Counselor Top 40 supplier HPG (asi/61966) has boosted its EcoVadis rating to Platinum – the highest level given out by the sustainability assessment platform, placing the supplier among the top 1% of companies assessed in the last 12 months.

EcoVadis, which assesses companies based on their environmental, ethical, labor and sustainable procurement practices, has been gaining steam in the promo products industry. HPG has been steadily improving its sustainability performance over the last few years: Two years ago, it achieved a Bronze rating from EcoVadis. Last year, HPG received a Gold rating.

Jing Rong, HPG (asi/61966)

“This past year has been one of significant progress for HPG,” said Jing Rong, vice president of supply chain and sustainability at HPG. “For me personally, it’s been inspiring to see how our people, processes and technology have come together to create real impact – not just for today, but for the long term.”

She added that sustainability isn’t merely a goal at HPG. “It’s a shared value that guides every decision we make,” Rong explained. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, but I know there’s still so much more we can do.”

The supplier has also published its new annual sustainability report, sharing progress and metrics-based targets for the years ahead. Following the Science Based Targets initiative standards, HPG has set goals to reduce Scope 1 (direct) and 2 (indirect) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 70% by 2028, from a 2023 baseline. The supplier also plans to ensure that by 2028, 60% of spending is with vendors who also have set science-based GHG reduction targets.

When it comes to Scope 3 emissions – indirect emissions associated with areas that include transportation and distribution of goods – HPG has a goal to cut them by 90% by 2030. And the supplier said it will offset 100% of carbon emissions from domestic shipments.

Last year, HPG said it achieved carbon neutrality on Scope 1 and 2 emissions by offsetting unavoidable emissions through the purchase of high-quality carbon credits, which will roll over this year. The supplier has a partnership with Evertreen to plant a tree for every order that includes a product made from natural materials. Last year, HPG planted more than 8,000 trees, offsetting more than 5,200 tons of CO2.

Chris Anderson, HPG

Other highlights from 2024 include launching 31% of new products with sustainable attributes. When it comes to giving back, HPG noted that it raised more than $10,000 for Hurricane Helene relief, with all funds donated to the Red Cross to support North Carolina communities. The supplier also donated roughly 20,000 pens and pencils to more than 60 schools last year.

“HPG remains unafraid to implement new strategies and approaches to propel our organization, and stakeholders, forward – and sustainability is no exception,” said Chris Anderson, CEO of HPG and a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of the most influential people in promo. “Given HPG’s established bias for action, at any given time we are either winning or learning. In the case of sustainability, we are happy to share our advancements, and our learnings along the way, in our annual comprehensive sustainability report.”

HPG ranks ninth on Counselor’s most recent list of the industry’s top suppliers, with 2023 North American promotional products revenue of $270.6 million.

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