It’s Time to Get Positive
“Wood Positive”
EARTH DAY -22nd April, 2012
The Body Shop is proud to launch Wood Positive, a brand new initiative that aims to plant and protect more trees than it uses in its supply chain, thereby increasing the world’s natural resources rather than depleting them.
Launching on Earth Day, April 22nd, the Wood Positive initiative is an ongoing commitment that will be targeting biodiversity hotspots all over the world. Together with partner The World Land Trust, Wood Positive has already positively contributed to the world’s resources by protecting and planting over 55,000 trees in the Ecuadorian Andes and the highly endangered Atlantic Rainforest.
Native tree species were selected specifically for their positive impact on local biodiversity, in a bid to help restore fragile habitats and regenerate land back to its true form, protecting the environment for the long-term. As part of the initiative, habitats are also protected from logging to help ensure the land is protected for generations to come.
The Body Shop has always strived to minimise packaging as much as possible, and currently uses approximately 6,000 tons of paper and pulp in its packaging every year. All sources of paper and pulp are recycled or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) derived wherever possible, ensuring that the process is low impact and earth friendly. As part of the Wood Positive initiative, The Body Shop is continuing to commit to only using FSC derived resources for packaging, and reducing packaging altogether where possible.
From [DAT E] onwards, consumers will be able to identify Wood Positive products by the logo which will be appearing on products at The Body Shop which use paper-based packaging throughout the year.
John Burton, Chief Executive, The World Land Trust says: “While other businesses may claim to be FSC or to minimise their packaging, very few commit to regular, quality tree planting and protection in excess of their needs. With Wood Positive, The Body Shop is going beyond the bare minimum to make a real positive difference to the environment”
Paul McGreevy, Director of Values & R&D says: “At The Body Shop, Protect the Planet is one of our core values. We always strive to be as earth friendly as possible but we know there is always more we can do. For us, reducing our negative impact isn’t good enough; we want to improve our positive impact. Wood Positive is just one way we can achieve this.”
Q&A with The Body Shop International Head of Sustainability, Simon Henzell-Thomas
Q: Which biodiversity hotspots will you be targeting?
We are targeting the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil and the Tropical Andes in Ecuador which are both highly endangered and fragile habitats.
Q: If ‘Protect the Planet’ has always been a key value of The Body Shop, why has it taken this long to put this initiative into place?
We’ve been working to protect the rainforest for decades. One of our first campaigns was back in the nineties called ‘Stop the Burning’ where we raised millions of customers’ signatures to petition the Brazilian government to stop illegal burning of the Amazon. 100% of our accessories are made with FSC certified wood. All our palm oil is for RSPO certified sustainable sources and we use FSC and/or recycled material in our packaging whenever we can. Wood Positive is just about us doing more and going one step further.
Q: How many products will be carrying the Wood Positive logo?
All of our products that come in paper/card packaging will have the logo.
Q: How many more trees will you be planting in 2012 and beyond?
In 2012 we will be planting and protecting around 100,000 trees. The ratio is about 50/50, so we will plant around 50,000 trees in 2012 and then protect a further 50,000. Beyond that we will assess our paper and card use from the previous year and then plant accordingly with advice from the Word Land Trust.
Q: Why did you decide to partner with The Wood Land Trust? What will they bring to this initiative?
The World Land Trust are a credible, scientific and intelligent organisation with a good network of local partners around the world. They understand the science but they are also practical about its implementation. They are very experienced in purchasing land in fragile areas and know what a good tree-planting scheme looks like. They also understand that good environmental practice can only happen when you involve local communities in the protection of those habitats. They challenge us about the rigour of what we are doing which we welcome that.
Q: With regards to the land protection, how long will the trees be protected for?
The World Land Trust works with its conservation project partners throughout the world to ensure the permanent protection of all the land purchase it funds. As land is purchased it is incorporated into an existing nature reserve and protected by our partners to ensure the preservation of these important habitats and their biodiversity forever.
Q: As this initiative focuses on wood and paper-based packaging, when will other forms of packaging be looked into?
We are constantly looking at minimising our packaging so this isn’t new. A very small percentage of our products actually come in secondary packaging. We will constantly commit to reducing where we can. The concept of ‘Wood Positive’ will not always work with other commodities – for example with plastic our best way of having a positive impact is just to reduce our use.
Q: How often will you be re-planting trees throughout the year?
It depends on the location and the climate and also the growing seasons in various countries. In Brazil and Ecuador, we have been planting since October 2011 in order to ensure the trees have a good chance of survival.
Q: Tree species being replanted are found in endangered environments in South America. Does this mean that this is where you source your trees for packaging?
No – it doesn’t. We are starting our programme here because some of the most endangered habitats are here and they need immediate attention. There are other endangered habitats such as in Asia and Africa and it may be that as the programme grows we look to expand to those areas. The key driver was not where we source our packaging from but where the most attention is needed in terms of endangered habitats.
About The Body Shop®
The Body Shop International plc is the original, naturally-inspired and ethical beauty brand, with over 2,500 stores in over 65 markets worldwide. The Body Shop seeks out wonderful natural ingredients from all four corners of the globe to deliver products bursting with effectiveness, to help enhance your natural beauty. By striving to use the planet’s resources wisely, The Body Shop searches for outstanding natural materials and ingredients from across the globe to include in its range of products. The Body Shop is proud to have been the first beauty brand to have brought the benefits of fair trade to the beauty industry through its own unique Community Fair Trade programme, to have Introduced 100% recycled packaging, and to raise funds and awareness on key issues of the day, including the sex trafficking of the most vulnerable in our society, children and young people.
The Body Shop has received the recognition of organisations including the British RSPCA, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, having been proudly awarded the prestigious RSPCA ‘Lifetime Achievement Award 2009’, “in recognition of the significant contribution the company has made in helping to achieve a ban on animal testing and in particular the work carried out by its late founder Dame Anita Roddick.” In addition The Body Shop is pleased its products continue to win illustrious awards and accolades internationally. The brand continues to be cited as an ‘ethical’ brand.
Community Fair Trade
A purchase from our Community Fair Trade programme can put a smile on faces as far away as Ghana, Nicaragua, Italy and India - improving the financial security, comfort and health resources available to farmers, producers and their families in more than 20 countries.
In 1987 we launched our pioneering Community Fair Trade programme which now benefits over 300,000 people in marginalised communities, as we seek to provide a fair income, for work in fair conditions, for all those involved in this unique programme. Our commitment to Community Fair Trade continues to grow, with 80% of our products including the benefits of Community Fair Trade.
The Body Shop At Home™ provides personalised shopping services from the comfort of your home. Having a The Body Shop At Home™ party is the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends while discovering products which feature a whole host of natural ingredients, to help you look and feel fabulous.
The Body Shop At Home™ Consultants will come to you, to demonstrate the latest product collections, while the party Host receives free gifts and discount shopping.
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