Month: September 2023

Originally published in Kohler’s 2022 Believing in Better Impact Report

Kohler’s Better Planet strategy is focused on improving our operational environmental footprint while paying uncompromised attention to designing environmentally friendly products that help our customers and consumers to reduce their own environmental impact. We have been tracking our environmental footprint since 2008 as a key part of our environmental sustainability journey, and we have established goals for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water usage, and waste to landfill across our operations. We continue to develop additional goals to drive improvement on other environmental metrics.

DESIGN FOR ENVIRONMENT

Our Design for Environment (DfE) methodology, which is applied in Kitchen and Bath and Energy businesses, is a data-driven process that enables us to understand the environmental impact of our products and rethink design aspects accordingly. DfE employs a multistage strategy that considers all aspects of the product life cycle, including the impact of using renewable materials, how decreasing water flow rates affects user experience, and how product materials can be recycled or repurposed.

To increase the adoption of DfE, we organized training on DfE methodology for more than 240 Kitchen and Bath associates in China and also developed an interactive DfE workshop and provided training to Kohler Power Systems associates in our Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) unit. DfE training modules were also launched on the Kohler Learning Academy and Engineering Academy, including modules on product transparency and creating sustainability impact statements.

As an internal status for our products, Kohler uses the Positive by Design® designation, which signifies that environmentally friendly aspects were incorporated using the DfE process. All products designated Positive by Design® have been internally verified to have a positive impact, compared to existing product offerings, in one of four key sustainability impact areas—water use, GHG emissions, solid waste, and material toxicity— combined with no negative effects in the other impact areas. In 2022 49% of NPD projects (excluding retail NPD projects) were designated as Positive by Design.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRODUCTS

As part of our efforts to increase awareness of environmentally friendly products, we are a pioneer in providing at-scale solutions for product transparency, including supporting the climate-resilience and green building movement through Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Declare labels. EPDs are based on a third-party-verified life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) and Kohler has expanded our EPD offerings to include 100% of vitreous china, stainless steel, and faucets products. We are continually expanding our data inventory and our capability to produce EPDs upon request. 

Declare labels provide transparency on a product’s environmental impact through compliance with Living Building Challenge (LBC) criteria developed by the International Living Future Institute, a coalition of architects, engineers, manufacturers, and builders focused on green building. Declare labels and EPDs are used to help builders achieve Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification for homes, commercial buildings, and communities from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Kohler continues to receive increased requests for product transparency documents, including EPDs, Declare labels, and other metrics such as embodied carbon or recycled content. In 2022 62% of our transparency requests were for EPDs, and 29% were for Declare labels with 80% of those requests from North America and 20% from countries outside of North America.

HELPING CUSTOMERS REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS

Kohler Power Systems (KPS) is developing innovative ways to help customers reduce or replace the use of diesel fossil fuel, which will reduce GHG emissions. In 2022 KPS approved the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuels to replace fossil diesel in its entire range of mission-critical diesel generators, including the KOHLER KD Series™, with no adaptations required to the installed generators. The switch to renewable HVO fuel can help Kohler’s customers reduce life cycle carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil diesel. 

Diesel generators used as back up power sources for data centers and other mission-critical uses have historically been tested monthly under load, due to inability of previous technology engines to operate at no load on a regular basis. Advanced technology and efficiency improvements to the modern diesel engine designs enable lower-exercise loading. Test and field experience with generators such as the KOHLER KD Series suggests that unloaded monthly exercise is allowable, as long as the generator is load bank tested annually. KPS is working with customers to reduce load testing frequency that, based on our study, can expect up to 40% reduction in pollutants, such as nitrous oxide (NOx), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons (HC), and 44% in fuel consumption annually.

WATER-EFFICIENT PRODUCTS

Kohler continues to make its largest impact on water conservation globally through leadership in the development and use of water-efficient products. We received our thirteenth WaterSense® award in 2022 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recognizing that WaterSense-labeled KOHLER toilets, showerheads, and faucets are major contributors to reduced water consumption in America’s households. Kohler was honored in 2008 with the first WaterSense Partner of the Year award. Since 2007, cumulative savings due to Kohler brands in the U.S. was over 560 billion gallons of water, 12.8 million metric tons of avoided CO2 emissions, and $8.3 billion in energy and water costs.

KOHLER WASTELAB®

KOHLER WasteLAB was established in 2014 as an idea coming out of Kohler’s Innovation for Good® incubator. WasteLAB associates are working to foster a circular economy in which we reuse, rethink, and repurpose our waste streams to design and produce artful tile and other products. WasteLAB uses a variety of landfill-bound materials left over from the manufacturing process, including wastewater sludge, pottery dry cull, cast iron slag, foundry dust, and enamel powder. From 2019 through 2022, sales of KOHLER WasteLAB tiles have diverted 25.5 metric tons (MT) of waste from landfills and diverted 9.3 MT of waste in 2022. 

