Reducing our footprint one step at a time
We’re concerned about using sustainable technology. So as a company, we are committed to deliver eco-friendly brands that consumers can enjoy responsibly. We know how crucial it is, and we’re committed to doing our part.
Our goals
During Earth Week in 2018, we released new environmental sustainability goals called Ambition 2030. These broad-reaching goals have a common aim: to enable and inspire positive impact on the environment and society while creating value for the Company and consumers.
In an attempt to address two of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges — finite resources and growing consumption — we’ve developed pillars to focus on four specific areas:
Enable responsible consumption, packaging, ingredients, and safety
Reduce our footprint, protect the forests, and improve livelihoods of palm smallholders
Ensure packaging won’t find its way to the ocean, protect water, and advance recycling solutions
Educate employees, integrate sustainability into business plans, and reward progress
We were able to create these ambitious goals for the future because we’ve made so much progress on our 2020 goals. To do that, we focused on improving our efficiency and reducing our footprint in three areas, which you can explore here. Click to jump to each section.
Conserving water
Over the past two decades, our teams have been developing innovative ways to reduce and recycle water use in our facilities and help you reduce it in your home.
Reducing our water usage
2020 goal: Reduce freshwater use by 20%
Reduced our water usage by more than 27% per unit of production
For the past five years, we’ve been working with experts at the World Resources Institute’s Aqueduct Project to develop a process that allows us to determine which manufacturing sites and supplier locations have limited access to water.
As a result of addressing the risks at these sites, we’ve been able to reduce our freshwater usage. For example, our Bounty and Charmin plant in Oxnard, California reduced theirs by 28%.
Helping you save water in your home
2020 goal: Provide 1 billion people access to water-efficient products
Provided access to water to more than 610 million consumers
To use many P&G products, water is required. We’re working hard to create ways that allow you to use less water but still get the full benefit.
Cascade Platinum Action Pacs clean stuck-on food so well you can save more than 20 gallons of water per load.*
Households using Swiffer Wet or WetJet can save more than 70 gallons of water per year compared to the standard mop and bucket.
2016 Sustainability Award for Water
The American Forest & Paper Association
Eliminating waste
We have a vision that one day absolutely zero consumer and manufacturing waste will go to landfills. To help lead the way and set the tone for what’s possible, we’re on a mission to achieve that now.
Recycling manufacturing waste
2020 goal: Zero manufacturing waste to landfills
72% of our manufacturing sites have already achieved this
Since 2007, our Global Assets and Recovery Purchases (GARP) program has diverted nearly 700,000 metric tons of trash from landfills, finding alternative uses for this would-be waste.
In China, Pampers’ highly absorbent materials are used to create a fertilizer that holds water for extended periods of time, allowing locals to replant in harsh areas like the Gobi Desert.
At our Akashi site, scrap Always pads are being recycled into absorbent cat litter.
Helping you reduce waste
In a world where living green has become more important than ever, we know it’s important to create environmentally sustainable products. We’re continuing our efforts to improve our packaging so it’s as efficient and sustainable as possible.
We’ve been using recycled materials in our products and packaging since the ‘80s. In fact, one of our very own scientists invented a sustainable technology that recycles a type of plastic that wasn’t recyclable before—helping us reduce even more waste.
To this day, we continue to help consumers reduce their footprints by collaborating with programs like Waste to Worth and organizations like The Recycling Partnership, The Closed Loop Fund, and Materials Recovery for the Future.
2020 goal: Ensure 90% of all packaging is recycled
86% of P&G packages are considered recyclable
Dawn Ultra has 3X more grease-cleaning power per drop**—doing more dishes with less, and saving up to 25,000 tons of plastic each year.†
Each sheet of Puffs Ultra Soft and Plus Lotion is 3X stronger than the leading bargain brand—reducing waste since you can use less.
2020 goal: Reduce packaging by 20% per consumer use
Reduced packaging by 13%
Tide purclean™ is certified 65% bio-based, with 100% recyclable packaging, and is produced at a plant that sends zero manufacturing waste to landfill.
In partnership with TerraCycle and SUEZ, we produced the world’s 1st recyclable shampoo bottle made with up to 25% recycled beach plastic.
Preserving our climate
Our goal is to keep our promise of “quality you can trust”—while reducing the environmental footprint of our company and our consumers.
2020 goal: Reduce greenhouse gas emission by 30%
Reduced absolute GHG emissions by 16%
2020 goal: Reduce energy usage by 20%
Reduced energy usage per unit of production by 22%
Renewable energy in our plants
2020 goal: 30% renewable energy
Achieved 10% of renewable energy
With our partners, we brought an additional 52 wind turbines and more than 125 megawatts of electricity to the grid with our wind farm in Texas. This wind farm provides 100% of the electricity needed for all our US and Canada Fabric & Home Care manufacturing sites—including Tide, Gain, Downy, Dawn, Cascade, Febreze, and Mr. Clean.
Responsible sourcing
Forests are one of our most renewable resources. By collaborating with numerous organizations, we’re making progress toward protecting these habitats.
As members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), we’re also committed to sourcing our palm and palm derivatives responsibly.
Climate Leadership Award 2017: Organizational Leader
Recognized for active leadership to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions,
and The Climate Registry
Our work doesn't stop here
This just scratches the surface of all of our efforts toward environmental sustainability. To get a full look at what we’re doing around the world, download our corporate sustainability report.
All goal numbers are representative of progress since 2010.
* Pre-rinsing dishes prior to loading the dishwasher uses up to 20 gallons of water. (Source: Energy Star energystar.gov)
** Cleaning ingredients per drop vs. the leading competitor’s nonconcentrated brand.
† Based on Dawn and equivalent P&G brands sold in the key markets globally.
