Norwex

Norwex has committed to avoid many ingredients to lower its environmental impact, including parabens, phthalates, PFAs, microplastics, harmful suncare ingredients, and other petrochemical-based ingredients. While it has these ingredient commitments, it still uses a few ingredients that pose a significant threat to the climate, including potential microplastics, other petrochemical-based ingredients, and uncertified palm oil or palm oil-derived ingredients. It can be very difficult to eliminate these entirely, especially for small brands with limited resources. Its products incorporate biodegradable and organic ingredients. It carries products that have certifications from EWG Verified, OEKO-TEX, and USDA Certified Biobased.

Norwex has made efforts to reduce virgin plastic in its product containers by incorporating recycled and ocean bound plastics, though these materials are still a minority of its plastics overall. It also uses environmentally-mindful materials in its product containers, including ones that are curbside recyclable, such as glass. It has made efforts to minimize the amount of material used in some of its product containers, including by offering concentrated formats for liquids. It doesn't share any information on its shipping materials.

Norwex doesn't share information on its energy strategy. Norwex doesn't provide information on any water conservation strategies. Norwex has a global production span, which is standard for the industry.

Norwex offers refills, but puts many of them in packaging that is unidentified or otherwise difficult to dispose of, which adds to landfill waste. It doesn't offer any take back programs for its product containers. Its 'Forever bottles' are curbside recyclable, but they're not widely offered. It provides recycling and/or disposal guidance for some of its products. It helps minimize the end of life impact of its products by choosing some packaging materials that are: monomaterial curbside recyclable.

It's unclear if this brand releases new items seasonally or otherwise frequently, which can create excess waste. It takes measures to reduce the EoL impact of its non-consumable products by offering an EoL program for old cleaning cloths that uses waste to energy processing in place of sending them to a landfill.

Commons is still evaluating this brand's marketing emails.

Norwex has a prominent sustainability page with comprehensive details on its climate strategy. Like many small brands with limited resources, it doesn't publish an annual sustainability report. Norwex shares a complete list of ingredients used in its products, on a per product basis.

Commons couldn't find information on this brand's emissions tracking. This process can be an expensive undertaking for small brands.

Commons couldn't find emissions reduction targets for this brand. Commons couldn't find evidence that this brand offsets any emissions.

Norwex doesn't publish information about its supply chain partners. It publicly shares a Supplier Requirements Manual, which prohibits forced labor and prohibits child labor. This manual doesn't cover: unauthorized subcontracting, ensuring the right to collective bargaining, ensuring a living wage, establishing grievance mechanisms, or any clear environmental clauses. Norwex doesn't have a stated policy of regularly auditing its supply chain partners. This may increase human and environmental risks.

Commons wasn't able to find evidence of any trade association memberships or any relevant policy for this brand. It isn't a member of advocacy organizations advancing climate policy. It doesn't employ any state lobbyists. Norwex didn't donate more than $100k to climate-obstructive candidates or PACs from 2018-2024.