Traditional Medicinals is proud to be 100% Non-GMO Project Verified

Traditional Medicinals, a pioneer and leading seller of wellness teas for 40 years, today released highlights from its 2013 sustainability report, continuing its commitment to ongoing improvement and transparency around practices in key areas. From organic and ethical sourcing practices to community engagement, highlights from the report include an investment of over $1 million to the Revive! Project, and a maintained commitment to 100 percent Non-GMO Project Verified teas.

Traditional Medicinals, made with certified organic, Fair Trade, and Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients, uses over 100 different botanical raw materials that are sourced in over 30 countries. It participates in certification programs like Fair Trade and FairWild that assist communities in economic development and social empowerment, investing in change from poverty to prosperity.

“The entire planet desperately needs business models that are non-exploitive, free of discrimination, socially and environmentally responsible, and have a corporate purpose to make a positive impact on society and the environment,” said Josef Brinckmann, Vice President of Sustainability at Traditional Medicinals. “These values are core to our company, as demonstrated by our sustainability and social responsibility performance, which we are proud to share.”

Developed under the Sustainable Food Trade Association guidelines, Traditional Medicinals’ 2013 sustainability report highlights include:

Community Engagement

• Surpassed the $1 million milestone in total investment to the Revive! Project, a social business partnership in Rajasthan, India, focusing on reducing poverty and empowering women through organic agriculture. Along with Gravis, a Rajasthan-based NGO, and WomenServe, a Sonoma County-based NGO, the Revive! Project has implemented many initiatives, including community organization and development, medical support, water and food security, education for children, economic development and women’s empowerment.
• Thirty-one of the 48 recipients of Traditional Medicinals’ community contributions were local educational and/or social and environmental justice organizations.

Environmental Certifications and Awards

• As a Certified B Corp, continued to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. 
• In the category of “Environment”, received the 2013 Top Manufacturers in the North Bay award, presented by the North Bay Business Journal.

Ethical Sourcing

• Maintained the Non-GMO Project Verified percentage of its herbal tea products at 100 percent.
• Made a five-year commitment to support the United Plant Savers Adopt an Herb Program by adopting the Native American tree slippery elm. This adoption shows Traditional Medicinals’ commitment to protect native medicinal plants and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply for generations to come.
• Increased the percentage of herbs used that are both organic and fair to 34.6% (certified organic and either Fair Trade or FairWild certified and/or are sourced from selected community and social development project sites like the Revive! Project).
• Increased the organic percentage of its botanical raw materials to 97.7 percent.

Renewable Energy

• Solar panels provided over half of its total annual electricity use.
• Some additional electricity use was offset through the purchase of Green-e Energy Certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). 100% offset begins for FY2014.

Sustainable Packaging

• Tea carton packaging is made from 100 percent recycled paperboard, of which at least 35 percent is from post-consumer waste.

Traditional Medicinals is always working toward increasing ingredient sustainability by purchasing higher percentages of certified organic, Fair Trade, FairWild and Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients, as well as looking for biodegradable, compostable, recyclable and responsible packaging materials. 

Click here for Traditional Medicinals’ Sustainability Q&A.

About Traditional Medicinals
Traditional Medicinals, Inc., a Certified B Corporation and California Certified Green Business, is a leading seller of wellness tea in the U.S. and the pioneer of the wellness tea category in the U.S. and Canada. Traditional Medicinals is also the leading seller of both organic tea and Fair Trade Certified™ herbal teas in the U.S. and Canada. The company is passionate about connecting people with plants and sharing centuries-old wisdom of how to use them. Their more than 50 high quality wellness teas are formulated by herbalists using pharmacopoeial grade herbs. This is one of the defining qualities that sets Traditional Medicinals apart from many leading tea brands. Founded in 1974, Traditional Medicinals is an independent company that embraces sustainability, ingredient purity, and social and environmental activism. For additional information, visit www.traditionalmedicinals.com

Traditional Medicinals

Traditional Medicinals

For nearly forty years, we’ve been passionate about connecting people with plants. And we're equally as passionate about passing along the centuries-old wisdom of how to use them. So even though our look has changed, our aspirations remain the same: help you discover the power of plants. We differentiate ourselves by our investment in the quality systems, research, testing and pharmacopoeial quality herbs. We were and are pioneers in the wellness tea categories and will continue to lead the way. We don’t just make formulas because they sound good. Every tea and herbal product that we make must have sufficient evidence of safety, quality and efficacy in support of our claim statements and formulation rationale.

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