PPS Annual Report 2021

LETTER FROM LEADERSHIP

After a challenging 2020, our team picked up the pace to successfully support our clients’ increasingly robust sustainability efforts in 2021. We are proud of the impact we’ve had through our client initiatives, which can be found on pages 7-11 of this report.

In 2021, Planet+Purpose Solutions (PPS) became a South Carolina Benefit Corporation, which means PPS provides a “material positive impact on society and the environment taken as a whole, as assessed against a third-party standard” according to the laws of the State of South Carolina.

In addition to becoming a Benefit Corporation, PPS also became a Certified B Corporation, one of only a handful in South Carolina. We spent two years

preparing for the rigorous assessment and were thrilled to be designated a B Corp, achieving the gold standard of business sustainability certifications.

Emerging from a global shutdown with the 2020 pandemic was not easy, and I would like to thank our PPS team members and clients for continuing to push forward with boundless energy to achieve lasting, positive impact in 2021.

With immense gratitude,

Lia Colabello Managing Principal Planet+Purpose Solutions, PBC

ABOUT US

We help organizations launch meaningful sustainability initiatives.

Planet+Purpose Solutions, PBC provides strategic guidance to help organizations design, launch and implement sustainability initiatives. Our experience spans the outdoor, sports, pet, beauty and wellness industries, nonprofit organizations, cultural institutions and municipalities. We have an extensive network and expertise related to ocean conservation, climate, packaging recyclability, environmental health, plastic pollution and singleuse plastics policy, alternatives and reduction initiatives. Our clients’ award-winning sustainability and purpose-driven initiatives reduce their environmental impact and increase employee engagement, consumer loyalty, industry leadership and recognition.

PPS builds brand awareness by connecting our clients to their purpose and their purpose to consumers through authentic action, accelerating solutions to some of the world’s greatest environmental challenges.

WE EQUIP CURRENT + FUTURE LEADERS TO BE CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE

OUR DIVERSITY, EQUITY + INCLUSION STATEMENT

As a women-led business and certified B Corp, PPS highly values diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to the principles of diversity and equal employment opportunity, and to comply with all federal, state and local laws that are applicable to equal employment. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals, as well as administer any and all personnel actions, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation or identity, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital status, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran, service in

the federal or state military, liability for military service, arrest or conviction record, union affiliation, pregnancy or breastfeeding, medical or genetic information, atypical hereditary cellular blood trait, refusal to submit to a genetic test or make test results available to PPS, or status as a qualified individual with a disability, in accordance with applicable laws.

OUR CERTIFICATIONS & AFFILIATIONS

Carbon Neutral By 2022

Since 2020

Zero Waste

OUR 2021 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS + REDUCTION GOALS

As a certified B Corp, PPS meets the highest standards of verified performance, accountability and transparency related to critical environmental and social criteria. This rigorous certification reflects our deep commitment to be a business force for good.

PPS became certified Climate Neutral in 2020 and achieved the certification again in 2021. We are one of 300 organizations from around the world that have achieved this designation, which requires companies to not only measure and offset their carbon footprint through the purchase of verified carbon credits but also holds organizations accountable for future emissions reductions. Like all Climate Neutral certified brands, we are implementing a Reduction Action Plan to reduce carbon emissions from our operations.

WHAT WE’RE REDUCING

Travel Emissions

HOW WE’LL REDUCE IT

• Develop a low impact travel policy

• Send regional staff to events closest to them

• Use travel services that offset their emissions like Lyft and select airlines

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS FROM 2021

We are so grateful to our dedicated clients who continue to invest in bold purpose and mission based initiatives designed to positively impact people and the planet. We highlight some of the amazing work we have accomplished through our client partnerships in the next section of this report.

COSTA SUNGLASSES (ESSILOR LUXOTTICA)

PPS supports Costa sunglasses’ sustainability community and conservation initiatives. We manage Kick Plastic, an ambitious endeavor to reduce the brand’s single-use plastic footprint in its operations, at events and in its supply chain.

PPS designs, implements and manages programs to engage Costa’s communities, working with 1500 businesses in the optical and outdoor industries to eliminate single-use plastic from their operations. This includes the Kick Plastic Ambassador program, where we work with eye care professionals across the country to recycle demo lenses that are otherwise destined for landfill. To date, more than 12 tons of polycarbonate lenses have been recycled through the program.

PPS also helped design and launch Costa’s Kick Plastic Guide & Outfitter Program, which educates and activates fishing guides

and outfitters around the issue of plastic pollution. Our team is responsible for program management and support, the development of print and digital assets, guide onboarding and impact tracking. More than 750 businesses in 14 countries have eliminated 3 million singleuse plastic water bottles since the program’s launch.

In addition, PPS supported the launch of the second edition of the Untangled Collection of sunglasses made from recycled fishing nets, sourced from South America through Costa’s partner Bureo.

PPS also quarterbacked the first Costa Protect Report, providing a snapshot of the company’s numerous sustainability initiatives. Costa’s corporate responsibility efforts earned the company numerous awards and recognition as a sustainability leader in the outdoor, fishing and eyewear industries.

Image Credits: Costa Sunglasses

INNERSENSE ORGANIC BEAUTY

PPS collaborates with Innersense Organic Beauty – a clean beauty brand founded on a commitment to use business as a force for good – offering strategic guidance related to their comprehensive sustainability initiatives.

Innersense Organic Beauty is unwavering in its commitment to preserve and protect the health of both people and the planet. The brand uses only clean, pure and ethically sourced ingredients that are formulated with conscious chemistry. Their sustainability initiatives also include a packaging stewardship plan, numerous certifications, including B Corp, Climate Neutral and Plastic Neutral through rePurpose Global, as well as a partnership with 1% for the Planet.

