2023 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award Winners
Below are profiles for each of the 2023 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award Winners.
- American Cleaning Institute, Washington, DC
- Apple, Cupertino, CA
- Blueland, New York City, NY
- Bona US, Englewood, CO
- Case Medical, Bloomfield, NJ
- Church & Dwight Co., Inc., Ewing, NJ
- The Clorox Company, Oakland, CA
- ECOS, Cypress, CA
- Hazardous Waste Management Program, King County, WA
- Holloway House, Inc., Fortville, IN
- The Home Depot, Atlanta, GA
- Household & Commercial Products Association, Washington, DC
- ISSA-The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, Rosemont, IL
- JAWS International, Ltd., a Division of Canberra Corporation, Toledo, OH
- Jelmar, LLC, Skokie, IL
- Lemi Shine, Austin, TX
- Mighty Fire Breaker LLC, Rohnert Park, CA
- North Central Educational Service District, Wenatchee, WA
- Novozymes North America, Franklinton, NC
- Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and Pollution Prevention Resource Center, Portland, OR
- Phibro Biotechnics, a division of Phibro Animal Health Corporation, Sarasota, FL
- Pollution Prevention Resource Center, Everett, WA
- PurposeBuilt Brands, Gurnee, IL
- Roger McFadden and Associates, LLC, Canby, OR
- Rust-Oleum Corporation, Vernon Hills, IL
- Sensitive Home, Greenbrae, CA
- Seventh Generation, Burlington, VT
- Spartan Chemical Company, Maumee, OH
- State Industrial Products, Mayfield Heights, OH
- Wexford Labs, Inc., St. Louis, MO
Go back to the Partner of the Year Awards home page.
American Cleaning Institute, Washington, DC
American Cleaning Institute (ACI) is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Supporter. ACI is a trade organization that represents the U.S. cleaning product supply chain. In 2022, ACI hosted multiple events that included information on Safer Choice and reached over 700 viewers and registrants, including a collaborative webinar with Safer Choice staff. Throughout 2022, ACI featured Safer Choice messaging across social media, generating more than 6,000 impressions. ACI also secured 121 articles featuring Safer Choice, reaching up to six million individuals. Safer Choice was featured in ACI’s member and public industry newsletters, garnering more than 1,600 views and reaching more than 2,700 subscribers, respectively. ACI also provided input in discussions to develop the EPA Safer Choice Media Kit, which was designed to help Safer Choice partners and stakeholders communicate about the program and launched in spring 2023. In 2022, ACI’s 1.5°C Climate Challenge gained three additional members, bringing the total to 18. The challenge calls on companies in the cleaning products industry, including Safer Choice partners, to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, supporting EPA’s goal of addressing climate change. Safer Choice commends ACI for its dedication to supporting the Safer Choice program.
Apple, Cupertino, CA
Apple is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Innovator. Using criteria, such as Safer Choice criteria, Apple approved 58 new cleaners in 2022 for use in its supply chain, bringing the total to 133 safer cleaners approved over the past three years. Apple collected chemical inventories from more than 1,000 facilities in its supply chain and identified 19,000 unique uses of process chemicals in 2022. These data are used to identify and implement safer alternatives and protect workers from chemical hazards. In partnership with ChemFORWARD, Apple also launched ChemWorks, a website that directs electronics companies to safer cleaners and degreasers that have been evaluated by certification programs including Safer Choice. Apple also led the development and launch of IPC-1402 (Standard for Greener Cleaners Used in Electronics Manufacturing), which establishes common criteria for greener cleaners to be used across the global electronics industry. Apple supports EPA’s goal of advancing environmental justice through its Apple Impact Accelerator, which expands opportunities for Black-, Hispanic/Latinx-, and Indigenous-owned, environmentally-focused businesses. Safer Choice commends Apple for its dedication to encouraging industry adoption of safer chemicals and its commitment to using these safer chemicals in its own manufacturing processes.
