As a global leader in hand hygiene and healthy skin, as well as the maker of PURELL™, GOJO was recognized at BizNGO’s Annual Conference on December 8 as a Disclosure Leader for 2024’s Chemical Footprint Project.
Nine years ago, at the 10th Annual BizNGO Chemical Footprint Conference, GOJO announced its commitment to reduce its chemical footprint by 50% by the end of 2020. This made GOJO the first company to announce a specific target for this reduction.
What is GOJO?
GOJO is a purpose-driven,, third-generation family enterprise whose products—including Purell® soap, hand sanitizer, surface sprays, and wipes—are used worldwide to keep people healthy and ensure their well-being. It is a WBENC-certified women-owned business.
For over 75 years, GOJO has used science-based innovations to set standards in safety, efficacy, and sustainability, both for consumers and in public spaces such as hospitals, schools, and restaurants. They are described as having created “the original hand sanitizer” and continue to deliver select ingredients to consumers that kill germs and consider skin health while providing a positive experience.
GOJO is headquartered in Akron, Ohio, and has manufacturing facilities located in Northeast Ohio.
A Deeply Committed Team
“In 2015, GOJO signed on as one of the first participants in the pilot for the Chemical Footprint Project, an initiative focused on the use of safe chemicals,” said Antonio Quiñones-Rivera, Ph.D., Product Safety and Sustainability Senior Manager at GOJO.
Quiñones-Rivera went on to add: “I am proud to report that with a deeply committed team at GOJO, we exceeded that goal, reducing our chemical footprint by 64% per product use. We did it by leading with a vision of improved safety and sustainability for our products, by challenging our formulation teams to develop products with improved sustainability profiles that deliver the performance expected by our customers, and by learning from and partnering with our suppliers.”
Recognized as a Disclosure Leader
Angela Pinilla, PhD and Program Director of the Chemical Footprint Project, shared that Gojo was recognized as one of 13 Disclosure Leaders in 2024’s Chemical Footprint Project.
“Disclosure leaders have agreed to share their CFP Survey scores and responses publicly,” Pinilla said. “This transparency sets a new industry standard, demonstrating GOJO’s commitment to safer chemicals. By openly sharing its journey, GOJO is fostering accountability and progress in chemical management. Their willingness to engage stakeholders shows true leadership. We applaud their efforts and hope they inspire others toward greater transparency.”
A Journey 75 Years in the Making
GOJO’s 2015 declaration was the next step in a journey that began nearly 75 years prior.
When Goldie and Jerry Lipman founded GOJO in 1946, they built the company with the premise of creating safer ways for workers to clean and sanitize their hands. Much of what Goldie and Jerry did was sustainable—from using old car window cranks for the first portion-controlled dispensers to utilizing recycled pickle jars for their product.
Since its founding, GOJO launched its first-to-market green hand cleaner in 2006. In 2010, the company introduced its Sustainability Goals, and in 2015, it announced its next set of goals, many of which were accomplished before its end goal of 2020.
Most recently, in 2023, GOJO introduced its set of Sustainable Value Goals, which have been designed to transform its business to deliver its GOJO purpose of “Saving Lives and Making Life Better through Well-Being Solutions.”
In addition to its wellness solutions, GOJO considers its environmental impact and continuously works to limit ingredients of concern. It is the world’s first green-certified hand sanitizer and holds the largest global portfolio of third-party Ecolabel-certified hygiene products.
