Avon, this year’s Bravo Humanitarian Award recipient, has been named one of Interbrand’s Best Global Green Brands of 2014. The global brand consultancy ranked Avon No. 42 of the 50 companies leading the way in sustainability.
Interbrand defines a sustainable approach as “creating long-term value by embracing opportunities and managing risks derived from economic, environmental and social impacts.” The Best Global Green Brands ranking evaluates both market perception and environmental performance—from governance and operations all the way down the chain to products and services.
One of Avon’s greatest distinctions is its 6 million-strong salesforce, which extends the company’s environmental impact across the globe. Avon has mobilized its salespeople through initiatives like Healthy Forests, Beautiful World—a program that raises funds and awareness in support of reforestation efforts by The Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund.
On the corporate side, Avon has met or exceeded several benchmarks in its quest for increased sustainability. The New York-based company is an industry leader in its reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Between 2005 and 2012, Avon reduced water use by 200 million gallons and achieved an overall recycling rate of 83 percent at its manufacturing and distribution centers. Interbrand also noted the company’s environmental award-winning manufacturing facility in China and its new R&D Center in Shanghai, which has achieved LEED Platinum certification.