Blueland, New York City, NY
Blueland is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. Blueland has been a Safer Choice partner since 2020. In 2022, 46% of Blueland’s product line was Safer Choice-certified, an increase of 25% from 2021. All of their certified products prominently display the Safer Choice label on the packaging. Blueland also promotes the Safer Choice program on their website, on their Instagram to over 400,000 followers, at trade shows, and through their email list. On Earth Day in 2022, Blueland hosted 200 demos in retail locations across the country, allowing thousands of people to learn about the Safer Choice program. All Blueland products are part of a refillable, reusable system designed to eliminate single use plastics. Their dry-format tablets are smaller and lighter than conventional, liquid-based products and reduce carbon emissions associated with shipping, supporting EPA’s goal of addressing climate change. Safer Choice commends Blueland’s commitment to sustainability and to formulating products with safer ingredients.
Bona US, Englewood, CO
Bona US is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. Bona has been a Safer Choice partner since 2020. Safer Choice certification is a companywide objective, and in 2022, 68% of Bona’s retail products were Safer Choice-certified, with all of these products displaying the Safer Choice label. Bona’s public relations coverage featuring Safer Choice, such as press releases and TV placements, garnered over 500 million views in 2022, and their website content highlighting the program received over 6,000 page views. Most of Bona’s Safer Choice-certified products are sold in refillable containers, keeping nearly 20 tons of plastic out of landfills in 2022. Bona’s new warehouse facility reduces carbon emissions from transportation and employs energy-saving techniques, contributing to Bona’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2040 as well as EPA’s goal of addressing climate change. Safer Choice commends Bona US for their commitment to formulating and raising awareness of products with ingredients that meet Safer Choice criteria.
Case Medical, Bloomfield, NJ
Case Medical is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. Case Medical has been a Safer Choice partner since 2011. Eighty percent of Case Medical’s products are Safer Choice-certified. In 2022, Case Medical expanded their market to the consumer sector with a new Safer Choice-certified product. All of Case Medical’s Safer Choice-certified products display the Safer Choice label, and the label is also promoted on the company’s blog, which has over 7,500 subscribers, on social media and in local and national educational programs. Case Medical hosts monthly educational webinars for health care professionals and others on the science behind safer and sustainable chemistries, encouraging the use of Safer Choice-certified products. In 2022, Case Medical promoted Safer Choice at a health care conference with over 1,200 participants and hosted hands-on workshops for approximately 80 participants demonstrating how safer chemical usage is crucial for patient and staff care. Safer Choice commends Case Medical for their commitment to formulating products with safer chemical ingredients and promoting the Safer Choice program.
Church & Dwight Co., Inc., Ewing, NJ
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (CHD) is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. CHD has been a Safer Choice partner since 2015. In 2022, CHD doubled its active portfolio of Safer Choice-certified products. CHD made its newly launched Safer Choice-certified laundry detergent more accessible to lower income shoppers by offering affordable prices and making this product available at retailers that serve low-income communities, supporting EPA’s goal of advancing environmental justice. Materials promoting the new laundry detergent highlighted the Safer Choice label, and CHD’s media campaign following the product launch generated more than 370 million impressions. The Safer Choice label is featured on CHD’s website, social media and packaging. Their Safer Choice-certified products are produced in manufacturing facilities that use 100% renewable energy. CHD implemented formula concentrations across their liquid detergent products in 2022, reducing plastic use by 17%, water use by 31%, and CO2 emissions from shipping by 2,800 metric tons. These efforts support EPA’s goal of addressing climate change. Safer Choice commends CHD for its environmental stewardship and commitment to formulating products with safer chemical ingredients.
