In honor of Earth Day this year, we want to recognize and support green businesses that are doing the best possible to remain eco-conscious and sustainable in their practices, including our own two businesses, The Local Flea (a secondhand retail outlet) and Remoov, a hauling and resale service. 

  • According to a Nielsen survey, 81 percent of users believe it is “extremely” or “very important” for businesses to “implement programs to improve the environment,” and 30 percent are “willing to pay a premium for products that emphasize social responsibility claims.” 
  • Millennials are in the highest bracket with 90 percent agreeing that businesses should take action to address social and environmental challenges.
  • Sustainable businesses provide items that are long-lasting and sustainably sourced and use ecologically friendly manufacturing and development techniques.
  • They seek to transform the face of corporate environmental participation and accountability.

​THE 10 MOST SUSTAINABLE U.S. COMPANIES FOR 2022

As initially mostly reported by Grow Ensemble, the following list shares some of the top environmentally-friendly businesses in America. One excellent way to verify this is through their certifications. B Corporation certification is considered the gold standard for better-for-the-world business practices. “B” means the company achieved a minimum score on the B Impact Assessment which is divided into five impact areas: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment, and Customers. The environmental area of the assessment is very stringent and thorough. The following list applies.

1. Patagonia

At forty-seven years in the business at the cutting edge of environmentally conscious business practices, this outdoor clothing company takes countless routes to be eco-friendly. A champion for environmental activism since its inception, they have pledged 1% of sales to the conservation of the natural environment and awarded over $89 million to national and international grassroots, environmental groups. Much of their raw materials are recycled or grown organically in order to reduce their environmental footprint. On top of all of that, their initiative, Patagonia Action Works, helps connect consumers with local activist groups in their community. 

2. Seventh Generation

The paper, personal care, and cleaning product company, Seventh Generation, has been focused on being eco-friendly since being founded in 1988. Seventh Generation’s mission is “to transform the world into a healthy, sustainable and equitable place for the next seven generations.” Along with their plant-based products made of ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients, Seventh Generation makes sure their packaging is just as environmentally friendly as their products. The goal is to become a zero-waste company by 2025. Also focused on environmental advocacy, the company is very concerned about information access and fights for legislation requiring product ingredient disclosures. They also support the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 campaign, an environmental initiative to get cities across the country to commit to 100% clean, renewable, and just energy usage by 2050. Their foundation, Seventh Generation Foundation, supports community action as well, offering grants to nonprofit organizations “that promote and improve environmental conservation, the sustainable use of natural resources, and human health and social welfare” with at least half of the Foundation’s funds donated to indigenous-led organizations.

3. Solstice 

Solstice’s mission is to make solar power available for every American. The non-profit company was founded on the belief that every American household can and should be powered by renewable energy. Solstice is working for greater energy equity and a future where household income, credit scores, and other factors don’t bar any American from having access to affordable renewable energy. Solstice installs community solar systems so that people who don’t have the rooftops or other means to install solar power systems can still access solar energy, especially in low-income and BIPOC communities. They also focus on organization, education, innovation, and policy solutions. 

4. New Belgium Brewing

New Belgium Brewing Company is the fourth-largest craft brewery in the US and has been committed to being eco-friendly since its founding in 1991. During the initial founding, the owners took a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park and set down their core values, “…kindling social, environmental and cultural change as a business role model; environmental stewardship; and honoring nature at every turn of the business.” The Fort Collins based brewery uses only sustainable vendors and is also a Platinum-certified Zero Waste Business meaning 99.9% of its waste does not go to a landfill.  

5. Tesla 

Tesla is leading the way when it comes to electric vehicles, as well as solar and other forms of clean energy. Their mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to clean energy, and they’ve been doing just that. According to Tesla’s 2020 impact report, “Tesla customers helped accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy by avoiding 5.0 million metric tons of CO2e emissions.” From making personal EVs more attainable to offering among the lowest-cost solar panels available in the US, Tesla is striving to overhaul the world’s most carbon-intensive industries. The company even offers smaller eco-friendly home goods, such as smart humidifiers and air purifiers.

6. Dr. Bronner’s

Dr. Bronner’s All-One organic soaps and personal care products are some of the best-selling eco-friendly products. There are 6 “Cosmic Principles” that guide the whole company in how they do business and how they create their products, including “treat the earth like home” and “be fair to suppliers.” Dr. Bronner’s organic and fair trade ingredients are all certified by some of the most environmentally and socially sustainable organizations. All of their plastic bottles are 100% post-consumer recycled, which conserves resources and reduces landfill waste. The California-based company also builds equitable supply chains through its fair trade practices. Dr. Bronner’s fair trade principles include fair and stable prices to farmers, environmental stability, and no forced or child labor. 

7. Preserve

Preserve’s founder worked with dentists, scientists, and engineers to design the Preserve Toothbrush made from recycled plastics in 1996. They now make many eco-friendly products from recycled plastics, including razors, measuring cups, and colanders. The company also makes plant-based products like compostable straws, cups, and plates. One of their new initiatives, Preserve Ocean Plastic Initiative (POPi), uses plastics from the coastlines and oceans to make toothbrushes and razors, reducing the plastic waste in the oceans. All of Preserve’s products are recyclable or compostable. 

