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Sustainability is Part of Our DNA!

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day

Commitment People Sustainability Apr 22, 2020

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we take a moment to reflect on how our employees embody a deep-rooted commitment to Henkel’s sustainability goals - to triple the value we create for the footprint made by our operations, products and services.  At the heart of these goals is achieving more with less and this philosophy guides all company business processes and activities. Here are some notable examples of how our employees are helping to drive sustainability efforts in our communities across Henkel North America.

#trashfighters clean up in the community

#trashfighters is an employee-driven initiative to raise awareness of the fight against plastic waste. Throughout 2019, more than 400 employees across 14 locations in North America participated in community service activities to clean up parks, beaches, and neighborhoods. As one of the first #trashfighters events in 2020, more than 100 Henkel #trashfighters gathered for a beach clean-up in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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In February 2020, Henkel employees joined the fight against plastic waste by cleaning up a local beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Participating in the beach clean-up was David Katz, Founder and CEO of the Plastic Bank. David Katz also served as the keynote speaker of a Henkel meeting, coinciding with the beach clean-up.

In February 2020, Henkel employees joined the fight against plastic waste by cleaning up a local beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Participating in the beach clean-up was David Katz, Founder and CEO of the Plastic Bank. David Katz also served as the keynote speaker of a Henkel meeting, coinciding with the beach clean-up.

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In February 2020, Henkel employees joined the fight against plastic waste by cleaning up a local beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Participating in the beach clean-up was David Katz, Founder and CEO of the Plastic Bank. David Katz also served as the keynote speaker of a Henkel meeting, coinciding with the beach clean-up.

In February 2020, Henkel employees joined the fight against plastic waste by cleaning up a local beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Participating in the beach clean-up was David Katz, Founder and CEO of the Plastic Bank. David Katz also served as the keynote speaker of a Henkel meeting, coinciding with the beach clean-up.

Sustainability Ambassadors teaching youngsters

Launched in 2012, Henkel’s global Sustainability Ambassador Program has recruited and trained more than 50,000 employee ambassadors worldwide - teaching and motivating students to reduce, reuse and recycle at school and at home.  To date, more than 1,200 students from Bentonville, AK, and Stamford and Trumbull, CT, engaged in Henkel’s Sustainability Ambassador School program last year.

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Henkel Sustainability Ambassadors from the Walmart sales office in Bentonville, AR helped fourth graders at Jones Elementary build birdhouses from recyclable materials.

Henkel Sustainability Ambassadors from the Walmart sales office in Bentonville, AR helped fourth graders at Jones Elementary build birdhouses from recyclable materials.

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Henkel Sustainability Ambassadors from the Walmart sales office in Bentonville, AR helped fourth graders at Jones Elementary build birdhouses from recyclable materials.

Henkel Sustainability Ambassadors from the Walmart sales office in Bentonville, AR helped fourth graders at Jones Elementary build birdhouses from recyclable materials.

Sustainability Committees – a force for action

Employees rally together to form local sustainability committees at several Henkel North America locations. Bridgewater, NJ and Rocky Hill, CT are two Henkel locations proudly leading local initiatives.
The Bridgewater Sustainability Committee’s mission is to organize major volunteer initiatives, and these events help participants learn about conservation, recycling, biodegradability, and circular economy.

Bridgewater, NJ employees volunteer in organized events such as planting native plants clearing hiking trails, and cleaning riverbanks clean‐ups for positive environmental impact.

Bridgewater, NJ employees volunteer in organized events such as planting native plants clearing hiking trails, and cleaning riverbanks clean‐ups for positive environmental impact.


The Rocky Hill Sustainability Committee was formed last year to encourage awareness and engagement through education, research, operations and community partnerships. Earlier this year, the committee put together a sustainability fair where employees from different business units discussed Henkel's commitment to green practices and portfolios.

Mike Olosky President Henkel North America - Thumbnail