The Clorox Company, Oakland, CA
The Clorox Company (Clorox) is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. Clorox has been a Safer Choice partner since 2007. In 2022, Clorox increased their EPA Design for the Environment (DfE)-certified product offering by 25% and increased their combined Safer Choice- and DfE-certified product Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) by 19% from the previous year. Clorox launched a new Safer Choice- and DfE-certified product line in 2022 and advertisements on social media featuring these products yielded more than 6.2 million impressions. All Clorox Safer Choice-certified products display the Safer Choice label on the front of the packaging, and the label is also promoted on their website, marketing collateral, social media and shipping cases. Clorox uses the SmartLabel platform to provide ingredient transparency and in 2022, added a feature that links back to the Safer Choice website to enhance consumer knowledge of the program. In 2022, Clorox developed a resource designed to increase consumer understanding of the function of cleaning product ingredients by developing standardized terms for over 800 ingredients. Eighty-four percent of Clorox packaging is recyclable, reusable or compostable—an 8% increase since 2021. Safer Choice commends Clorox’s commitment to consumer education and to formulating products with safer ingredients.
ECOS, Cypress, CA
ECOS is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. ECOS has been a Safer Choice partner since 2008. In 2022, ECOS submitted three new products for Safer Choice certification, and Safer Choice-certified products now make up 88% of their product offering. Ninety-eight percent of ECOS’ Safer Choice-certified products feature the Safer Choice label on the packaging. The label is also displayed on print and digital advertising, display trays, shipping boxes and on signage at ECOS facilities. Throughout 2022, ECOS promoted the importance of safer chemicals and Safer Choice-certified products on their social media. In 2022, ECOS’s CEO spoke at numerous conferences, webinars and podcasts and highlighted the Safer Choice program at each one. In 2022, ECOS developed new laundry and dish packs, concentrated cleaners and detergent sheets designed to reduce or eliminate plastic packaging. ECOS uses 100% renewable energy in their facilities, which saves more than 28 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Further, in 2022, ECOS diverted 4,500 tons of trash through a variety of waste reduction strategies, supporting EPA’s goal of addressing climate change. Safer Choice commends ECOS’s dedication to sustainability and formulating products with safer chemical ingredients.
Hazardous Waste Management Program, King County, WA
Hazardous Waste Management Program (Haz Waste Program), a coalition of local governments in King County, Washington, is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Supporter. In 2022, the Haz Waste Program continued its tailored outreach, education and technical assistance around safer chemicals to residents and small businesses in underserved communities, supporting EPA’s goal of advancing environmental justice. The Haz Waste Program worked with community-based organizations to develop and deliver classes and workshops to more than 3,000 individuals representing 33 countries of origin on safer cleaning practices and how to identify hazardous products. Several outreach materials featuring the Safer Choice label, including webpages, postcards, flyers and posters, have been translated into multiple languages and reached thousands of individuals in 2022. The Haz Waste Program included information about Safer Choice in educational presentations to affordable housing property managers at King County Housing Authority, reaching 77 participants representing 19 housing communities. The Haz Waste Program also provides technical and financial support to small businesses to help them switch to using Safer Choice-certified products. In 2022, the program provided businesses with nearly 300 bottles of Safer Choice-certified all-purpose cleaners for them to try. Safer Choice commends the Haz Waste Program’s commitment to educating their community about products with safer ingredients.
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Holloway House, Inc., Fortville, IN
Holloway House, Inc. is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. Holloway House has been a Safer Choice partner since 2008. In 2022, Holloway House reformulated their floor finishing products to replace per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with a safer chemical alternative, an important innovation in this sector. The Safer Choice label is displayed on the front and back of all of Holloway House’s Safer Choice-certified products. Holloway House also refreshed their product labels in 2022 to better highlight the Safer Choice label. Throughout 2022, Holloway House promoted the Safer Choice program at 20 tradeshows and vendor demonstrations and during nearly 100 sales presentations to retailers and buyers. Holloway House has a dedicated Safer Choice page on their website that explains the program and highlights their Safer Choice-certified products. In 2022, Holloway House reached an estimated three million social media impressions and published approximately 200 social media posts highlighting Safer Choice-certified products. Holloway House participates in a cardboard recycling program to reduce waste and recently expanded their transition to LED lights to reduce energy used in manufacturing, supporting EPA’s goal of addressing climate change. Safer Choice commends Holloway House’s commitment to formulating products with safer chemical ingredients and promoting the Safer Choice program.
