GT's Living Foods (GTLF), the maker of SYNERGY® Raw Kombucha and living foods pioneer that introduced bottled kombucha to the US, announced a major sustainability milestone, its flagship manufacturing facility has earned the globally recognized TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) Gold certification from Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI).

The prestigious recognition stands as a testament to GTLF's commitment to zero waste practices and sustainable operations, a commitment that resulted in the company securing a TRUE award-winning waste diversion rate. 

TRUE certification recognizes facilities that excel in reducing waste, optimizing resources, and creating positive environmental impacts. GTLF achieved this honor by implementing a comprehensive range of sustainability initiatives, including composting raw materials, using recyclable packaging, reducing its carbon footprint, and fostering employee engagement in waste reduction strategies.

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Key zero waste GTLF initiatives include:

Responsible Ingredient Sourcing & Usage
GTLF recycles 100% of the raw ingredients used in its products. All materials are converted into compost to enrich local soil and promote healthy plant growth, reducing waste from landfills.

Sustainable Packaging Practices
SYNERGY® Raw Kombucha has always been sold in 100% recyclable glass bottles with fully recyclable low-density polyethylene caps. 98% of GTLF's packaging materials are recyclable after consumer use. Recent packaging redesigns have reduced cardboard usage by 70%.

Carbon Footprint Reduction
65% of GTLF's suppliers are local to its Los Angeles headquarters. The company has also reduced energy consumption by 7% through the increased use of electric vehicles like forklifts in its manufacturing facilities.

Employee Engagement and Training
GTLF empowers all employees and suppliers to participate in its sustainability initiatives. Regular waste reviews and sustainability questionnaires help identify improvement opportunities and ensure compliance with GTLF's sustainability standards.

"Since our founding in 1995, we have believed that Mother Nature is our world's greatest healer. As a company that makes living nutrition products from Mother Nature, it's our responsibility to protect and preserve our beautiful planet that has given us so much," said Mark House, chief operating officer at GTLF. "We're thrilled to announce our first TRUE certification, with more to come, as we continue to work towards a healthier future for all of us."

Waste affects every part of the planet and effective waste management strategies are critical to ensuring both public and environmental health. By pursuing TRUE certification, GTLF demonstrates a commitment to sustainability leadership by shifting to circular thinking and prioritizing processes, operations and actions to reduce waste and resources throughout their system lifecycle.

While achieving TRUE Gold certification is a significant milestone, the company's sustainability journey will continue. GTLF is committed to continuously evaluating every part of its operations, seeking new ways to improve, innovate, and reduce its environmental impact, with a goal to reach even higher standards in the future.