In partnership with ANN SACKS in 2019, WasteLAB launched the Crackle Collection, a line of tile created from recycled dry cull. WasteLAB launched a new tile line in early 2022, the Abstra™ Collection, which is made of more than 99.5% recycled waste materials including pottery wastewater sludge, one of Kohler’s largest waste streams. Sales of the Abstra Collection have exceeded forecasts and the award-winning tile collection has been featured in several publications, including Interior Design, Cottages & Gardens, Elle Decor, and Architectural Digest. Kohler has committed to continued investments in KOHLER WasteLAB research and development efforts to identify additional waste materials that can be repurposed for new products.

INNOVATION FOR GOOD®

Kohler’s Innovation for Good (IfG) program was launched in 2011 as an in-house innovation incubator for our associates to explore new business opportunities with a social purpose. The IfG incubator brings together associates from across Kohler to explore and develop products and solutions for pressing social and environmental issues, including safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and reliable power.

Read the full 2022 Kohler Believing in Better Impact Report here.

Originally published by Walgreens Boots Alliance

By Sarah Cason

Pregnancy can be a difficult path. It comes with physical changes, emotional stressors, and oftentimes, financial burdens—especially for women who lack proper access to healthcare.

For ten years, Walgreens has partnered with Vitamin Angels to donate 1% of all retail vitamin and supplement sales, providing life-changing vitamins to nearly 400 million at-risk women and children in 65 countries and all 50 U.S. states. By August 2025, the aim is to bring that number to 500 million women and children globally.

In 2021, Walgreens and Vitamin Angels combined efforts to introduce a prenatal vitamin pilot program to women in the U.S., distributing prenatal vitamins and nutrition education information to expecting mothers. This summer, to build upon the pilot’s initial success, the program expanded to 12 additional markets and nearly 400 additional stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Accessibility was also expanded, including a direct ship option to women in select eligible zip codes. Some Walgreens pharmacies that offer the prenatal vitamins are now located within health systems such as hospitals and medical office buildings.

“Our partnership started in 2013 to continue Vitamin Angels’ momentum of improving maternal health in local underserved communities. Walgreens has been a fantastic partner in scaling this effort to create a long-term, sustainable program that reached even more women across the country,” says Jessica Karas, director of development operations at Vitamin Angels.

Supporting maternal health at home

Today, there are approximately 1 million underserved pregnant women in the United States with limited to no access to prenatal vitamins. Barriers to accessing these supplements can be due to a range of factors, including gaps in insurance coverage during pregnancy, lack of transportation, poverty and unemployment.

“When a mother finds out she’s expecting, it comes with so many changes, both physical and emotional,” says Robyn Williams, mother of two and regional healthcare director for Walgreens Gulf Coast, an area where the pilot has expanded in recent months. “And then some mothers are faced with financial challenges that can be incredibly stressful. It doesn’t have to be like that. Healthy pregnancies are within reach. And we want to make sure their journey is as seamless as possible.”

Now that the program has expanded to markets determined to be in need of more substantive maternal health support, more underserved pregnant women can pick up a free bottle of Vitamin Angels prenatal vitamins. Community partners play a key role in the pilot program by distributing free informational vouchers and spreading the word throughout their communities to pregnant women. Women can redeem vouchers in-store or online depending on their markets’ eligibility, but they can also walk into a participating Walgreens store to pick up vitamins by simply asking their local pharmacist.

This third phase of the pilot launched June 1, 2023. So far, the demand for prenatal vitamins has skyrocketed: There have been more than 1,900 voucher redemptions to date.

Right now, Vitamin Angels reaches 250,000 American women a year, and with Walgreens’ help, the plan is to double that number—to reach 500,000 women annually—by Dec. 31, 2024.

Refining the process for success

During the past two years, the program has grown and evolved to make access to essential nutrients even easier with a direct ship option in select eligible zip codes for women unable to visit a Walgreens store. This benefit is critical for women who don’t have access to a car or convenient transportation.

“Based on the feedback we received, lack of transportation was almost unanimous among the women we spoke to,” explains Karas.

The free prenatal vitamins are also available in some health systems with Walgreens pharmacies onsite. Now, medical professionals familiar with their patient’s histories can also educate them about the benefits of participating in the prenatal program and provide them with vouchers to redeem during their appointment.

“One of the most exciting developments in this phase has been the inclusion of Walgreens pharmacies within health systems,” says Alethia Jackson, senior vice president, ESG and chief DEI officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance. “After patients receive prenatal care, their immediate next step can be to visit the pharmacy onsite and receive vitamins. It’s a full circle moment that takes one thing off the plate for expecting mothers and entrusts them with a local pharmacist for any further support they need on their pregnancy journey.”

Making a lifelong impact

If anyone knows firsthand the importance of prenatal vitamins, it’s Hope Tran. Not only is she a Walgreens specialty pharmacist, but she’s also expecting her second child.