The Home Depot, Atlanta, GA
The Home Depot is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Retailer. The Home Depot promotes the Safer Choice-certified products they sell through in store signage, and its website has multiple features to help customers identify these products. The Home Depot continues to use their Eco Actions program website to promote the Safer Choice program by including the Safer Choice label and Safer Choice website link, as well as interviews, videos and links to Safer Choice-certified products. This website received over 350,000 visitors in 2022. Safer Choice product certification was featured in Home Depot’s 2022 Annual ESG Report, which also had a greener cleaning section that highlighted a Safer Choice partner and their past Partner of the Year award. In 2022, Home Depot mentioned Safer Choice in an article garnering more than 800,000 impressions. Safer Choice applauds The Home Depot’s dedication to selling products with safer chemical ingredients and promoting the Safer Choice program to consumers.
Household & Commercial Products Association, Washington, DC
The Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA) is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Supporter. HCPA is a trade association representing companies that manufacture and sell products used for cleaning, protecting, maintaining and disinfecting in homes and commercial environments. In 2022, HCPA hosted Safer Choice staff as a speaker at several HCPA events, which were attended by nearly 800 participants in total. HCPA also promotes Safer Choice messaging and updates in press releases and on social media, reaching more than 10,000 people in 2022, and through their member listserv. In conversations with congressional staff in 2022, HCPA emphasized the importance of safer chemistry. More than half of HCPA members who are Safer Choice partners sell their products in stores that cater to underserved communities (e.g., dollar stores), increasing access to effective products with safer chemical ingredients. In 2022, HCPA formed the Sustainability & Product Stewardship Council, which supports members’ sustainability initiatives and promotes the transition to an environmentally and socially sustainable economy. Also in 2022, HCPA focused their annual Innovation Awards on the industry transition to a sustainable economy. These efforts further EPA’s goal of addressing climate change and advancing environmental justice. Safer Choice commends HCPA’s commitment to sustainability and educating its members and the public about safer chemicals.
ISSA-The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Products Association, Rosemont, IL
ISSA-The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association (ISSA) is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Supporter. ISSA is a trade association with more than 10,500 members worldwide, including manufacturers and distributors of cleaning products as well as cleaning service provider (CSP) organizations. In 2022, ISSA took a leadership role at the Safer Choice Summit in presenting ideas for and a justification of a potential certification program for CSPs that would encourage the use of Safer Choice-certified products across the CSP community. ISSA also provided feedback on the Safer Choice Media Kit and engaged with program staff on other opportunities, including Pollution Prevention (P2) Grants funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to promote use of Safer Choice-certified products. ISSA online magazines and newsletters regularly highlight the Safer Choice program and reach tens of thousands of manufacturers, distributors and CSPs. ISSA also promoted the Safer Choice program, including through Safer Choice staff participation, during two panel discussions at The ISSA Show in 2022. ISSA furthers EPA’s goal of addressing environmental justice issues by engaging in training and education activities for CSPs, who are often members of underserved communities. Safer Choice commends ISSA for its dedication to supporting the Safer Choice program.
JAWS International, Ltd., a Division of Canberra Corporation, Toledo, OH
JAWS International, Ltd., a Division of Canberra Corporation (Canberra Corporation) is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. Canberra Corporation has been a Safer Choice partner since 2009. In 2022, 77% of Canberra Corporation’s consumer product offerings were Safer Choice-certified, an increase of 11% over the previous year. Their concentrated cartridge products, when used with a refillable spray bottle, reduce plastic waste by 83% and energy used by 2,900%, compared to traditional spray bottles. This supports EPA’s goal of addressing climate change. The Canberra Corporation website features a page explaining the Safer Choice program, as well as blog posts encouraging consumers to choose Safer Choice-certified products. Canberra Corporation also promotes the Safer Choice program on their social media accounts, in digital advertising and via a radio interview that aired in more than 250 U.S. cities. Safer Choice commends Canberra Corporation for their commitment to sustainability and furthering the goals of the Safer Choice program.
