Our Commitment to Sustainability

A lot of companies publish sustainability reports, but for GoMacro, sustainability is much more than just a buzzword or a box to check off - it’s built into the very foundation of our business. In fact, one of the 5 Principles that guides our business is “Tread Lightly.” We strive not only to make delicious nutrition bars (though we’ve definitely got that covered), but to spread awareness for a balanced, plant-based lifestyle with products that have positive effects on the world. We’re proud of the innovative ways we’ve reduced waste, embraced renewable energy, and continued to raise the bar for sustainability in the industry. Below are some of the ways we live out our commitment to Tread Lightly.

100% Renewable Energy

Our facility in Viola, WI is powered by a combination of solar and wind energy, allowing us to make MacroBars with 100% renewable energy. Our journey began in 2017 with the installation of 844 solar panels on the roof of our facility, which provide around 40% of the power used. We fulfill the remainder of our energy needs by purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs) for wind energy from wind farms in the region. Even the sleeves we wrap our trays in are produced by 100% renewable energy! We also reduce our electricity usage through the use of high-efficiency LEDs, hot water recirculation, and energy-efficient HVAC systems.

Waste Reduction & Recycling

We’re committed to becoming zero-waste and landfill-free, and we’re working to reduce waste along the entire lifecycle of our bars. Zero-Waste Certification requires companies to be 90% waste-free, and at 79.1% waste-free, we’re well on our way to achieving our goal. In 2019, we reduced our food scrap waste by 8.4%, and 100% of scrap was sent to local farms for animal feed and supplementation. That equates to 290 tons diverted from landfills! Another way we divert waste from landfills is through our recycling programs. With the help of Kimberly-Clark, we eliminate over 150,000 gloves and 275,000 hair nets from local landfills each year. In 2019, we recycled 3,769 pounds of hairnets, beard nets, and rubber gloves, as well as 35,000 nut butter pails. We continue to reuse plastic pails for our internal Farm Share program, and cardboard totes for microgreens in the garden. In total, we recycled 91 tons of non-product outputs in 2019. Made from 100% post-consumer recycled material, our MacroBar trays can also be composted, reused, and recycled. We used approximately 3.8M trays in 2019, which equated to a total of 380,000 pounds. On average, packaging accounts for about 5% of the energy used in the life cycle of a food product, making it a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By using 100% compostable material in our packaging trays, we help reduce these GHG emissions.

Sustainable Sourcing

One of our Five Principles is “Eat Positive,” and one way we live out that value is through ethical and thoughtful sourcing of our ingredients. In 2019, we sourced nearly 5 million pounds of organic, sustainably-made nut butter, oats, and other ingredients. We believe that natural food that is closer to the earth and less processed is healthier for the body, soul, and planet, and we always opt for suppliers whose values and commitment to quality match our own. All suppliers must meet our high standards when it comes to organic, vegan, gluten-free, Kosher, non-GMO and other certifications. We also look for those with excellent sustainability programs in place and choose to support Equal Partner Program suppliers as often as possible. Check out our Responsible Sourcing page for more information.

Sustainable Transportation

As part of our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in transportation, 60% of GoMacro’s distribution is done through two sustainable methods. We partner with neighboring business, Organic Valley, and their transportation division, Organic Logistics, to consolidate shipments and reduce the number of trucks needed. We also utilize sustainable transportation from UPS as we continue to seek out ways to make our shipping more responsible and environmentally friendly.

Carbon Offsets

Through our partnership with ClimeCo, we have supported the Envira Amazonia Project, funding the planting of over 6,000 trees. Often referred to as the “planet’s lungs,” the Amazon Rainforest produces roughly 6-9% of the world’s oxygen supply. The Envira Amazonia Project mitigates the release of more than 12.5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. It also works to protect the habitat for threatened tree species, lending to an extraordinary amount of biodiversity, which directly benefits the local communities.

Creating a More Positive World

We all have opportunities to make positive changes for the planet through volunteering, donating, voting, and implementing sustainable habits in our homes and workplaces. From large-scale initiatives like using 100% renewable energy, to the choices we make about ingredient sourcing or packaging, we believe even small steps add up to big impact.

We’re proud of the progress we’ve made toward our sustainability goals, and we’re excited to continue building on our momentum to create a more positive world with you, one bite at a time.

2019 Sustainability Report

Edited Aug 2021