“Nutrition plays a huge role in pregnancy, I know that firsthand. A typical diet doesn’t necessarily contain all the vitamins that my baby and I need,” Tran says. “So I know that when I take my prenatal vitamins every day it’ll supplement what I eat and boost the likelihood that the pregnancy will be a healthy one.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, taking a daily prenatal vitamin greatly improves a mother’s health and a baby’s development, both in-utero and post-delivery, often increasing the child’s birth weight and improving functions in their brain and spinal cord. The nutrients found in prenatal supplements, such as vitamin D, can reduce the risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth or C-section delivery.

Pregnant women are supplied with six months of Vitamin Angels’ prenatal vitamins, and they can request more if needed. The end goal is to ensure a health pregnancy and start at life for families in communities that haven’t received this kind of support in the past.

“Being a part of this partnership with Vitamin Angels gives me a great sense of pride,” says Williams. “Really, what can be more important than giving babies and mothers nutritional support? It starts them on a foundation for a healthy life.”

NEW YORK, September 19, 2023 /3BL/ – Announced during New York Climate Week, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) is pleased to announce an evolution of its strategy, one that amplifies and builds upon its strong base. As the world continues to confront mounting challenges like environmental degradation, social injustice, and economic volatility, the SAC is now sharpening its focus on three foundational pillars: combating climate change, ensuring decent work for all, and shaping a nature-positive future.

The Three Pillars

Building upon its decade-long commitment to sustainability, the SAC’s sharpened focus aims to create a meaningful, measurable impact on the industry’s most urgent issues. Each pillar has specific, targeted initiatives:

Combating Climate Change: The SAC is concentrating its resources on building robust capabilities, developing data systems, and refining target-setting mechanisms that support brand and manufacturer decarbonization efforts, focused on supply chain emission hotspots. A notable example is the Decarbonization Program launched last year, which aims for a 45% emissions reduction by 2030.Decent Work for All: The SAC work here will focus on enabling the adoption of effective foundational management systems across the vast manufacturing base, while also advancing the adoption of more responsible brand purchasing practices.Nature-Positive Future: The SAC is committed to advancing circular product design and development practices, fortified by sound foundational environmental management systems for manufacturers and their facilities.

The Power of Data

The SAC’s accumulation of industry data over the years has not only granted a panoramic view of the industry’s state but also insights into areas ripe for transformation. Recognizing the potential, the SAC is ushering in a new era by:

Driving Insights: Moving beyond just tool development, the SAC is harnessing the data to glean insights that inform actionable strategies.Mapping Impact Pathways: Shifting from just performance snapshots, the SAC now uses its data to map out clear pathways to tangible, lasting impact.Revamping Verification: The verification process is evolving from a traditional audit approach to a comprehensive journey of performance improvement.Facilitating Collaboration: The data serves as a foundation to create conditions that foster effective collaboration, especially in areas demanding collective action.

Coupled with the scale and reach of the SAC’s membership, this rejuvenated approach to data transforms potential into impactful reality. Through strategic partnerships and a culture of collaboration, the SAC is exceptionally positioned to drive substantive, industry-wide change.

Accountability Through Industry Tools

A key example of the SAC’s ongoing evolution, is the soon-to-be-released Higg FEM 4.0. Launching in November 2023, the revamped tool epitomizes the SAC’s commitment to responsive, industry-driven solutions and the evolution of its work. Developed in close collaboration with the SAC’s extensive network of manufacturers and brands, this update sharpens the tool’s relevance and effectiveness.

Benefits and Impacts of Higg FEM 4.0

Data Precision: Improved data quality, enabling more accurate environmental assessments.Industry Alignment: Compliance with GHG Protocol and ZDHC Roadmap to Zero standards allows for precise Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions calculations, facilitating seamless Scope 3 reporting for brands and retailers.Expanded Scope: Broader coverage of critical environmental issues, from groundwater to soil contamination.User-Centric Design: Streamlined question sets and advanced platform features make the tool more intuitive and informative.Audit Efficiency: The update significantly reduces the need for duplicate audits, a crucial advantage for manufacturers.

The Higg FEM 4.0, part of the industry-leading Higg Index suite of tools, positions the SAC and its members at the forefront of industry-wide environmental accountability, delivering a more focused, relevant, and efficient tool for measuring sustainability.

CEO Statement

Amina Razvi, CEO of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, said, “We stand at a crossroads. We can either remain passive participants or become catalysts for profound, industry-wide change. This isn’t just the SAC’s journey; it’s a collective endeavor. Your involvement is the accelerator for our shared impact. We’re not merely ticking boxes; we’re drafting the blueprint for sustainable industries worldwide.”

ENDS

About the Sustainable Apparel Coalition

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) is a global, non-profit alliance of over 280 organizations in the apparel, footwear, and textile industry. Initially formed to create standardized sustainability metrics, the SAC has sharpened its focus to driving pre-competitive, collective action across three foundational pillars. As an independent entity, the SAC brings together brands, retailers, manufacturers, NGOs, academics, and industry associations to combat climate change, ensure decent work, and contribute to a nature-positive future. Central to the SAC’s mission is the Higg Index, a suite of comprehensive tools that empower members to measure, evaluate, and improve sustainability performance across the supply chain.

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