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Jelmar, LLC, Skokie, IL
Jelmar, LLC is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. Jelmar, a woman- and family-owned company, has been a Safer Choice partner since 2004. Nearly half of Jelmar’s products are Safer Choice-certified, and all their certified products prominently display the Safer Choice label on the front of the package. Jelmar also features the Safer Choice label on their website and within sales, marketing, media and press materials. In 2022, Jelmar’s advertisements featuring the Safer Choice label garnered more than 252 million impressions, and 37 media placements featuring the Safer Choice program yielded more than 700 million impressions, a 93% increase from 2021. Jelmar also published 115 social media posts mentioning the Safer Choice program or displaying the label in 2022, yielding more than 680,000 impressions. In 2022, Jelmar participated in 11 tradeshows and included the Safer Choice label and messaging at all of them. Jelmar’s sustainable shipping initiatives in 2022 resulted in 10,668 tons of greenhouse gas emissions reduced, more than six million gallons of water saved, and 4,445 cubic yards of waste diverted from landfill, furthering EPA’s goal of addressing climate change. Safer Choice applauds Jelmar’s dedication to manufacturing products with safer chemicals and its promotion of the Safer Choice program.
Lemi Shine, Austin, TX
Lemi Shine is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. Lemi Shine has been a Safer Choice partner since 2017. Eighteen of Lemi Shine’s 21 products are Safer Choice-certified, and all of their certified products prominently display the Safer Choice label. Across Lemi Shine’s product portfolio, 99% of ingredients used are included on EPA’s Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL), and more than 60% are listed on CleanGredients, a database of chemical ingredients pre-approved for use in Safer Choice-certified products. Lemi Shine focuses on educating customers about the advantages of green chemistry for their well-being and safety. Their social media and blog posts contain helpful cleaning tips that promote Lemi Shine’s Safer Choice-certified products. Lemi Shine’s posts, articles and media outreach with information on the Safer Choice program have gained more than two billion impressions. Safer Choice commends Lemi Shine’s dedication to formulating and promoting products with safer chemical ingredients.
Mighty Fire Breaker LLC, Rohnert Park, CA
Mighty Fire Breaker LLC became a Safer Choice partner in 2022 and is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. One hundred percent of the Mighty Fire Breaker product line is Safer Choice-certified, and all products display the Safer Choice label on the front of the package. Mighty Fire Breaker’s liquid fire inhibitor is the first fire defense product to earn Safer Choice certification, creating a new product category for the program. This product aims to enable the sustainable use of water in the prevention and extinguishment of wildfires and uses 90% less water than current methods of firefighting. In 2022, Mighty Fire Breaker promoted Safer Choice at conferences and during radio appearances, as well as in blogs, social media, emails, product flyers and all other electronic and print media. Mighty Fire Breaker also created a children’s book that discusses the challenges presented by climate change and the importance of reading product labels, looking for the Safer Choice label and knowing what’s in products people buy. Safer Choice commends Mighty Fire Breaker for their commitment to formulating and manufacturing products with safer chemical ingredients.
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North Central Educational Service District, Wenatchee, WA
North Central Educational Service District (NCESD) is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Supporter. NCESD is one of Washington’s nine Educational Service Districts that provide educational resources, leadership and service to school districts and educational staff. NCESD offers sustainable design educational opportunities for teachers which they take back to their classrooms, and the Safer Choice program is incorporated into several of these courses. NCESD developed a free online resource called STEMify your Classroom Supply List, which includes a lesson for students on assessing the hazards of chemicals in various cleaning products and how to identify safer alternatives using a Safer Choice-certified product as an example. NCESD shared this resource and information on Safer Choice with teachers during an in-person training, including giving participants a Safer Choice-certified product to encourage them to incorporate the lesson plan in their classrooms. They also developed an online course for teachers on sustainable design and green certification, with one module covering third party certification including Safer Choice and Design for the Environment (DfE). Forty-eight teachers have completed this course so far. NCESD markets their resources for teachers and students to schools in underserved communities, furthering EPA’s goal of advancing environmental justice. Safer Choice commends NCESD’s commitment to educating children and teachers about cleaning products with safer chemical ingredients.
