NEW YORK, June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In recognition
of UN World Environment Day, Avon Products Inc. (NYSE: AVP) today
announced that it will plant two million trees to restore the
Atlantic Rainforest in South
America, one of the most critically endangered ecosystems in
the world. This commitment is part of the company's Hello Green
Tomorrow Campaign, announced in mid-March, to unleash the power of
its woman-to-woman network of 6.2 million Avon Representatives and 300 million customers
in a global women's environmental movement to nurture nature. In
just 80 days, this veritable green army was able to virtually
double the company's initial pledge of $1
million dollars, with every dollar going to the planting and
restoration of one tree. Sixty countries, ranging from Japan to Mexico to Russia, are participating in the Hello Green
Tomorrow campaign – making this the first truly global effort of
its kind.
"The two million trees we are planting represent the initial
milestone in what will be an ongoing global environmental
mobilization effort," said Andrea
Jung, Avon's chairman and
chief executive officer. "In addition to raising funds to plant and
restore trees, we are also leveraging our powerful woman-to-woman
network to drive 'green' educational information on the five simple
things each and every one of us can do to improve our environment."
She added, "This comprehensive Hello Green Tomorrow initiative
reflects the company's commitment to environmental stewardship and
to doing our part to protect our planet for the next
generation."
All trees planted in the Atlantic Rainforest through Hello Green
Tomorrow will support the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign. The trees will
be planted and the restored forest monitored by The Nature
Conservancy, Avon's partner in the
program.
"Conserving South America's Atlantic Rainforest is critical for
both nature and for the millions of local people who depend on it
for survival," said Glenn Prickett,
Chief External Affairs Officer of The Nature Conservancy.
"The funds raised with Avon
will advance The Nature Conservancy's restoration efforts in the
forest, which in turn will protect important sources of clean water
for local communities and, on a more global scale, help to regulate
the atmosphere and stabilize global climate."
Hello Green Tomorrow is Avon's
first external effort for an environmental cause, but the company
has a long heritage of mobilizing its Independent Sales
Representatives and customers to address the issues of breast
cancer and domestic violence. Through 2009, more than $725 million was raised and donated for these
causes worldwide through the Avon Foundation for Women. Hello Green
Tomorrow underscores Avon's
commitment to environmental stewardship in areas ranging from
greenhouse gas reduction to the use of "green" building standards
in new construction. As a reflection of this commitment, in 2009
Avon ranked #25 on Newsweek
magazine's first "green" list of the 500 largest US-based
corporations.
In conjunction with Hello Green Tomorrow, Avon announced the Avon Paper Promise,
a comprehensive policy outlining efforts and goals for promoting
sustainable forest use, protecting forests, and reducing demands on
forests. Avon's goal is to purchase 100% of its paper from
certified and or post consumer recycled content sources within ten
years, with a certification preference of Forest Stewardship
Council.
To support the educational mission of the Hello Green Tomorrow
Campaign, Avon launched a
comprehensive website focused on "Five Simple Things" that anyone
can do to be green: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink and Replant.
The website includes expert tips and blogs, interactive
opportunities to share green tips, and information on the Atlantic
Rainforest. In addition to the central site, there are local Hello
Green Tomorrow websites in many of the 60 participating countries
around the world.
For more information and to get involved in the program, visit
www.hellogreentomorrow.com.
Avon Products, Inc.
Avon, the company for
women, is a leading global beauty company, with over $10 billion in annual revenue. As the world's
largest direct seller, Avon
markets to women in more than 100 countries through approximately
6.2 million active independent Avon Sales Representatives.
Avon's product line includes
beauty, fashion and home products, and features such
well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft,
Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, and Mark.
Avon is a global leader in the
causes of breast cancer and domestic violence, with more than
$730 million raised and awarded
worldwide through the Avon Foundation for Women and global
philanthropic programs. The company is committed to environmental
stewardship and was rated #25 on the Newsweek green rankings
of the top 500 largest US companies, and Avon is committed to constant environmental
improvement worldwide. Learn more about Avon at www.avoncompany.com.
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) was founded in 1951 and is the
leading conservation organization working around the world to
protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and
people. The organization is headquartered in the US and works in
more than 30 countries and has protected more than 119 million
acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide, and they operate
over 100 marine conservation projects globally. The Conservancy is
a key partner in the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund program. Working with
its Brazil-based team and local
conservation partners, The Nature Conservancy will plant and
restore the trees as well as monitor the restored forest, ensuring
the long-term benefits of the Atlantic Rainforest.
UNEP Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the voice for the
environment within the United Nations systems. The UNEP mission is
to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the
environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and
peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that
of future generations. The Hello Green Tomorrow program supports
the UNEP Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign, a worldwide
tree planting initiative that encompasses people, communities,
businesses, industry, civil society organizations and governments
in 170 countries. The Billion Tree Campaign will make a substantial
contribution to the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity,
raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity for our
well-being.
SOURCE Avon Products, Inc.