EO Sets the Bar for Sustainability in the Personal Care Industry
SAN RAFAEL, CA ‹ March 31, 2015 – Want to know what’s rare in the beauty industry? A company that manufactures everything in house. Want to know what else is rare in the beauty industry? A company that prioritizes sustainability in everything that it does, every single day.
What does sustainability mean to EO? It’s not just about recycling and lowering energy usage. It’s about creating healthy products from the inside out, and business practices that sustain that integrity. While delivering organic and non-GMO personal care products to the world, they feel a responsibility to reduce the impact of their plastic bottles and manufacturing practices.
When EO began 20 years ago, their goal was to create a higher level of responsibility for products that go on people’s bodies and in the ground. “The most impactful thing we do is create products that are healthy for people and don’t pollute the planet,” said Susan Griffin-Black, co-founder and co-CEO of EO Products. “Larger volume brands can tell a great story about the tons of paper they saved, or the recycle path for their packaging, but what’s inside the package? Is it toxic to humans and the environment?”
On the Inside EO Formulations
- Organic (when available) and Natural Ingredients
- Non-GMO
- Gluten Free
- Vegan
- Cruelty Free
- Synthetic Fragrance Free
- Paraben Free
- Disodium EDTA Free
- Sodium Laureth/Lauryl Sulfate Free
- Polysorbate Free
On the Outside EO Packaging
EO has had to work hard and search wide to secure the technology for the 100% PCR packaging on their renowned blue bottles. Glass is not an option for kids in the bathtub, so how do you deliver healthy products in a way that feels good? They are just at the cusp of being able to leverage their volume where they can demand more earth-friendly innovations from their suppliers. Since they have the organic and natural formulations down to a science, EO can focus on innovations in manufacturing and packaging. Here are some initiatives for 2015:
- Label Backing The backing of a label is usually wax paper; half of the label is waste (the backing). As soon as the label industry was able to make a liner made from PET, EO jumped on it. They recycle the PET liner and it gets turned into recycled flooring and decking.
- Pulp Packaging EO is always looking at ways to close the loop on use and re-use. As they integrate more cardboard pulp packaging (like egg cartons), the goal is to take existing cardboard and close that loop by recycling with a local BCorp partner to turn it into new packaging.
- Hotel Amenities In the past, EO provided the hotel industry with amenity products in 1.5 oz. plastic bottles. This never felt right because it creates so much waste. According to the Plastic Disclosure Project, approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste finds its way into the oceans every year. In 2015, EO is finalizing the move to a 100% refill program with hotels, fitness centers and business janitorial services.
- EO¹s goal is to be Zero Waste Certified by Q1 2016
EO Founder Brad Black in warehouse sharing new packaging
Core Values
EO chooses to manufacture in house because it allows control over quality and integrity in the process of formulating each and every product they make over 250 and growing.
“For us, the word “control” means “intention” with conscious actions and understanding our impact on ourselves and others,” said Brad Black, co-founder and co-CEO of EO Products. “How we participate on a day to day, minute by minute basis with a deeper engagement with the outcome. You can’t buy that or shop it out because you have to be engaged. That’s why I come to work‹to maintain core values in everything we do.”
BCorp Certified
B Corporations value purpose, accountability, and transparency. They are for-profit businesses that put equal value on social and environmental issues as they do on profits. EO has been working with the same values since day one, and they¹ve been a certified B Corp since January 1, 2012.
ABOUT EO PRODUCTS
At EO Products, we put the same care into responsible business practices as we do into crafting natural and organic personal care products that people love. EO stands for Essential Oils, which is at the heart and soul of everything we do. All of our products are all natural, non-GMO, gluten-free, cruelty-free and we source organic ingredients whenever and wherever we can. We never use synthetic fragrances ever. We have two brands: EO® and Everyone by EO®. EO formulations are made with pure essential oils, are indulgent to the senses, and are naturally aromatherapeutic. Everyone by EO formulations are made with uplifting essential oil blends that offer effective, affordable everyday personal care for every body. As a Certified B Corp, EO Products is family owned and operated out of Marin County, California and was founded in 1995. EO products are available online, at EO Exchange Stores in Mill Valley and San Francisco, at over 6,000 natural food and specialty stores nationwide, and in 11 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.eoproducts.com .
EO Products Commitment Infographic