Novozymes North America, Franklinton, NC
Novozymes is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Innovator. In 2022, Novozymes added six ingredients to CleanGredients, a database of chemical ingredients pre-approved for use in Safer Choice-certified products, bringing their total CleanGredients listings to nearly 20. Novozymes also advocated for industry organizations to prioritize supporting Safer Choice. To build awareness of Safer Choice, Novozymes promoted its Safer Choice-certified products and the Safer Choice program on its website and social media channels. In 2022, Novozymes achieved 100% circular management of biomass, which makes up 96% of its solid waste. In addition, 82% of Novozymes’ electricity came from renewable sources, and the company has achieved a 63% reduction of their CO2 emissions with a goal of reaching net-zero by 2050, furthering EPA’s goal of addressing climate change. Safer Choice commends Novozymes for their work to sustainably manufacture safer chemicals.
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and Pollution Prevention Resource Center, Portland, OR
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (Oregon DEQ) and the Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PPRC) are recognized as outstanding Safer Choice Supporters. In 2022, Oregon DEQ and PPRC offered education and financial assistance to product formulators and ingredient manufacturers that expressed interest in pursuing Safer Choice certification or listing on CleanGredients. The Certification Assistance Program (CAP) started in 2021 with an EPA Pollution Prevention (P2) grant to Oregon DEQ. Oregon DEQ and PPRC provided manufacturers with input on formulations, assistance in submitting required documentation, advice on performance testing requirements and financial reimbursement to help cover third-party profiler assessment fees. In 2022, the CAP worked closely with six businesses, leading to Safer Choice certification of three products and listing of one ingredient on CleanGredients. Their efforts continue with expanded outreach, a social media campaign and continued availability of direct assistance and financial support to businesses. Safer Choice commends Oregon DEQ and PPRC for their commitment to helping manufacturers produce products with safer chemical ingredients.
Phibro Biotechnics, a division of Phibro Animal Health Corporation, Sarasota, FL
Phibro Biotechnics, a division of Phibro Animal Health Corporation (Phibro Biotechnics), is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. Phibro Biotechnics, formerly known as Osprey Biotechnics, has been a Safer Choice partner since 2003 and develops microbial products and bioproducts for a large range of environmental, industrial and agricultural applications, including consumer products. All of Phibro Biotechnics’ Safer Choice-certified products prominently display the Safer Choice label, with the majority displaying the label on the front of the package. In 2022, Phibro Biotechnics promoted the Safer Choice label through email campaigns, technical training, and sales support to both customers and representatives of Phibro Biotechnics' branded and and private-label products. These trainings and presentations included information on the Safer Choice program and its importance for manufacturers, end users and the environment. Safer Choice commends Phibro Biotechnics’ commitment to manufacturing products with safer ingredients and educating industry on the Safer Choice program.
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Pollution Prevention Resource Center, Everett, WA
Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PPRC) is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Supporter. In 2022, PPRC conducted direct outreach and delivered webinars for cleaning service providers to promote the use of Safer Choice-certified products. These webinars focused on exposure and impact of chemicals in cleaning products on human health and the environment, understanding product claims, the Safer Choice label and Design for the Environment (DfE) logo and how to find Safer Choice- and DfE-certified products. PPRC delivered five webinars in Spanish, and to recruit participants, PPRC conducted direct outreach to Spanish-speaking businesses and workers through phone calls, emails and website and social media posts. PPRC’s educational webinars have been attended by more than 100 participants and have also been viewed more than 100 times on social media. In 2022, PPRC presented this work during a Pollution Prevention (P2) Regional Roundtable session on environmental justice to an audience of more than 50 attendees. During this roundtable, PPRC gave recommendations to create Safer Choice fact sheets in multiple languages, build partnerships with other organizations and provide in-person or virtual demonstrations on Safer Choice-certified products to local businesses and organizations. By removing the English language barrier and broadening access to information about safer chemicals, PPRC’s work supports EPA’s goal of advancing environmental justice. Safer Choice commends PPRC’s commitment to educating their community about products with safer ingredients.
