Lawrence, MA (April 16, 2024) - Gemline®, the 5th largest hard goods supplier in the promotional products industry and an industry leader in corporate social responsibility, proudly unveils its 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report. Through its Betterway™ framework for social responsibility, Gemline continues to demonstrate and accelerate its unwavering commitment to making a meaningful difference and positively impacting people, the planet and products.

Gemline’s purpose, We Promote CommunityTM, drives everything they do, and is the cornerstone of the organization’s identity. As Gemline continues its relentless pursuit of CSR innovation and leadership, their 2023 achievements underscore the tangible impacts of their efforts.

2023 CSR Highlights:

People

·        Charitable Donations: In 2023, Gemline increased its giving by 31%, donating over $973,000 USD in cash and in-kind donations to both national and local charitable causes. Nationally, Gemline joined forces with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a youth organization dedicated to providing safe places for millions of young people and One Tree Planted, a nonprofit dedicated to reforestation to plant 37,850 trees in North America. Locally, the company’s focus continued to be on health and wellness programs, housing and human welfare programs, and leadership activities in their local community of Lawrence, MA, a major gateway city in New England. Gemline is a proud supporter of the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, Elevate New England, One Family, and Junior Achievement, to name a few.

Planet

·        Carbon Footprint Offsetting: Gemline took proactive measures to offset Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions (Greenhouse Gases) in 2023 by partnering with One Tree Planted. This initiative was divided between two distinguished projects in the United States, each accredited by the Climate Action Reserve. Noles Farm in North Carolina and Pungo River in South Carolina are Avoided Forest Conversion projects, protecting acres of forest from human development. Through Gemline’s support, 1,026 acres at Noles Farm and 704 acres at Pungo River, have been conserved for generations to come.

Product

·        PVC-Free Initiatives: Gemline reaffirmed its commitment to offering responsible products free from harmful chemicals by significantly reducing PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) content in its product line. PVC, known for its hazardous production process and minimal recyclability, poses serious human safety and environmental risks. Gemline aims to achieve a 100% PVC-free product line by the end of 2025, and has made noteworthy progress to date, with a remarkable 94% of its products already considered PVC-free as of the end of 2023.

·        Aware™ Textile Traceability Technology Integration: Gemline partnered with Aware™, pioneering hybrid traceability technology, to ensure the authenticity of sustainable materials throughout the production process. As the first US company to collaborate with Aware™, Gemline set new industry standards with products like the MiiR® Olympus 2.0 collection, integrating recycled materials with Aware™ textile traceability technology. In early 2024, Gemline launched an attractive line of recycled cotton products containing Aware technology, most of which are competitively priced between $2.50 - $10.00 USD.

·        Eco-Conscious Product Solutions: Gemline continued to expand its range of eco-conscious products, with 48% of all new products introduced in 2023 qualifying for eco-conscious status. By incorporating recycled materials, recyclable materials, renewable materials, and alternatives to single-use plastics, Gemline remains committed to expanding its eco footprint in 2024 with the launch of many more eco-conscious product solutions.

Frank Carpenito, President and CEO of Gemline, expressed his pride in the company's achievements, "At Gemline, we believe in the power of responsible and progressive business practices to create positive change. Our commitment to corporate social responsibility runs deep, and we are thrilled to see the tangible results of our efforts reflected in our fourth annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report. As we continue to lead amongst our peer group in this area, we remain dedicated to driving meaningful progress towards a more sustainable future for all."

To view Gemline’s 2023 BetterwayTM Corporate Social Responsibility Report, please visit Corporate Social Responsibility (gemline.com).

About Gemline

Founded in 1958, Gemline is an award-winning, design-centric supplier dedicated to supporting all types of communities by providing high-quality branded products to the promotional products industry. Exemplified in our purpose statement of 'We Promote Community,' Gemline prioritizes building connections in everything we do.

Ranked as the 12th largest industry supplier and 5th largest hard goods supplier by the Advertising Specialty Institute, Gemline offers a diverse range of gourmet food and lifestyle gifts, electronics, bags, coolers, drinkware, stationery and writing instruments. In addition to its strong portfolio of house brands and Gemline-branded products, our product lineup includes renowned retail brands such as Anker, CORKCICLE®, Cuisinart®, Igloo®, MiiR®, New Balance®, Osprey®, Moleskine®, Samsonite®, Sharpie® and more.

Gemline is committed to making a positive impact both locally and globally. To learn more about Gemline, visit www.gemline.com or call 1-800-800-3200. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.