Banyan Botanicals
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2021)
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:Equivalent to 30,101 gallons of gasoline consumed in one year (Scope 1 & 2)
Scope 3 Emissions:Began measuring, starting with employee travel. Further estimation planned for 2022.
Renewable Energy Share:95-98% carbon free or reduced carbon energy at Oregon offices
ESG Focus Areas
- Fair Trade
- Sustainable Sourcing
- Organic Farming
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Climate Change
- Waste Reduction
- Community Engagement
Environmental Achievements
- Launched new Fair for Life Fair Trade certified products
- Completed initial measurement of carbon footprint
- Reduced water and energy use through various initiatives (LED lights, digital thermostats, etc.)
- 100% of organic material manufacturing wastes composted or recycled into biofuel
- Discontinued annual product catalogs to reduce footprint and waste
Social Achievements
- Turned Social and Environmental Responsibility Manager into a full-time position
- Formed SER Council for regular meetings on SER priorities
- Updated all manager job descriptions to include SER responsibilities
- Accepted into JEDI Collaborative’s Trailblazer Program
- Served 408,275 customers
- Created and introduced five new products
- Gifted 713 free Immune Health NOW herbal products to customers in need
- Implemented more inclusive language in marketing and website content
- Developed an Ethical Marketing policy and training
- Provided funds for harvesting mats and tiffin lunch boxes through the Fair for Life Development Fund
- Donated $20,000 to support community medical needs in India during COVID crisis
- Offered third annual Banyan Community Grant Fund
- Supported Project Moon initiative in India
- Offered Gift Back Cards to customers, matching 50% of gift card purchase cost to chosen cause
- Matched employee donations to US nonprofits, up to $100 per employee
- Made cash and in-kind product donations to over 60 charitable projects
- Continued support for Punarnava Community in India
- Continued Living Ayurveda Internship (LAI) program at Banyan Farm
Governance Achievements
- Maintained Certified B Corporation® status
- Completed three annual Fair for Life audits
- Certified 7 ingredients and 9 products as Fair for Life Fair Trade
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Continue to improve environmental and social responsibility
Medium-term Goals:
- Increase Fair for Life and FairWild certifications
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce carbon footprint (specific targets not stated)
Environmental Challenges
- Supply chain struggles due to the pandemic
- Out-of-stock issues for customers due to supply chain disruptions
- Difficulty in sourcing sustainable kutki
- Waste from personal protective equipment in manufacturing
- Complexity of sustainable packaging
Mitigation Strategies
- Strengthened relationships with suppliers
- Extended up to 40 hours of sick pay to employees during COVID
- Covered cost of all COVID tests not covered by insurance
- Discontinued kutki until a sustainable source is found
- Developed a comprehensive rubric to guide sustainable packaging choices
- Exploring alternatives for PPE waste
- Investing in product packaging that considers life cycle impacts and recycling
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Three annual Fair for Life audits
Responsible Procurement
- Fair for Life certification
- FairWild certification
- Organic certification
- Supplier ranking system
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: B Corp, Fair for Life
Certifications: USDA Certified Organic, Fair for Life Fair Trade, FairWild, Amazon Climate Pledge Friendly
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Fair for Life certified products