For many major retail chains, eliminating the use of toxic chemicals such as
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the
products and packaging they sell remains a high priority, despite the challenges
posed by COVID-19, according to a new report.
The largest report of its kind, the fifth annual Who’s Minding the Store?
retailer report card finds that some of the
largest retailers in the United States and Canada continue to make
substantial progress toward reducing their chemical
footprint.
Six key insights showcase the biggest takeaways from this year’s analysis, which
graded 50 major retailers on their commitment to protecting public health and
the environment from toxic chemicals through corporate chemical policies.
1. Retailers are making significant progress over time
Since the previous report card in
2019,
nearly two-thirds of retailers (64 percent) reported notable
progress in
reducing toxic chemicals or plastics, or by improving their chemical
policies. And this year’s report card had the lowest-ever percentage of
retailers with failing grades, with four companies —
McDonald’s,
TJX, Ulta
Beauty, and Yum!
Brands — erasing their
previous F with an improved grade: McDonald’s and Taco Bell — a Yum! Brands
company — pledged to ban PFAS in food packaging globally by 2025, boosting their
previously failing grades.
2. Getting toxic chemicals out of the beauty aisle
OK, Now What?: Navigating Corporate Sustainability After the US Presidential Election
Join us for a free webinar on Monday, December 9, at 1pm ET as Andrew Winston and leaders from the American Sustainable Business Council, Democracy Forward, ECOS and Guardian US share insights into how the shifting political and cultural environment may redefine the responsibilities and opportunities for companies committed to sustainability.
The beauty and personal care sector reported among the greatest gains of any
retail sector. Ulta
Beauty was the most
improved retailer in the last year, earning a C- grade to top its F score in
2019. And Sephora has shown
the greatest improvement over time — receiving an A grade, up from a D when
first evaluated in 2017.
Retailers in the beauty and personal care sector have also begun to address
environmental justice concerns about racial disparities in exposure to toxic
chemicals from products. For the first-time, two retailers — Rite
Aid and
Target — have committed to
screening for chemicals of high concern in beauty products marketed to women of
color.
Taylor Morton, director of environmental health and education at WE ACT for
Environmental Justice, welcomed the news and stated:
“Research shows that
women of color have higher levels of toxic chemicals related to beauty products
in their bodies; and this is linked to higher incidences of cancer, poor infant
and maternal health outcomes, learning disabilities, obesity, asthma and other
serious health concerns.”
3. Dollar stores are “most improved” retail sector overall
In other good news for environmental justice, the discount stores posted greater
gains than any other retail sector. Dollar
Tree improved from a D+
to a C+. Dollar
General earned a C-
grade, making progress from its D grade in 2019.
“We are pleased to see dollar stores starting to take seriously the need to
phase out harmful chemicals from their products,” said José T. Bravo,
national coordinator for the Campaign for Healthier
Solutions.
“Still, they have a long way to go. People of color and low-income communities
are already over-exposed to toxic chemicals.”
4. Retailers are tackling toxic chemicals as a class
Retailers are increasingly phasing out entire classes of toxic chemicals — such
as bisphenols, organohalogen flame retardants, PFAS and ortho-phthalates. This
important trend allows retailers to stay ahead of growing customer concerns and
regulatory pressures. For example, 12 retailers have pledged to reduce or
eliminate the entire class of PFAS — the “forever chemicals” in food packaging —
at more than 65,000 stores. New actions have also been taken to restrict PFAS as
a class in textiles by retailers such as
Lowe’s.
Preventing plastic pollution is also a growing priority. Eight retailers are
ending use of the most toxic plastics including polyvinyl chloride (PVC or
vinyl) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, which use or release highly
hazardous chemicals in production and disposal. Notably,
Apple has pledged to eliminate
all use of plastics in packaging by 2025.
5. Six retail leaders with the highest grades
Several retailers demonstrated “best in class” leadership. For the first time,
Sephora and Whole Foods
Market were
awarded A’s and join consistent high-performers Apple and Target, who each
earned an A+; and IKEA and
Walmart, both with A-
grades.
6. The “Toxic Hall of Shame”
While the percentage of retailers with failing grades is at an all-time low, far
too many retailers have failed to take even the most basic actions needed to
protect the health of their customers. A total of 12 companies— including
Burger
King,
Starbucks, and Sally
Beauty — earned failing
grades this year, landing themselves in the 2021 Retailer Report Card Toxic
Hall of Shame.
These dozen retailers were highlighted in a recent CNN
story
that ran in hundreds of other media outlets.
Why retailers must “Mind the Store”
There is no excuse for retailers to earn a failing grade. These trends make a
strong business case for greater action.
-
Growing scientific consensus. Every month, new research further reveals
the dangers of hazardous chemicals used in everyday products — from
cosmetics and cleaning products to plastic packaging and outdoor
apparel.
-
Consumer and investor demand is high. These stakeholders are demanding
safer, more sustainable products that do not cause disproportionate harm to
our most vulnerable populations.
Investors
have been sounding the alarm that businesses that are not managing chemical
risks face increasing reputational, regulatory and financial risks.
-
More regulation on toxics. Toxic chemical and cleanup regulations are
becoming more common. States from Washington to California to
Maine are restricting chemicals in products and packaging; and the
federal government is beginning to act, particularly on PFAS. Retailers can
mitigate these risks by getting ahead of the regulatory curve and adopting
safer chemicals policies.
-
Safer alternatives are increasingly available, effective and affordable.
And emerging tools such as ChemFORWARD,
GreenScreen and
Scivera can assist retailers and suppliers in
identifying and transitioning to safer alternatives.
This fifth annual retailer report card has shined a light on both market leaders
and on the
laggards in
chemical safety. Grading retailers against one another motivates action to
improve chemical safety and mobilizing public concern reminds companies that
customers matter the most.
It’s time for all retailers to “mind the store” by requiring safer chemicals and
more sustainable products and packaging to better safeguard the health of our
families, communities, workers, and the environment.
Get the latest insights, trends, and innovations to help position yourself at the forefront of sustainable business leadership—delivered straight to your inbox.
Mike Schade is the Mind the Store Campaign Director at Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families.
Executive Director
Mike Belliveau is the Executive Director of the Environmental Health Strategy Center and is a Senior Advisor to Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families.
Published Apr 28, 2021 8am EDT / 5am PDT / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST