GOJO Receives Summit of Sustainability Award

AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- GOJO Industries, a leader in hand hygiene and skin health and inventors of PURELL® Hand Sanitizer, received the Summit of Sustainability Large Business Award today at an awards program, held at the University of Akron's Quaker Station.  GOJO was honored for its commitment to social, environmental and economic sustainability efforts. 

In accepting the award, GOJO Chairman and CEO, Joe Kanfer said, "GOJO has a legacy of sustainability that began with my aunt and uncle, Goldie and Jerry Lippman.  They began practicing the principles of social sustainability long before the two of them – or anyone else – had ever heard of the term.  Together, they created social value by enhancing quality of lives with hand cleaners that were safer, gentler and more pleasing than the harsh carcinogenic chemicals commonly used.   It is this same 'leading and learning approach' towards continuous improvement that creates sustainable value at GOJO today."

GOJO was selected for the award because of its strong corporate commitment to fully integrating sustainability principles into its core business strategies and showing measurable results.  A few social, environmental and economic sustainability GOJO accomplishments include:

• Working with non-profit organizations – including United Disability Services in Akron – to help provide employment opportunities for disabled persons
• The donation of unused hand hygiene products for disaster relief  to Cincinnati-based Matthew 25 Ministries that repackages and sends the products to economically disadvantaged regions of the world where access to basic hygiene is restricted
• Significant milestones reached and exceeded in long-term environmental goals for reducing water usage, solid waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions
• The launch of PURELL^® Advanced Green Certified Instant Hand Sanitizer in the U.S. and the growth of green certified hand hygiene and skin care products globally

"We believe that through Sustainable Ways of Working (SWOW^SM) we are able to integrate sustainability thinking into our daily work," said Nicole Koharik, GOJO Global Sustainability Marketing Director. "Sustainability is an ongoing journey at GOJO and we are committed to leading the world towards a healthier future."

The founding members of the Summit of Sustainability are: City of Akron, County of Summit, Keep Akron Beautiful, the Greater Akron Chamber and the ReWorks.  Additionally the expert panel of judges for the award competition were: Dr. Nicholas Zingale, faculty member, Cleveland State University, Dr. Stacy Willet, faculty member, The University of Akron, Sam Rubens, administrator, Akron Regional Air Quality Management District, Robert Marshall, AIA, principal, Robert Marshall Architecture and Mike Long, PE, network leader, Ohio By-Product Synergy Network.

To learn more view the GOJO award submission at http://www.summitofsustainability.org/ or view the GOJO 2012 Sustainability Report.

About GOJO
GOJO Industries, Inc. (www.gojo.com) is the inventor of PURELL® Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer and the leading global producer and marketer of skin health and hygiene solutions for away-from-home settings.  The broad GOJO product portfolio includes hand cleaning, handwashing, hand sanitizing and skin care formulas under the GOJO®, PURELL® and PROVON® brand names. GOJO formulations use the latest advances in the science of skin care and sustainability.  GOJO is known for state-of-the-art dispensing technology, engineered with attention to design, sustainability and functionality.  GOJO programs promote healthy behaviors for hand hygiene, skin care and compliance in critical environments.  GOJO is a privately held corporation headquartered in Akron, with offices in the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Japan and Brazil. 

Contact:
Samantha Williams
Public Relations Director
GOJO Industries, Inc.
330-255-6397
[email protected]
www.gojo.com

Video with caption: "GOJO Industries received the Summit of Sustainability Large Business Award today for its commitment to social, environmental and economic sustainability. GOJO brings well-being solutions to the world from Summit County." Video available at: http://youtu.be/8z5WCqoo2lQ

SOURCE GOJO Industries