Top 40 supplier Gemline (asi/56070) is making strides when it comes to sustainability and social responsibility.

The Lawrence, MA-based promotional products company just released its third annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) report, pulling the information into a new framework, dubbed “betterway.” The betterway initiative, according to Gemline, establishes the company’s path forward as a purpose-driven leader, as well as three pillars: people, planet and product.

“We strongly believe Gemline has a long-term ongoing responsibility to our community and the environment,” said Frank Carpenito, president and CEO. “We are proud of what we have accomplished, but also know there is much more to do. We are committed to growing our business in a better way – one that helps to build and support communities, creates products using sustainable materials and protects the planet for generations to come.”

Highlights from the 2022 CSR report include more than $740,000 in cash and in-kind donations to charitable causes, such as Ukraine humanitarian relief efforts as well as health and wellness programs, housing and human welfare programs and leadership activities in the company’s local community. Gemline supports organizations that include the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, One Family Inc., Northern Essex Community College and the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center. The supplier also offers a variety of brands that have their own giveback programs, including CORKCICLE, MiiR, Modern Sprout, Moleskine, Out of the Woods, Slowtide and W&P.

This year, Gemline says it plans to expand its giving efforts by partnering with two national nonprofits – Boys and Girls Clubs of America and One Tree Planted – in addition to its continued support of local charities.

On the environmental stewardship side, highlights include the installation of a 1,736-panel solar power generation system at company headquarters. The solar panels generate 45% of the power required to operate Gemline’s headquarters. For the fourth consecutive year, the firm has diverted 100% of its waste from landfills, using an alternate disposal source that converts waste into energy. Gemline reduced its Scope 1 (controlled by Gemline) and Scope 2 (purchased by Gemline) greenhouse gas emissions by 12% last year, and made strides in reducing packaging waste in 2022 by reusing inbound overseas packaging products and removing shrink-wrap film from all Moleskine products. In 2022, Gemline was awarded a bronze medal from EcoVadis in recognition of its positive environmental and social change across operations.

This year, the supplier is aiming to improve sustainability performance to achieve silver status with EcoVadis. Gemline also plans to identify opportunities to reduce the amount of waste that’s sent to energy recovery by 33%, and aims to decrease Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions by 15% in 2023.

On the product side, Gemline has made progress on reducing the amount of PVC in its product line, noting that the effort is worthwhile because plastic production requires an enormous amount of energy and resources and is difficult to recycle. By the end of 2022, 78% of its product line was PVC-free; the supplier is aiming to make 90% of its line PVC-free by the end of 2023 and 100% PVC-free by 2025.

Gemline also noted its progress in growing its portfolio of eco-friendly products. In 2022, 33% of new products introduced met at least one of the following criteria: made with recycled material; made with materials derived from renewable resources or intended to help reduce single-use plastics.

Gemline’s full 2022 annual corporate social responsibility report is available here.

Based on 2021 North American promo product revenue of $127.5 million, Gemline ranked 10^th on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest suppliers in the industry.

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