Burt’s Bees’ Replogle looks for ‘greater good’
Triangle Business Journal - by Lisa Snedeker
Just as some people love NASCAR or any other sport, John Replogle says his passion is sustainability.
Burt’s Bees’ all-natural products are part of the reason why Replogle joined as the company’s CEO two years ago.
“I also had the opportunity to craft a business model that I believe is going to be ... the definition of how business can and should be run in the future,” Replogle says. Replogle is a winner of the Green Awards in part because he built a sustainable model, termed “The Greater Good,” which enhances the “triple bottom line” at Burt’s Bees.
A company’s triple bottom line means improving the environmental and social performance along with its financial performance. “The Greater Good” model is made up of three pillars: Natural, environmental and humanitarian action that fuel the company’s mission. In addition to empowering an employee-led volunteer group called ECOBEES, under Replogle’s leadership, the company formulated sustainability goals to become the “greenest personal care company on earth.”
Among those goals are: eliminating carbon and waste; making certain that all its products are 100 percent natural and recycled; and using biodegradable packaging.
Replogle established the Greater Good Awards, which recognize employees who initiate ideas in each of the three pillars. Winners choose a Greater Good foundation to which the company donates $2,500.
Replogle calls this mix of a profit-seeking company with an eye on its societal impact the new compassionate capitalism that will define how businesses are run in the future. He recommends Ray Anderson’s “Mid-Course Correction” as a great book for those seeking ways to build eco-friendly businesses. Replogle obtained a bachelor’s in history from Darmouth College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Growing up in the New England area made him a fan of the outdoor life, he says. He enjoys biking, kayaking and canoeing. Prior to taking the top job at Burt’s Bees in January 2006, Replogle oversaw the skin care division at Unilever. Burt’s Bees, which was purchased by Clorox Co. in late 2007, makes more than 150 skin care products. Sales topped $250 million in 2006.
John Replogle
- Title: President and CEO
- Company: Burt’s Bees
- Age: 42
- Green tip: Going green is a lot easier than you think. There are green advocates in all of our companies; we need to simply empower them to take charge
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