Innersense has shifted the majority of the brand’s plastic packaging to 100% postconsumer recycled content and launched refill pouches for its hairbaths and conditioners.

The company advocates tirelessly for stronger regulations related to health and safety in the beauty industry and gives generously (both time and treasure) to a wide range of non-profit partners that further the company’s mission “to inform, inspire and empower beauty professionals and consumers to make healthy choices.”

Innersense Organic Beauty continues to win covetable awards, industry praise, and customer loyalty and truly stands out as a clean beauty leader.

Planet+Purpose Solutions has been a strong, effective partner for our sustainability accreditation program. They are thorough, knowledgeable, prompt, and, equally important, easy to work with!

- ASHLEY LANE SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER, ACCREDITATION, PSC

PET SUSTAINABILITY COALITION

In 2021, the PPS team began providing independent, third-party verification and oversight for the Pet Sustainability Coalition’s (PSC) Accreditation Program.

PSC’s Accreditation Program uses the SDG Action Manager, a globally recognized third party assessment, as a benchmark tool to evaluate a company’s sustainability related strengths and weaknesses to inform the development of custom strategies for PSC Accredited companies. With over 50 accredited companies in the program, PSC Accreditation offers a unique opportunity

for companies in the pet industry to deepen their sustainability initiatives and be recognized for their commitment.

Our experience with a variety of third-party sustainability frameworks, including the B Impact Assessment, allowed our team to bring strategic insights to PSC related to the Accreditation Program and verification process.

Image Credits: Pet Sustainability Coalition / @petsustainability

NUUN HYDRATION

Planet+Purpose Solutions has partnered with Nuun Hydration since 2019 on their sustainability initiatives. As part of its Clean Planet strategy, PPS helped Nuun Hydration become B Corp Certified in 2021 and achieve Climate Neutral certification for 2019, 2020 and 2021. Our team worked with Nuun suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint of its value chain through “trickle down sustainability” practices.

PPS also provided guidance related to Nuun’s internal Clean Planet strategy, including the launch of Nuun’s green team, monthly sustainability challenges and sustainable packaging research. Our team also represented Nuun on various industry working groups, such as People 4 Bikes’ Sustainability Working Group and Sustainable Food Trade Action Council.

Image Credits: Nuun Hydration / @nuunhydration

PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE PLANET

The PPS team volunteers in our communities and serves on boards of numerous philanthropic organizations. Our team works closely with Charleston Waterkeeper, the South Carolina Aquarium, the College of Charleston, and other environmental and educational nonprofit organizations. We also actively participate within the community to promote policy action around singleuse plastics, climate action and other environmental sustainability initiatives. As a business member of 1% for the Planet, PPS also donates 1% of gross sales to our non-profit partners.

WE SUPPORT

American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) Nonprofit Partner

B Lab Nonprofit Partner

Breast Cancer Prevention Partners Nonprofit Partner

Captains for Clean Water Nonprofit Partner

Charleston Waterkeeper Nonprofit Partner

Climate Collaborative Nonprofit Partner

Climate Neutral Nonprofit Partner

Kokua Hawaii Foundation Nonprofit Partner

Lonely Whale Foundation Nonprofit Partner

Naturally Boulder Nonprofit Partner

The Ocean Foundation Nonprofit Partner

Pact Collective Nonprofit Partner

Plastic Pollution Coalition (A project of Earth Island Institute) Nonprofit Partner

Trout Unlimited Nonprofit Partner

1% for the Planet Nonprofit Partner

The 5 Gyres Institute Nonprofit Partner

UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

As a women-owned and led business, PPS seeks an end to all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. Through our work with organizations, we advocate for women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. Through both our consulting initiatives and personal lifestyle choices, PPS works to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix and support policy action to increase access to clean energy.

Our work with clients is centered around reducing their environmental impacts, whether it be reducing reliance on virgin fossil-fuels by light-weighting packaging, choosing sustainable materials and using post-consumer recycled content or through waste reduction initiatives. We work to educate our clients and their key stakeholders on how to minimize their ecological footprint and design and manage circular programs to ensure a sustainable future for all.

As a Climate Neutral certified brand, PPS not only offsets its carbon footprint through the purchase of verified offsets but also sets measurable targets to achieve emissions reductions going forward. We are proud to work with clients who have also achieved Climate Neutral certification and who work to reduce their climate impacts through offsets and more sustainable business practices.

PPS embodies the effort to promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. Our work helps improve global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavors to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation. We believe in the opportunity to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.

Through our work with companies, and as engaged citizens in the City of Charleston, we advocate for the need to upgrade infrastructure and support the goal of retrofitting industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.

We have expertise in ocean plastic pollution and have, since our inception, worked to stem the tide of single-use plastic flowing into our oceans, lakes and rivers. Our multi-faceted approach to addressing the issue includes educational outreach, designing and implementing B2B and B2C engagement campaigns, conducting waste audits, and advocating for policy change at the federal, state and local level.

PPS encourages our clients to adopt sustainable business practices that reduce their impacts on our planet’s finite resources, including those related to loss of biodiversity and ecosystem degradation. We prioritize the use of renewable resources and high recycled content for products and packaging and organic and regenerative agricultural practices for ingredient sourcing.

Our work to reduce both our own and our clients’ carbon footprint, along with our volunteerism with the City of Charleston’s Climate Action Plan, supports the opportunity to substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change and improve resilience to disasters.

The solutions needed to address the gravest threats to our planet and humanity are complex and require collaborative, multi-stakeholder partnerships at the local, national and international level. We work with our clients to take an active role within industry groups and work with NGOs and other organizations to share knowledge, financial resources and technologies that will help the collective whole make meaningful progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.