The Earthwards® approach defines how Johnson & Johnson addresses the environmental and social impacts of their products, and engages development teams in designing innovative and more sustainable solutions across a product’s lifecycle, from formulation and manufacturing, to product use and end-of-life. New products must achieve regulatory compliance and deliver on Johnson & Johnson’s high standards and be reviewed for lifecycle impacts. The lifecycle impacts of products are reviewed at the category level and opportunities to drive improvements are considered at the design, procurement, manufacturing and marketing stages of a product’s development.
Earthwards® also goes through an annual third-party assurance audit conducted by UL Environment. UL Environment provides ongoing assurance reviews of the Earthwards® approach and verifies that program guidelines and minimum requirements are being properly followed.
Earthwards® is an integral part of Johnson & Johnson’s Healthy Future 2015 goal to improve the sustainability of their products and packaging. They have surpassed the 2015 goal to make sustainability improvements to 60 of their products, and through 2014 have recognized 73 products, valued at more than $8 billion, into their Earthwards® portfolio. While they reached the goal ahead of schedule, Johnson & Johnson will continue to innovate to address their footprint and meet their customers’ evolving needs.