PurposeBuilt Brands, Gurnee, IL
PurposeBuilt Brands is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. PurposeBuilt Brands has been a Safer Choice partner since 2019. PurposeBuilt Brands has 43 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) that are Safer Choice-certified across three brands. Within those brands, Safer Choice-certified products made up an increasing percentage of sales in 2022 and were made available at an additional key retailer. PurposeBuilt Brands displays the Safer Choice label on the front of all certified products and features program messaging on its social media, newsletter and trade show booth and print materials, as well as in customer presentations. PurposeBuilt Brands’ corporate and brand websites feature the Safer Choice label on product and other pages, garnering more than 50,000 views in 2022. PurposeBuilt Brands also contributed to a panel discussion on supplier communication at the 2022 Safer Choice Summit. In 2022, PurposeBuilt Brands prioritized shipping efficiency and reduced fuel usage by optimizing warehouse locations, contributing to EPA’s goal of addressing climate change. Safer Choice commends PurposeBuilt Brands’ dedication to sustainably producing products with safer chemical ingredients.
Roger McFadden and Associates, LLC, Canby, OR
McFadden and Associates, LLC is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Supporter. McFadden and Associates has 30 years of experience designing and manufacturing both professional and household cleaning products. In 2022, they educated business clients about Safer Choice certification, EPA’s Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL) and CleanGredients, a database of chemical ingredients pre-approved for use in Safer Choice-certified products. Through virtual meetings, McFadden and Associates introduced the Safer Choice program to janitorial supply distributors, cleaning products manufacturers, retailers, hospitals and education institutions. They also assisted clients in obtaining Safer Choice certification for six products and Design for the Environment (DfE) certification for three products. McFadden and Associates also conducted five separate four-day cleaning products and practices boot camps for a major retailer, where they educated participants on the Safer Choice Standard and criteria and promoted Safer Choice-certified products. McFadden and Associates informed major retailers on the value of Safer Choice certification through participation and leadership in multiple industry committees and moderated a session at the 2022 Safer Choice Summit. Based on McFadden and Associates’ recommendation, a retailer launched six Safer Choice-certified products in 2022 that were manufactured by a non-profit organization that employs people with disabilities. This supports EPA’s goal of advancing environmental justice. In addition, McFadden and Associates works with clients to select sustainable materials to help reduce waste and to reduce the greenhouse gas impact of products across their lifecycle, supporting EPA’s goal of addressing climate change. Safer Choice commends McFadden and Associates’ commitment to helping clients design, manufacture, use and sell products with safer ingredients.
Rust-Oleum Corporation, Vernon Hills, IL
Rust-Oleum Corporation is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. Rust-Oleum has been a Safer Choice partner since 2012. In 2022, Rust-Oleum increased sales of their Safer Choice-certified product offering and launched their first Design for the Environment (DfE)-certified disinfectant line. Rust-Oleum also has an initiative to reformulate all their industrial cleaners to be Safer Choice-certified. Rust-Oleum features the Safer Choice label on the front packaging of their Safer Choice-certified products and on product webpages. In 2022, page views on Rust-Oleum’s brand website increased by more than 144,000 times over the previous year, and Rust-Oleum updated their website to promote Safer Choice and DfE. Rust-Oleum also created a new digital hub in 2022 to promote their brand and its safer chemistry elements. Safer Choice commends Rust-Oleum Corporation for their commitment to promoting the Safer Choice program and to manufacturing products with safer chemical ingredients.
Sensitive Home, Greenbrae, CA
Sensitive Home is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. Sensitive Home designs cleaners with safer ingredients for people with chemical, skin and respiratory sensitivities and has been a Safer Choice partner since 2020. In 2022, 100% of Sensitive Home products were Safer Choice-certified products, and they all display the Safer Choice label on the front of the package. Sensitive Home includes the Safer Choice label and messaging about the program through their online store, print marketing materials and media outreach. All ingredients used by Sensitive Home are listed on EPA’s Safer Chemical Ingredients list (SCIL) and/or on CleanGredients, a database of chemical ingredients pre-approved for use in Safer Choice-certified products. Safer Choice commends Sensitive Home’s commitment to producing cleaning products with safer chemical ingredients.
Seventh Generation, Burlington, VT
Seventh Generation is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. Seventh Generation has been a Safer Choice partner since 2009. In 2022, Seventh Generation increased its number of Safer Choice-certified products from 80 to 89. Seventh Generation underwent a label rebrand in 2022, which prioritized displaying the Safer Choice label on the front of product packaging. The Safer Choice label is also featured in Seventh Generation’s print and digital marketing materials, including on promotions run through ecommerce channels. As of 2022, Seventh Generation has a dedicated Compliance Scientist who works specifically on Safer Choice certification. Seventh Generation promoted their Safer Choice-certified products through their blog and social media, which have over 1.5 million followers combined, and two posts specific to Safer Choice yielded over 7,500 total impressions. Safer Choice commends Seventh Generation for their commitment to manufacturing products with ingredients that are safer for consumers and the environment.
Spartan Chemical Company, Maumee, OH
Spartan Chemical Company is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. Spartan Chemical has been a Safer Choice partner since 2008. Spartan Chemical has 15 Safer Choice- and two DfE-certified products. In 2022, Spartan Chemical launched a new Design for the Environment (DfE)-certified disinfectant, highlighted its DfE certification during product launch, and saw sales of DfE-certified products increase by 5,000 times more than 2021 sales. Spartan Chemical features the Safer Choice label on product specification sheets and brochures, on the company website and on other marketing materials. Spartan Chemical also uses social media to share information about Safer Choice and has garnered more than 500 impressions with their Safer Choice-related posts. In 2022, Spartan Chemical highlighted their Safer Choice partnership while participating in EPA’s Region 5 Clean Communities Workshop and discussed Safer Choice certification during five regular training seminars that each had nearly 60 attendees. Spartan Chemical recycles 65% of waste, saving 60 tons of virgin plastic annually, and the company is adjusting operations to reduce their carbon footprint, furthering EPA’s goal of addressing climate change. Safer Choice commends Spartan Chemical’s commitment to promoting the Safer Choice program and to producing products with safer chemical ingredients in a sustainable manner.
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State Industrial Products, Mayfield Heights, OH
State Industrial Products is recognized as an outstanding Safer Choice Formulator-Product Manufacturer. State Industrial has been a Safer Choice partner since 2002 and has 16 Safer Choice-certified products in the industrial and institutional cleaning space, with sales of certified products increasing in 2022. State Industrial has worked to reduce allergens in their products and routinely uses CleanGredients, a database of chemical ingredients pre-approved for use in Safer Choice-certified products, to identify raw materials. State Industrial promotes the Safer Choice program at trade shows, on their website and on social media. State Industrial’s General Services Administration (GSA) pricing scheme, which ensures that customers who provide mainly to homeless shelters or subsidized housing have access to State Industrial’s Safer Choice-certified products at a significant discount, furthers EPA’s goal of addressing environmental justice issues. Safer Choice commends State Industrial Products’ commitment to formulating products with safer chemical ingredients.
Wexford Labs, Inc., St. Louis, MO
Wexford Labs is recognized as an outstanding Design for the Environment (DfE) Formulator-Product Manufacturer. Wexford Labs manufactures and distributes environmentally friendly cleaners and disinfectants and has been a Safer Choice/DfE partner since 2011. Wexford Labs has three DfE-certified products, and DfE-certified products make up 33% of their core disinfectant products, which are the focus of their marketing. Wexford regularly creates marketing materials to educate consumers on the importance of the DfE and Safer Choice programs. All of Wexford Labs’ DfE-certified products display the new (2022) DfE logo on the front of the product. In 2022, Wexford Labs brought on two new private label customers for their DfE-certified products. Since 2020, Wexford Labs has donated citric acid-based disinfecting wipes to organizations, communities and individuals affected by environmental disaster and poverty, contributing to EPA’s focus on environmental justice. Safer Choice commends Wexford Lab’s commitment to producing DfE-certified disinfecting products.