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EPA Honors SC Johnson's Visionary 1975 Decision to Remove CFCs Prior to Government Mandate
EPA Honors SC Johnson's Visionary 1975 Decision to Remove CFCs Prior to Government Mandate
Published 09-17-07
Submitted by SC Johnson
RACINE, WI. - September 17, 2007 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected SC Johnson to appear in a film commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol, a landmark environmental treaty to reduce ozone-depleting substances. SC Johnson will be featured in the film, which honors those that made significant contributions to protect the ozone layer, because of the company's vision and commitment to protect the ozone by removing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from its products in 1975, three years ahead of the U.S. mandate.
Responding to yet unproven research that suggested CFCs might harm the Earth's ozone layer, SC Johnson made the decision in 1975 to voluntarily and unilaterally remove CFCs from its aerosol products worldwide. The decision forced SC Johnson to pull out of the aerosol business in several countries where CFCs were mandated and put aerosols on hold in other countries where a suitable substitute didn't exist.
"SC Johnson's elimination of CFCs was a wake up call for the industry. The decision was not easy and many industry executives accused us of being irresponsible and trying to wreck the chemical business," said Scott Johnson, Vice President, Global Environmental and Safety Action. "But leadership isn't about making the popular decisions; it's about making the right decisions. And the decision to remove CFCs was the right decision for the company and the planet."
The EPA's film, The Montreal Protocol: 20 Years of Global Collaboration, 1987-2007, will premiere at a gala dinner in Montreal on September 19th during the annual Meeting of the Parties.
"By embracing cooperation over confrontation, the EPA and our vital partners like SC Johnson are continuing to create a better tomorrow by protecting the Earth's atmosphere today," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "We at the EPA join the global community in celebrating the anniversary of the Montreal Protocol "“ a shining example of how human ingenuity, leadership and determination can create a healthier, brighter world."
Environmental commitment is nothing new for SC Johnson. For 121 years, the company has held steadfast to its environmental commitment and spirit of innovation. From being one of the first consumer products manufacturers to join the EPA's Climate Leaders program in 2002 to its leadership in introducing water-based aerosols in 1955, SC Johnson continues to look for innovative ways to safeguard our shared environment. In 2001, SC Johnson devised the Greenlist(TM) process, a patented raw material rating system, to transform the way the company measures, tracks and advances its products to further the company's longstanding commitment to environmentally responsible products. Through the Greenlist(TM) process, SC Johnson continues to lead the way with responsible raw material choices.
Since 2000, SC Johnson has reduced its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the company's top factories by 42 percent. By 2011, SC Johnson aims to achieve the following advances:
People interested in learning more about SC Johnson's legacy of environmental stewardship can visit the company's new environment section of its corporate Web site at www.scjohnson.com The site highlights SC Johnson's key initiatives, provides in-depth discussions of topics with worldwide environmental impact, offers videos and interactive games and identifies ways consumers can lighten their environmental footprint and strengthen their own communities. Also, available for download on the site is SC Johnson's 2007 Public Report.
SC Johnson's Public Report captures insights on sustainable development through third-party Q&As on topics from the environment to social progress. For example, Janet Ranganathan, from the World Resources Institute shares her insights on the importance of addressing climate change. The report also provides information on SC Johnson's sustainable development initiatives, including reaching more than 600,000 people in South Africa with malaria education, giving more than $160 million globally in philanthropic contributions toward efforts that improve quality of life, and being named among the Top 10 of FORTUNE magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work for in America for the third year in a row.
SC Johnson is a family-owned and managed business dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in the USA, the company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, personal care and insect control. It markets such well-known brands as EDGE(R), GLADE(R), OFF!(R), PLEDGE(R), RAID(R), SCRUBBING BUBBLES(R), SHOUT(R), WINDEX(R) and ZIPLOC(R) in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN(R), BAYGON(R), BRISE(R), ECHO(R), KABIKILLER(R), KLEAR(R), and MR. MUSCLE(R). The 121-year old company, with over $7.5 billion in sales, employs approximately 12,000 people globally and sells products in more than 110 countries.
SC Johnson
SC Johnson
SC Johnson is a family-owned and managed business dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in the USA, the company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, and insect control.
It markets well-known brands such as GLADE®, OFF!®, PLEDGE®, RAID®, SCRUBBING BUBBLES®, SHOUT®, WINDEX® and ZIPLOC® in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN®, BAYGON®, BRISE®, KABIKILLER®, KLEAR®, and MR. MUSCLE®. The 125-year-old company, with more than $8 billion in sales, employs approximately 12,000 people globally and sells products in virtually every country around the world. www.scjohnson.com
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