Ritual is built to support people’s health, so it’s only natural that we would make a bold commitment to address the largest health issue of our time: climate change. Ritual set the ambitious goal to have Net Zero Emissions by 2030; here’s our action plan.
Tackling Carbon Across Our Entire Supply Chain
First we recently completed a full analysis of emissions associated with our whole supply chain (Scope 1-3), setting a baseline for us to calculate and understand how we can get to net zero emissions. Currently we are using this carbon accounting to set Science Based Targets and establish a decarbonization plan that will effectively help us address hot spots in our supply chain.
What does that look like exactly? Various levers can be pulled to meet our science-based targets, including partnering with contract manufacturers to implement more renewable energy at their facilities, using Life Cycle Assessments through partners like Bluebird Climate to help drive lower carbon packaging options, work with ingredient suppliers who offset emissions or chose more sustainable forms. In 2023, we moved from a spend-based carbon accounting method to a more accurate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-based approach.
Ritual hopes to expand our LCAs beyond packaging, to conduct product level assessments to see where there are carbon hotspots associated with our product development and innovation pipeline.
Addressing Environmental Injustice
In addition to tackling the impacts our business has on the environment, we are acutely aware of the intersection of our work, daily decisions, and social justice issues. The field of environmental justice is well established, showing that the most burdened communities from pollution are low income and often communities of color. Ritual incorporates this important lens to our daily decisions. The majority of virgin plastic manufacturing facilities, including those located in the United States, are within close proximity to communities of color. By choosing 100% post-consumer recycled plastic for our multivitamin bottles, we are hoping to shift our dollars away from dirty industries like virgin plastic.
We respond to science when it comes to the nutrients, forms and efficacy of our formulas, so in kind we respond to alarming science that calls us to take action to reduce emissions from our supply chain.
We will update you on this progress as part of our annual Impact Report.
