Koozie Group (asi/40480) is making doing good a core component of its business.

Bearing testimony to that is an annual report the Top 40 promotional products supplier just released on “Keep it. Give it.,” an initiative the Clearwater, FL-headquartered firm launched in late 2020 that guides efforts to increase positive social impacts and environmental sustainability.

“Over the past year, we have been excited to see the many ways in which our vision has been creating positive change in people’s lives, and we can’t wait to discover how that will continue in 2022 and beyond,” said CEO David Klatt, a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of promo’s most influential people.

Koozie Group’s Keep it. Give it. program is built upon four key focus areas that the company said will help establish a platform for scalable, profitable, and sustainable growth. These areas include fostering diversity and inclusion, giving back to employees and community, safety and social responsibility, and environmental stewardship.

During 2021, the first full year of the program, Koozie Group donated more than $250,000 to over 100 nonprofit organizations, including the United Way and Junior Achievement.

Meanwhile, the firm also affiliated with the Fair Labor Association, a nonprofit that promotes adherence to international and national labor laws in companies’ supply chains through accreditation/certification and related initiatives.

In addition, Koozie Group’s Sleepy Eye, MN, Red Wing, MN, and Clearwater facilities earned certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).

FSC certification ensures products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits. Open to private companies, government forestry agencies and others, SFI certifications are another signpost that sustainable practices are being implemented in a supply chain.

Other highlights of Koozie Group’s efforts include that 83% of all the company’s waste was recycled. Notably, Koozie Group said it recycled 4,379 tons of paper and cardboard. More than 1,000 Koozie Group products are made in the U.S., which reduces the carbon footprint of the company’s supply chain relative to importing from overseas.

Speaking of products: Koozie Group offers more than 100 items made from recycled materials. Nearly four in 10 of Koozie Group’s products now bear the firm’s KG Factor, a designation that means they have a lower environmental impact through longevity of use.

Also of note, the firm maintained its EPA Smart Shipper Status, a certification earned through improving freight transportation efficiency to reduce emissions.

“As a leader of the Keep it. Give it. program, I’m very excited about the future of this initiative,” said Trisha Joyce, a Koozie Group employee experience and communications specialist. “One year into our three-year plan and we’ve already managed to achieve several of our goals. A lot has been accomplished already through Keep it. Give it. and we look forward to making even more progress in the program’s four key areas in the future.”

With reported 2020 North American promo products revenue of $255 million, Koozie Group ranked seventh on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest suppliers in the industry.

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