Last month, Gemline (PPAI 113948, Platinum) announced the unveiling of its new purpose statement: “We Promote Community.” This month, the Massachusetts-based supplier released its fourth annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report in order to provide public proof of its attempts to turn that message into action.
- Gemline ranked as the No. 5 supplier in the inaugural PPAI 100 rankings.
“At Gemline, we believe in the power of responsible and progressive business practices to create positive change,” says Frank Carpenito, president and CEO of Gemline. “Our commitment to corporate social responsibility runs deep, and we are thrilled to see the tangible results of our efforts reflected in our fourth annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
“As we continue to lead amongst our peer group in this area, we remain dedicated to driving meaningful progress towards a more sustainable future for all.”
- To view the report in its entirety, click here.
The report consists of five key areas of focus and the progress the company has made in them. They consist of:
- Charitable Donations
Gemline categorizes donations to charity as a focus on people. In total, the supplier donated over $973,000 in cash and in-kind donations to charitable causes. In November, Gemline announced that it had donated over $150,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of America, which provides a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow.
“As a company, we believe in the importance of investing in the next generation and providing them with opportunities to thrive,” says Jonathan Isaacson, executive chair of Gemline.
- Carbon Footprint Offsetting
By partnering with One Tree Planted, Gemline proactively participated in offsetting Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Through Gemline’s support, 1,026 acres at Noles Farm in North Carolina and 704 acres at Pungo River in South Carolina have been preserved.
- PVC-Free Initiatives
Ppolyvinyl chloride products are known primarily for being nearly impossible to recycle, as well as requiring a hazardous production process.
Gemline’s goal is to removal of 100% PVC in its product offerings by 2025. With that date quickly approaching, the supplier made enormous strides in 2023, with 94% of its products considered PVC-free as of the year’s end.
- Aware Textile Traceability Technology Integration
Last summer, Gemline announced that it was partnering with Aware, a blockchain technology provider that offers global textile traceability. By doing so, it became the first U.S.-based company to partner with Aware on this type of technology.
In early 2024, Gemline launched a line of recycled cotton products containing Aware technology, most of which are priced between $2.50 and $10.
- Eco-Conscious Product Solutions
As the supplier focuses on increasing its use of recycled materials, recyclable materials, renewable materials and alternatives to single-use plastics that go into its products, strides were made in 2023 by Gemline in the effort to reduce its ecological footprint.
Of all products introduced by the supplier last year, 48% are considered eco-conscious.
