Sustainability
What Is Sustainability?
At Church & Dwight, sustainability is part of who we are. Since our earliest days, it has shaped how we operate and innovate. As far back as 1907, ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda began using recycled cardboard to package its products. But what is sustainability exactly? In simple terms, it means using resources responsibly so future generations can thrive. A widely accepted sustainability definition is “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.”
In essence, sustainability means balance, between environmental care, social well-being, and economic success. You might even call it a sustainability synonym for responsibility. This responsibility guides how we create products, operate our facilities, and engage with our communities. It also forms the foundation of our corporate sustainability strategy.
Why Sustainability Matters
So, why sustainability matters is simple: our collective future depends on it. Every choice made across society, by individuals, businesses, and governments, has an impact on the planet and the people who live on it.
For Church & Dwight, sustainability in business means leading with transparency, reducing emissions, lowering waste, improving product design, and supporting the communities where we live and work. It also means continuously improving our operations through clear goals and measurable progress.
What Is Corporate Sustainability at C&D?
At its core, corporate sustainability is how a company integrates environmental, social, and governance values into its strategy and daily decision-making. As documented in our 2024 Sustainability Report, we organize our approach around six pillars of sustainability. These pillars shape our priorities and reflect how sustainability lives across every part of our business:
- Our Brands
Deliver trusted, high-quality brands that help consumers live better while reducing environmental impact through product and packaging innovation. - Products
Create safe, effective products made with ingredients that respect people and the planet, including transparency around chemicals of concern. - Packaging
Design packaging to use less plastic, increase recyclability, and expand post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. - Employees & Communities
Support an inclusive workplace, encourage volunteerism, and invest in programs that strengthen the communities where we operate. - Responsible Sourcing
Work with suppliers who meet high environmental, labor, and ethical standards, and partner with them to reduce emissions across our value chain. - Environment & Climate Change
Reduce our operational footprint through lower greenhouse gas emissions, water and energy efficiency, renewable electricity, and long-term climate commitments.
These six pillars guide how we embed sustainability into our culture and long-term business strategy.
Sustainability in Manufacturing
For a global company like ours, sustainability in manufacturing is one of the most meaningful ways we can make an impact. We focus on cleaner processes, smarter design, and long-term engineering improvements that lower our environmental footprint.
Across our facilities, we work to:
- Improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Incorporate renewable energy
- Minimize waste and increase recycling
- Use water more responsibly
- Design products that require less material or energy to produce
This focus ensures our manufacturing remains responsible, efficient, and aligned with our long-term sustainability goals.
Recycling and Environmental Impact
Recycling is one of the most effective ways individuals and companies can support environmental sustainability. When people ask, “How do recycling practices lead to environmental sustainability?” the answer is straightforward: recycling keeps materials out of landfills, conserves natural resources, and reduces pollution.
Church & Dwight continues to improve our packaging so that more of it can be recycled. We’re also increasing the amount of post-consumer materials used in our products and reducing the total amount of plastic needed. This not only reduces waste but also supports a more circular economy.
Our Employees Give Back
Our commitment to sustainability goes far beyond our products and facilities, it lives in our people. Across Church & Dwight, employees actively support local communities through volunteering, environmental outreach, and donation programs.
Common efforts include:
- Tree planting events
- Plastic and waste collection drives
- Clothing and textile recycling
- Volunteering at schools, shelters, and community clean-ups
These activities bring our sustainability values to life and demonstrate how small actions, multiplied across many people, can create meaningful change.
External Recognition for Sustainability
Our long-standing commitment to corporate sustainability continues to be recognized by respected third-party organizations. Recent acknowledgments include:
- TIME Magazine– Ranked 422 in the Top 500 list of Time Magazine’s 2025 ranking of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies
- Newsweek– Recognized on America’s Most Responsible Companies list
- USA Today– Included on the USA Today Climate Leaders
These accolades highlight the progress we’re making and reinforce the importance of embedding sustainability into every part of our business.
Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future
At Church & Dwight, sustainability is a journey fueled by responsibility, innovation, and a commitment to constant improvement. By embedding our six sustainability pillars across the business and elevating corporate responsibility at every level, we’re reducing our footprint, supporting stronger communities, and helping to create a more sustainable future that is vital to our continued success.
Our approach is simple: do the right thing, invest in our people and processes, and continually evolve to meet the needs of both today and tomorrow. Together with our employees, business partners, and customers, we’re creating a culture where sustainability in business is part of everyday life.
Want a deeper look at how we’re driving meaningful impact? Discover the details in our Sustainability Report.