Sustainability is not just a buzzword, it’s the future of our industry. With that in mind, we couldn’t think of anyone better to talk to about that very subject than our own Elizabeth Wimbush, VP of Supply Chain and Sustainability. She has her finger on the pulse of the latest in environmental best practices and is skillfully leading our company into a greener future. We chatted with her about the latest initiatives and projects she’s working on for us, but also about sustainability in our industry in general. Take it away, Liz!
Sustainability is important here at Genumark, and you are leading that charge! Can you tell us about some of the initiatives you’re working on?
I’d love to! On top of tracking our carbon offsets through freight programs and working with BCorp & NetZero suppliers, we’re also looking inwards. Soon we will be auditing our Scope 1 & Scope 2 emissions to know what our baseline is to improve from – what is measured is managed, right?
Additionally, we’re working on some internal sustainability education so that everyone at Genumark can positively contribute to our efforts – one thing I think is important to highlight is the need for equity for true sustainability, so efforts by our DEIB committee will play into this as well.
We’ve got some other awesome sustainability efforts underway that I can’t spill the beans on for now – stay tuned for exciting developments to come, not just during Earth Month but all year!
What is your ultimate goal for Genumark to make us as sustainable as possible?
My goal is to have every Genumarker be consistently aware of and make decisions supporting sustainable growth – business growth with clients who prioritize ethical and sustainable merch, growing our group of trusted vendor partners with aligned values and growing our team diversely equitably.
Some of those decisions can be as simple as “Can I have this meeting virtually to reduce emissions caused by multiple people driving?” or “How can I minimize the packaging waste involved in this kitting project?” – there are so many opportunities for everyone to be involved in this effort! Anyone who needs some inspiration can watch The Good Life Goals – a short video that highlights steps we can each take to help reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals, a global framework for building a sustainable future.
On top of that, I’m looking forward to setting GHG (greenhouse gas) reduction targets for Genumark as a business entity once we complete our baseline audit.
What are some of our favourite sustainable and eco-friendly merch products right now?
- These powerbanks from Nimble, the first tech company with a 100% sustainable business model, are a certified BCorp and a 1% For The Planet member.
- The oh-so-soft, 100% organic garments are backed by a transparent supply chain from The Good Tee, with some custom embroidery by one of our diverse-owned local decorator partners.
- 3. A custom-printed cotton tote from RIPL – every tote sold = 1000 sq ft of Brazilian rainforest purchased for protection by local indigenous stewardship groups. Now that’s using your purchasing power for good!
What’s your overall sense of sustainability in the branded merch industry? Who is driving the change?
The overall push to a sustainable industry has been building for some time now, thanks to the work of some tireless champions, but it started to pick up steam in the past few years. Some of our vendor partners have gone all in recently, with well-developed Impact Reports showing their goals and the roadmaps to get there. Some have commitments to only release new products that are fully sustainable – we love these moves and are doing everything we can to support them!
Ultimately, our wonderful customers drive the change – consumer demand for sustainable products has skyrocketed. It allows us to consolidate our spending power with those making said commitments, continuing a feedback loop that drives our industry to be better! We are so proud to work with clients with the same sense of urgency in continuing this important work. Keep voting with your marketing spend for a better future for us all!
