Avon - The Company for Women - Corporate Responsibility

Leveraging its unique ability to mobilize people – especially women – around the globe, in March 2010 Avon launched Hello Green Tomorrow, empowering a global women’s environmental movement to nurture nature in more than 65 countries. The initiative kicked off with a $1 million contribution to The Nature Conservancy to replant 1 million trees in the Atlantic Rainforest in South America and global fundraising to further restore this vital ecosystem at just $1.00 per tree, helping ensure a better future for the next generation. In just over three months, another $1 million was raised, and the total $2 million will restore some 5,000 acres. Fundraising continues and Hello Green Tomorrow efforts will be renewed each year.

The veritable “green army” of more than 6.2 million Avon Sale Representatives, along with customers and associates, are creating a unique environmental movement to raise funds and drive “green” education worldwide, leveraging Avon’s strength to reach and engage people to take action in support of important causes.

Hello Green Tomorrow marked the company’s first external environmental engagement, and it underscores Avon’s commitment to environmental stewardship. As a reflection of this commitment, in 2009 Avon ranked #25 on Newsweek magazine’s first “green” list of the 500 largest US-based corporations.

In line with this commitment to sustainability, in March 2010 the company announced the Avon Paper Promise, a comprehensive policy outlining efforts and goals for promoting sustainable forest use, protecting forests, and reducing demands on forests.

For 2010, Avon Hello Green Tomorrow is focused on the restoration of the South American Atlantic Rainforest, which is one of the tropical forests that serve as the “lungs of the earth” and, with only 7% remaining, one of the most threatened ecosystems. All trees planted in the Atlantic Rainforest through Hello Green Tomorrow support the United Nations Environment Programme Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign, and the planting and restoration will be managed by the US-based Nature Conservancy with local partners in Brazil.

Click here to learn more, join the movement or plant a tree.

In July 2008 Avon Chairman and CEO Andrea Jung launched the Hello Green Tomorrow Chairman’s Task Force and, as an important outgrowth, appointed “Green Ambassadors” in Avon facilities worldwide.

The initial goal of the Task Force was to find new and creative ways to address the imperative of environmental stewardship and to further engage our mid-level associates, empowering them to develop unique and creative ideas to address environmental issues. The Task Force was a cross-functional and cross-regional group of Manager-and Director-level associates from Avon offices around the world, whose varied perspectives, experience and functional expertise inspired thinking about new, “out-of-the-box” ways to create an even greener, more sustainable tomorrow at Avon.

The first meeting of the Task Force took place on July 30-31, 2008 in New York City to establish goals, identify major areas of environmental impact and develop initial ideas to broaden Avon’s efforts to become more environmentally responsible. The Task Force identified priorities and developed new ideas for Avon’s environmental initiatives around four areas: the development of a green culture, the journey to a paperless sales model, product packaging and development, and logistics and transportation.

Individual subcommittees met by conference call and in person to develop ideas and solutions in their areas of assignment. Recommendations and findings were reported to top management and relevant areas of Avon. Through the Chairman’s Task Force, new projects were generated and existing projects were expedited. Some of these include the installation of advanced videoconferencing in key Avon facilities to support the reduction of travel; a comprehensive assessment of packaging design and materials, working towards more “environmental” options; and a review of Avon’s automotive fleet and optimization of delivery routes for a reduction in the company’s carbon footprint.

An impactful and robust internal result of Hello Green Tomorrow was the designation of Avon Green Ambassadors in Avon facilities worldwide and the launch of facilities-based “green” programs and process changes. The role of Green Ambassador was a much sought-after position, and Avon facilities in 65 countries enthusiastically signed on with an ultimate roster of 100 Green Ambassadors. Associates, led by their Green Ambassadors, developed and implemented “green programs” in Avon offices, distribution centers and manufacturing facilities that led to meaningful and permanent behavior changes on an individual and institutional level. Some examples include the installation of “bottle crushing” recycling systems in the office, the distribution of reusable mugs and the removal of paper cups, the installation of duplex (two-sided) copiers, placement of copier paper in locked cupboards and an increase in healthier food options in the company cafeterias. In all participating facilities, “green” education was driven through a communications program, guest lecturers and special events, and an active Avon Hello Green Tomorrow intranet site hosts over 100 blogs, videos on “green” themes and activities, and updates from the ongoing programs that allow Associates to share best practices and take pride in their achievements.

A global competitive program called the Avon Green Innovation Challenge was launched in April 2010, calling for associates in any facility and at any level to submit ideas on how Avon can be a more green company in any aspect of the business process. A key criteria was that the individual or team must be in the position to implement or facilitate execution of the idea, underscoring personal accountability. More than 200 ideas were submitted from nearly 30 countries, and a multi-phase process of popular voting and review is underway. Finalists will present their ideas to the Avon Executive Council in fall 2010, whether in person or via videoconference, and implementation will follow.