Walgreens earned a D- grade, scoring 21.5 out of 135 possible points, ranking 18th out of 30 retailers. The company has started to take some actions to address toxic chemicals in the products it sells, but still has much room for improvement. Walgreens first announced in late 2014 that it was developing a Chemical Sustainability Program but progress was slowed by its merger with Alliance Boots. Most recently, the company has pledged to release a chemicals policy and a Beyond Restricted Substance List (BRSL) in 2018, signifying that it’s finally making real progress behind the scenes. Additionally, the company is utilizing the UL WERCS and PurView systems to collect information about chemicals from suppliers to identify where chemicals of concern are found and help inform the development of the company’s chemicals policy and Beyond Restricted Substances List (BRSL).
Opportunities for improvement: The company can improve by including clear goals, benchmarks and timelines for implementation of its forthcoming chemicals policy and ensure the policy applies to both private label and brand name products sold in its stores. The company should also certify private label cleaning products to a third-party program such as EPA Safer Choice, Made Safe, or Green Seal. Walgreens should become a signatory to the Chemical Footprint Project and pilot it with key private label suppliers.
Note — our assessment is primarily based on the policies and practices of Walgreens (as opposed to the other businesses part of Walgreens Boots Alliance).
Summary of Walgreens’ Grade
0 out of 15 points
Policy: Adopted a retailer safer chemicals policy
7.5 out of 10 points
Oversight: Established management responsibilities and incentives
The company states that, “The Board of Directors of Walgreens Boots Alliance is committed to sound corporate governance and sets high standards for employees, officers and directors. The Board exercises oversight of the Company’s strategic, operational and financial matters, including the elements and dimensions of major risks facing the Company which may include risk management with respect to CSR matters. The Board has charged its Nominating and Governance Committee with reviewing, at least annually, the Company’s policies and activities regarding CSR.”
It is not clear if there are financial incentives for senior management to implement safer chemical policies.
0 out of 10 points
Accountability: Ensures supply chain accountability
5 out of 10 points
Disclosure: Requires suppliers to report use of chemicals in products to retailer
0 out of 15 points
Action: Reduced or eliminated chemicals of high concern within the last three years
0 out of 10 points
Safer Alternatives: Evaluates safer alternatives, avoids regrettable substitutes
4 out of 15 points
Transparency: Demonstrates a commitment to transparency and public disclosure
Walgreens Ology and Well Beginnings product lines are free of a number of chemicals of high concern. The company does not appear to further encourage or require the disclosure of ingredients in products sold online or on product packaging.
0 out of 7.5 points
Chemical Footprint: Evaluates its chemical footprint
0 out of 7.5 points
Third-party Standards: Promotes credible third party standards for safer products
Extra Credit:
0 out of 5 points
Joint Announcement: Public commitment demonstrated through joint announcement
0 out of 15 points
Continuous Improvement: Shows continuous improvement by steadily expanding safer chemicals policy
0 out of 5 points
Safer Products: Program to promote safer products in stores and/or on website
5 out of 5 points
Collaboration: Actively participates in collaborative process to promote safer chemicals
0 out of 5 points
Impact Investment: Investing financial resources into independent research into safer alternatives and/or green chemistry solutions