8. Numi Organic Tea

Numi Organic Tea, an Oakland-based enterprise, is a rare quadruple-bottom line company that includes people, planet, profit, and purpose in its business model. 

Numi’s teas are made with organic teas, herbs, and 100% real fruits, flowers, and spices and are ethically sourced. Almost all (93% in 2017) are Fair Trade or Fair Labor certified products. Their company also uses sustainable packaging for their teas. The tea boxes are made of 90% post-consumer recycled content and their tea wrappers are now compostable. Numi Organic Tea celebrated Earth Day by pledging to become carbon neutral by 2023. Their three-step plan includes reducing emissions throughout their supply chain, using 100% renewable energy for their headquarters, and offsetting emissions.

9. Rogue Creamery

If you’re on the lookout for sustainable handcrafted blue cheese, look no further than Rogue Creamery based in Southern Oregon’s Rogue River Valley. USDA Certified Organic, made with all organic ingredients, and Certified Humane, using ethical stewardship for their land and farm animals. At their dairy farm, the creamery builds soil health and biodiversity and prioritizes their animals’ health and welfare. The creamery also employs a dairy waste repurposing system that converts waste into usable byproducts, including bedding for cows and fertilizer. 

10. West Paw

For eco-friendly pet supplies, West Paw is a great company to consider. Based in Bozeman, Montana, West Paw uses all sustainable materials for its products. Their triple bottom line comes down to people, pets, and the planet. West Paw has kept 12.6 million plastic bottles from landfills. West Paw also designed Zogoflex, which can be recycled infinitely to make new toys. They created their own recycling program, Join the Loop, in 2009 to keep this cycle going. Customers can mail in their old Zogoflex toys that will be recycled into new Zogoflex toys.

Top Ten Most Eco-Friendly Companies in the United States

Including a sustainability index as reported on by Earth & Human.

1. McCormick & Company Incorporated-Sustainability score: 79.3%

Food manufacturing

The company has engaged in subsistence manufacturing, which entails investing in agricultural communities while supporting women. Also imports commodities from over 80 nations worldwide.

2. American Water Works Company Inc.-Sustainability score: 77.1%

Public Utility

Established in 1886, the company administers drinking and sewage water in operating countries. Employs more than 7,000 individuals who serve over 14 million populations in 46 states. By 2025, the corporation intends to cut carbon emissions by approximately 40%.

3. Cisco Systems Inc.-Sustainability score: 75.8%

High-technology

Cisco Systems Inc. is known for both production and marketing of hardware equipment. Currently, it employs approximately 76,000 people worldwide and receives 83 percent of its energy from renewable sources.

4. Owens Corning-Sustainability score: 74.6%

Roofing and Fiberglass

Owens Corning is a company that makes fiberglass, roofing, and insulation products. Employing about 19,000 people and 2030 sustainability goals encompass doubling positive product impact, halving negative product effect, expanding diversity and inclusivity, and creating a beneficial effect on societies. 

5. Trane Technologies PLC-Sustainability score: 72% 

Industrial Manufacturing 

Based in the United States and Ireland, the corporation, established in 1905, employs roughly 50,000 people worldwide and strives for carbon neutrality, zero waste contribution to landfills, and net positive water use.

6. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co-Sustainability score: 71.5%

Information Technology

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co separated from HP five years ago and now offers assistance in servers, networking, storage, consulting, and financial sectors while dedicating itself to developing a long-term strategy to meet technology demands and managing a renewable energy facility over the next few decades.

7. Autodesk, Inc.-Sustainability score: 67.8%

Software Company

Based in California and one of the largest software businesses in the United States of America, AutoCAD, or computer-aided design software, is produced by the corporation, which was formed 39 years back in 1982. Autodesk, Inc. is dedicated to increasing energy and material performance through financial and software donations.

8. Ball Corporation-Sustainability score: 67.5%

Product Manufacturing

Ranked eighth among the most environmentally friendly firms in the United States, Ball is based in Colorado, and also became the world’s largest food and beverage container made of recyclable metal. Ball Corporation’s aluminum is environmentally friendly. Additionally, the corporation also gives monetary assistance to non-governmental groups and has its sustainability targets audited by third-party companies.

9. HP Inc.-Sustainability score: 67.2%

Information Technology 

With 53,000 staff, HP Inc. has pledged to use its innovation, knowledge, and reputation to make a big difference worldwide, specifically in areas like healthcare, sanitation, and drinking water.

10. Comerica Incorporated-Sustainability score: 66.5%

Financial Services 

With branches in numerous locations, including California, Arizona, Michigan, and Florida, Comerica Incorporated is the only financial company ranking among the most sustainable companies in the United States. Comerica Incorporated reduced its emissions of greenhouse gases and garbage to landfills by 20% in just a single year, in 2020. Compared to 2019, it reduced water consumption by 30% and paper consumption by a staggering 50%.

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