Counselor Top 40 supplier Goldstar (asi/73295) is strengthening its sustainability commitment, releasing a 2024 environmental, social and governance (ESG) report that outlines its progress and future goals.

Earlier this year, Goldstar received an EcoVadis Bronze medal, placing it among the top 35% of companies assessed by the business sustainability platform. EcoVadis, which has become an increasingly popular sustainability tool in promo, measures companies based on their policies, actions and results within four key pillars: environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. In addition to its EcoVadis rating, Goldstar has achieved Forest Stewardship Council certification for paper and bamboo products, ensuring they are sourced from responsibly managed forests.

Goldstar (asi/73295) has published its 2024 ESG report.

Among the goals shared in Goldstar’s ESG report is the company’s intention to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. To reach that goal, the supplier is using life cycle analyses to evaluate the environmental impact of products and establish a baseline to guide reduction efforts. Goldstar said it’s optimizing production processes, including relocating some facilities to the Czech Republic to reduce transportation emissions in the EU market. Additionally, the supplier said it’s making efficiency improvements in its Mexico facilities.

“Sustainability is at the core of everything we do,” said Heather Smartt, global head of Goldstar and a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of the most influential people in promo. “Every step we take reflects our commitment to making a meaningful impact and shaping a better and more sustainable future, not just for us, but for our partners too.”

Goldstar said that in 2024 it introduced 60 new “Made Better” products – made from recycled or responsibly sourced materials. The supplier eliminated PVC and polystyrene from its plastic packaging. It’s reduced virgin plastic packaging by 70% and notes that 60% of its plastic products are reusable or recyclable.

Plus, Goldstar is enhancing supply chain visibility with Aware tracer technology and digital product passports (DPP) in recycled bags. The Aware tracer is a physical marker embedded at the source of raw materials that can be authenticated anytime with a specialized scanner. The DPP – using a QR code sewn into a product’s internal label – provides access to the entire supply chain, from raw materials to finished product.

“By making real progress in these areas, we’re helping distributors offer smarter, more responsible solutions that meet the growing demand for sustainability,” Smartt said.

Several other promo suppliers have implemented Aware technology into products, including Counselor Top 40 supplier Gemline (asi/56070). Beginning in 2027, all textiles in the European market will be required to include DPPs, with regulations for other product categories expected to follow in the future.

Goldstar has been highlighting its push toward sustainability in recent years, showing off products like its Coastal Threads bags, made using certified Repreve Our Ocean recycled ocean-bound plastic fibers. In early 2024, the supplier announced a partnership with Ocean Bottle (asi/74713) to offer drinkware that funds the collection of 1,000 ocean-bound single-use plastic bottles for every bottle sold.

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