Corporate Social Responsibility

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6.30.2008 - 12:00pm ET

CSR News from:	S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
News Categories:	Research, Reports & Publications
	CSR - General

SC Johnson's Products and Production – You Can Feel Good about It

Company's 2008 Public Report shares accomplishments; new to the report are consumer voices in the environmental dialogue

Since 2001, SC Johnson has removed 61,000,000 pounds of VOCs from the environmental footprint of its products.

(CSRwire) RACINE, WI., - June 30, 2008 - "When you reach for any SC Johnson product, you can feel good about it." These words, spoken by SC Johnson Chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson in the company's latest TV advertisements, are supported by the data reported in the family company’s 2008 Public Report, released today.

SC Johnson, now in its 17th year of publicly reporting progress on its sustainable development objectives, highlights in its new report accomplishments including sourcing nearly 40 percent of its global electricity from renewable energy, giving nearly $170 million in philanthropic contributions over the past 10 years, and having removed more than 61,000,000 pounds of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) from the environmental footprint of the company's products since 2001.

These achievements stem from the company's long-standing commitment to responsible leadership, says Johnson in the report's opening letter. "I believe that companies must take the lead," said Fisk Johnson. "We can’t leave it to watchdog groups or federal regulators...and we should not want to – companies should understand the science and have the sincerity to do what is right. We all must be responsible."

Along with sharing SC Johnson's progress over the past year, new to the report is environmental dialogue with consumers from around the world. The company commissioned research firm GlobeScan to identify consumers and conduct interviews that would provide an unvarnished reporting of participants' thoughts about the environment and its impact on their lives. The report includes Q&As with consumers from China, Sweden, the United States, the United Kingdom, India and Argentina.

Other highlights in the report:

SC Johnson launched nearly 175 new products in 2007, and was recognized for its winning products and brands.
The company continued to make good strides using its patented Greenlist(TM) process, with our use of "Better" and "Best" rated materials having tripled since 2001.
Though only two years into its latest environmental strategy, SC Johnson already has nearly achieved its five-year goal to source 40 percent of its global electricity from renewable energy.
SC Johnson continued, as always, to target reducing, reusing and recycling, this year recycling a record 95 percent of the solid waste at Waxdale, the company's largest factory.
SC Johnson also continued to educate about malaria, dengue and other insect-borne diseases in affected areas, including launching new efforts in Ghana and Mozambique.
The company's base of the pyramid efforts in Kenya and Nigeria enjoyed successes, and SC Johnson launched a deep distribution project in Ghana as well.
And, SC Johnson continued to provide valued support to the communities where we operate, with our 10-year cumulative giving surpassing $168,000,000 in 2007.

SC Johnson credits its latest accomplishments to its long-term philosophy of doing what's right and providing products about which consumers can feel good. Explained Johnson, "Because at the same time we're making our products, we're doing what's right for all the right reasons – for our children and their children. I am incredibly proud of the people of SC Johnson, and the positive impact they are having for generations to come."

This year SC Johnson once again is making a contribution through Conservation International to help offset the carbon emissions associated with printing and distributing its report. The contribution will support the restoration of degraded lands in southwest China, producing timber resources and fuelwood for local communities in addition to fostering employment and providing a habitat for the red panda and the Bengal tiger.

Additionally, SC Johnson limits printed editions of its Public Report and encourages distribution via the Internet at www.scjohnson.com. The report uses paper that has a post-consumer recycled percentage of 15 percent and was manufactured with renewable wind power. The savings of using wind power prevents more than 4,500 pounds of air emissions like carbon dioxide from being generated and displaces the use of two barrels of crude oil. Also, the report is printed with soy ink, which is naturally low in VOCs.

SC Johnson’s motorcycle distribution project in Nigeria has a two-fold goal – to increase sales with smaller retailers who serve base of the pyramid consumers, while at the same time developing skills and growing incomes for local entrepreneurs. Learn more: www.scjohnson.com

This year SC Johnson agreed to source 46 percent of the electricity for its Bay City, Michigan factory from wind energy. The Bay City plant produces Ziploc® brand bags and Saran® wrap. Learn more: www.scjohnson.com

Using methane from a local public landfill, SC Johnson produces enough power to run its largest global factory, located in Racine, Wisconsin, where products like Windex® glass cleaner are made. Learn more: www.scjohnson.com

SC Johnson has educated millions of people about preventing insect-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue. This year the company launched new initiatives in Ghana and Mozambique. Learn more: www.scjohnson.com

For more information please contact:

Jenny Taylor
SC Johnson
262-260-4402
262-260-2440

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