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What's New

August 2010

August 21st is National Honeybee Awareness Day!

In addition to making honey, honey bees pollinate a third of our diet – hundreds of fruits and vegetables. These keystone species are also indicators of the health of our environment.

As you may know, bee populations have been in massive decline and bees have been mysteriously disappearing from their hives for the past five years – a syndrome better known as Colony Collapse Disorder.

The new documentary, Vanishing of the Bees, narrated by Oscar-nominated actress Ellen Page (Juno, Inception), takes a piercing investigative look at the economic, ecological, political and spiritual implications of the worldwide disappearance of the honeybee. The film also offers solutions for everyone to help the bees, other pollinators and protect our environment. www.vanishingbees.com

As a part of the film’s Bee the Change campaign, Vanishing of the Bees will be playing across the U.S. in theaters, libraries, schools, parks, churches and homes. You can even host screenings to bring people together and build community. Organizations can also use a film event as a tool to raise funds and build their membership.

We think this is an important film that can raise awareness about bees and our agricultural landscape and make a difference in the health of our world.

July 2010

Zero Waste to Landfill

Imagine a world without landfills. It’s a beautiful dream and we hope to help make it a reality. We’ve successfully eliminated landfill waste from our facilities as of this Earth month (April 2010). There is a lovely empty space where our dumpster used to sit. Learn more about our journey to zero landfill waste.

Sending zero waste to landfill seemed impossible three years ago when we were just recycling paper, plastic, glass and aluminum. But, we’ve come along way in reducing our waste and finding another life for just about everything. In every corner of our office and plant, you’ll find a five or six-bin waste-sorting station.

Our favorite bin is the compost bin and it’s where we put the most. In fact, 300 tons of material has been composted rather than sent to landfill since March of 2008. We love it because it becomes rich soil that helps gardens grow. If we can’t compost or recycle something, it goes to a waste-to-energy facility, where it’s used instead of coal to run cement kilns. Then the ash is used to make cinder blocks. We think materials should have an extended life rather than sit in the ground or under the ocean.

We couldn’t have done it without the hard work of our ECOBEES team, who keeps our sorting knowledge in check with fun activities like dumpster diving and bee-cycle swaps.

See our Dumpster Day Video.

June 2010

Burt's Bees Named #1 Green Brand

After polling more than 9,000 people in eight countries, the fifth annual ImagePower® Green Brands Survey named the Burt’s Bees the #1 green brand in the U.S.
Read the full story.
Read more about what Burt’s Bees is doing.

The top five U.S. brands perceived to be the "greenest" are:

1. Burt’s Bees
2. Whole Foods
3. Tom’s of Maine
4. Trader Joe’s
5. Google

May 2010

Two new Flavored Lip Balms for moist, healthy lips

Everyone’s a winner with Burt’s Bees’ earth-friendly lip balms, now in two new flavors. We bring the Rainforest to you with the rejuvenating açaí berry formula. Try our new lip balms now! Check out these new products at your favorite Burt's Bees retailer and right here on our site.

Nourishing Lip Balm with Mango Butter
Hydrate and soften lips naturally with this nourishing 100% natural lip balm. Specially formulated with mango butter, this replenishing balm soothes, moisturizes and protects to reveal smooth, healthy lips. Lips will love its lush, fruity flavor and the soft, moisturized feeling it leaves behind.

Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Açaí Berry
Leave lips feeling renewed, moisturized and healthy with this 100% natural lip balm. Superfruit, açaí berry, provides free radical fighting antioxidants and vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as healthy Omega oils, giving your lips a rejuvenating experience with a rich, sweet flavor. We call that one super balm!

April 2010

Honoring the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day at the 3rd Annual Planet Earth Celebration

We're proud to celebrate the planet, the local community, and the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with a seventies-themed festival dedicated to sustainable living at the third annual Planet Earth Celebration on Saturday, April 17, 2010. The day offers a perfect way for the local community to have fun and learn about the many opportunities for living lightly on the planet. Providing eco-smart goods and services that respect the Earth, this completely green festival is also managed and operated in a low-impact, Earth-friendly way.

For more information and to see video clips of previous events, visit www.planetearthcelebration.com

January 2010

Burt's Bees Featured on SmartPlanet.com

Burt's Bees' Yola Carlough talks sustainability with Smart Planet.
"What does sustainability mean for you now, at Burt’s Bees?
We look at it through our Greater Good business model. There are three components: a focus on natural health and wellness (through our products and workplace); social equity (ranging from workplace and sourcing practices to animal welfare); and environmental positioning (reducing energy, water and overall impact). We see sustainability as not just an environmental piece. It’s holistic. That’s a big part of our 2020 sustainability goals..."Read More

April 2009

2nd Annual Planet Earth Celebration, Respect Your Mother

We are proud to be a presenting sponsor of the Annual Planet Earth Celebration in Raleigh, N.C. on April 18th, 2009. This local Earth Day event is designed to bring together organizations and individuals dedicated to creating sustainable innovations. Click here to learn more about the event!

September 2008

Our first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report

We're proud to publish our very first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, The Greater Good Social and Environmental Progress Report: 2008 and Before, documenting our commitment to sustainable business practices.

Our CSR report details how we have progressed thus far as well as how we intend to reach the broad goals we continue to set forth. It also serves to explain how Burt’s Bees has retained our core values throughout our history, outlining our commitment to natural, environmental, and social agendas from day one up through the present — and looking toward the future. Click here to read the full report.

July 2008

Freshen Up Summer Skin

The long, lazy days of summer may have set in, but it's time to wake up your summer with these fresh new products. Be one of the first to try them! Check out these new products at your favorite Burt's Bees retailer and right here on our site.

Radiance Serum
Get more radiant, younger-looking skin in just two weeks with this nutrient rich and moisturizing natural formula with royal jelly and licorice root.

Fabulously Fresh Peppermint & Rosemary Body Bar
Cleanse, soften and refresh skin while invigorating your senses with this 100% natural exfoliating bar.

Res-Q Lip Balm SPF 15
Soothe, heal, and hydrate your lips while shielding them from the wind and sun with this 100% natural lip balm.

May 2008

Introducing the Natural Seal for Personal Care Products

Did you know that 78% of people believe that the designation "natural" is currently regulated and 97% think it should be? The fact is, it's not.

But starting now, "natural" can — and will — have the same meaning across the natural personal care products industry.

We're proud to announce that, along with the Natural Products Association and leading natural personal care companies, Burt's Bees has developed The Natural Products Association Natural Standard for Personal Care Products. It's a universally recognized set of guidelines designed to ensure your well-being by outlining when a product can be deemed truly "natural," based on the ingredients and processes that are used to make it.

And now, products that meet this standard can proudly wear the Natural Seal. Soon, the seal will appear in stores on Burt's Bees products and other truly natural personal care products. Find out more about the guidelines set forth in The Natural Standard for Personal Care Products and what the Natural Seal means to you at The Natural Product Association website.