1999 CERES report

 

1999 CERES Environmental Report

Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies



Earth

In 1992, Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc. signed the CERES Principles, which indicated our belief that we have a responsibility for the environment. The following ten principles indicate that we will operate all aspects of our business as responsible stewards of the environment by operating in a manner that protects the earth:

 

PROTECTION OF THE BIOSPHERE

We will reduce and make continual progress toward eliminating the release of any substance that may cause environmental damage to the air, water or the earth or its inhabitants. We will safeguard all habitats affected by our operations and will protect open spaces and wilderness, while preserving biodiversity.

 

SUSTAINABLE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES

We will make sustainable use of renewable natural resources such as water, soils and forests. We will conserve nonrenewable resources through efficient use and careful planning.

 

REDUCTION AND DISPOSAL OF WASTES

We will reduce and where possible eliminate waste through source reduction and recycling. All waste will be handled and disposed of through safe and responsible methods.

 

ENERGY CONSERVATION

We will conserve energy and improve energy efficiency of our internal operations and of the goods and services we sell. We will make every effort to use environmentally safe and sustainable energy sources.

 

RISK REDUCTION

We will strive to minimize the environmental, health and safety risks to our employees and the communities in which we operate through safe technologies, facilities and operating procedures and by being prepared for emergencies.

 

SAFE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

We will reduce and where possible eliminate the use, manufacture or sale of products and services that cause environmental damage or health or safety hazards. We will inform our customers of the environmental impacts of our products or services and try to correct unsafe use.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION

We will promptly and responsibly correct conditions we have caused that endanger health, safety or the environment. To the extent feasible, we will redress injuries we have caused to persons or damage we have caused to the environment and will restore the environment.

 

INFORMING THE PUBLIC

We will inform in a timely manner everyone who may be affected by conditions caused by our company that might endanger health, safety, or the environment. We will regularly seek advice and counsel through dialogue with persons in communities near our facilities. We will not take any action against employees for reporting dangerous incidents or conditions to management or to appropriate authorities.

 

MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT

We will implement these Principles and sustain a process that ensures that the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer are fully informed about pertinent environmental issues and are fully responsible for environmental policy. In selecting our Board of Directors, we will consider demonstrated environmental commitment as a factor.

 

AUDITS AND REPORTS

We will conduct an annual self-evaluation of our progress in implementing these Principles. We will support the timely creation of generally accepted environmental audit procedures. We will annually complete the CERES Report, which will be made available to the public.