At Carlson, we take the health of our planet as seriously as the health of our customers. Carlson is a leader in the omega-3 fish oil market, and now we’re determined to become leaders in the industry in taking action to protect the environment and our waterways through teaming up with companies like Impact Collective (IC), Friend of the Sea® (FOS), and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).
Carlson was a pioneer in the North American fish oil industry, introducing sustainably sourced omega-3s from Norway in the early 1980s. Since then, it’s been our priority to help preserve the waterways for future generations. All Carlson nutritional supplement bottles are recyclable, but we’re going one step further. As a pioneering company in terms of environmental stewardship, Carlson Labs began working with PDI Sustainability Solutions experts in 2021, joining the PDI IMPACT COLLECTIVE (IC) footprint offset program to modernize our corporate sustainability program, meet sustainable packaging goals, accelerate the transition to a circular economy for plastics, and invest in a custom portfolio of verified projects that collect or recycle plastic. Together, we are empowered to be responsible stewards of our planet, while providing our customers with the same high-quality products. Through our participation with IC, we are working to remove plastic from the areas most affected, in particular, protecting water sources on which our products omega-3 products depend.
With the IC program, PDI makes it easier for brands like ours to address plastic waste issues without the burden of creating our own sustainability department or making significant upfront investments. The program invests in certified plastic collection and recycling projects to offset the plastic used in consumer-packaged goods, including purchasing certified plastic credits to offset the company’s plastic footprint. These activities are validated by third parties and certified by reputable standards as part of the program. One such project, certified by Verra and developed by IntegriCo, that IC recently invested in Waste Recycling Credits (WRCs) was in Louisiana. IntegriCo is a reputable organization that specializes in US-based solutions for hard-to-recycle plastic. They turn landfill plastic that doesn’t break down well into composite products that are strong and durable. Some of that plastic has been turned into railroad ties which are usually made from creosote coated timber.
As of July 2023, our entire product line is 100% plastic neutral. For every Carlson product purchased, we’ll remove the same amount of plastic waste from our waterways, giving the purchase a net-zero plastic footprint. So we can all play a part in contributing to a cleaner, greener environment. Since 2021, Carlson Labs has achieved the equivalent of recycling 16,197,250 plastic bottles (calculation based on 500 ml PET bottles, with an average weight of 20 grams each). Look for the Reduced Plastic Impact seal on Carlson bottles!
Carlson Labs and our suppliers also hold the Friend of the Sea® (FOS) certification. Founder, Paolo Bray, launched FOS in 2008 which is a non-profit organization whose mission is marine habitat conservation. As Paolo expected, a further expansion into certification of land-based products was needed and thus the World Sustainability Organization (WSO)was founded in 2014 which manages FOS and Friend of the Earth (FOE), two major international certifications for sustainable products and services. WSO unites FOS and FOE logos to certify sustainability for food (seafood and agriculture), non-food products, and services. With 30 years of experience, WSO conducts certifications through independent audits by accredited bodies. WSO maintains strict standards verified by benchmarks. These standards include social accountability, and WSO connects sustainable companies with buyers, promotes certified products, and supports conservation programs. In 2022, the WSO created the World Sustainability Foundation (WSF) as part of efforts to launch, manage, select and support conservation projects around the globe (currently in over 40 countries), preserving endangered species and critical habitat.
At Carlson Labs, the fish we use to make our products are quickly and easily replenished due to the natural fish lifecycle. Requirements for certification of omega-3s imply that fish oil originates from trimmings and bycuts. FOS certified products from fisheries must prove to be compliant with an extensive set of requirements. FOS certified wild-caught products must originate from fisheries that do not target stocks which are overexploited according to the best and most updated scientific information from independent Marine Research Institutes. The fishing method must be selective (less than 8% discards) and catch no endangered species. The fishing gear must not impact the seabed in an unsustainable way. The fishery must be well managed and compliant with laws and regulations. Waste and energy must be managed and minimized. Social accountability compliance is requested for crews onboard and workers in the processing lines. Fleets must be Dolphin-Safe and comply with FADs requirements, use Circle Hooks, and Tory lines when applicable. All independent benchmarks have confirmed the strength of the Friend of the Sea® Standard, which is still the only one providing for social accountability, dolphin-safe compliance, waste management and fuel efficiency.
Friend of the Sea® is the only sustainable fisheries certification program endorsed by National Accreditation Bodies, third party certification for sustainable seafood available on the international market. FOS is also continuously monitoring approved fishing vessels to verify compliance of the fleets by means of satellites to check on compliance with fishing season, social accountability, and marine protected areas. Look for the Friend of the Sea® logo on our omega-3 product labels!
Last but certainly not least, Carlson display boxes are Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified. SFI is a non-profit organization that was created to promote responsible forest management and to ensure that tree-based products were grown and harvested in sustainable ways. SFI guidelines include requirements to protect water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and at-risk species. To be certified, forest operations must undergo independent audits by accredited certification bodies. SFI is committed to continuously advancing sustainable forest management. Look for the SFI logo on our product boxes as it's one more step in our sustainable packaging initiative!
At Carlson, we’re thankful for our partnerships with these organizations that are making a difference, prioritizing our planet’s health, and empowering people to make a positive change.
