner, ammonia can cause Parabens A preservative found in fragrances and personal care products
irritation in skin and eyes as well asthma. known to mimic estrogen and possibly be an endocrine disruptor.
BHA/BHT A preservative found in anti-aging skin care products known to be Phosphates A builder found in detergents and stain removal products known
a carcinogen and skin irritant, as well as known aquatic toxicity. to be a skin irritant and to cause excessive algae growth in water,
killing other organisms.
Chlorine A disinfectant found in household cleaners known to be a
Phthalates A group of chemicals found in personal care products known to be
respiratory irritant and suspected to be a thyroid disruptor,
hormone disruptors and irritants.
forming carcinogenic byproducts.
Formaldehyde A preservative found in personal care products known to be a Quaternium-15, A preservative found in personal care products (such as shampoos,
carcinogen and skin irritant. DMDM Hydantoin face cleansers, and body wash) which releases formaldehyde, a
known carcinogen.
Cyclomethicones A non-biodegradable emollient found in lotions, creams, and
Triclosan An antibacterial found in dish soaps, counter top cleaners, and
(D4/D5/D6) shampoos known to cause reproductive harm.
hand sanitizers suspected to be a hormone disruptor and known to
have aquatic toxicity.
Octinoxate, A UV blocker found in chemical sunscreens that is a possible
Oxyben- zone, allergen and known to be toxic to coral reefs.
Sulisobenzone
G R O V E C O L L A B O R AT I V E · 2 0 2 1 S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T · 39You can also read
