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How sustainable is Dole ?

Dole & sustainability


Dole

3 out of 16

Sustainability summary

Brand owner: Dole Food Company, Inc
Head office: Westlake Village, California, USA
Sector: Bananas & Pineapple
Categories : Bananas, Pineapples
Free Tags: Fruit, Juice, Fresh Snack

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Dole sustainability score report

Last edited: 2 March 2013 by Mario
Last reviewed: 2 March 2013 by Mario

Questions about Climate Change/ Carbon Emissions

1 out of 5
1. Is there a policy for the brand to minimize, reduce or compensate carbon emissions? Dole has taken several policy measures to reduce carbon emissions, such as reduced fertilizer use, railroad transport and fuel conservation (see link). Source
2. Has the brand (company) disclosed the annual carbon footprint of its 'own operations'? Dole publishes its carbon footprint, but does not mention the concrete numbers of its footprint (only the percentages and carbon footprint per tonne of bananas). Source
3. Has the brand (company) already reduced or compensated the carbon footprint of its own operations by at least 10% in the last 5 years? See remark climate change policy question 2. Source
4. Has the brand (company) set a target to reduce the carbon footprint of its 'own operations' by at least 20% within the next 5 years? Dole mentions that the Government of Costa Rica wants to attain carbon neutrality by 2021 and Dole "actively supports" this commitment. However, no concrete goals are provided. Sustainability information should be easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices. Source
5. Does the brand (company) also have a policy to reduce/compensate carbon emissions generated from the product supply chain that is beyond own operations? Dole has calculated its Scope 3 (supplier chain) carbon emissions, but does not mention concrete numbers (only percentages) and does not mention any clear objectives or policies to reduce the carbon emissions generated from the supply chain. Source

Questions about Environmental Policy

1 out of 5
1.  Does the brand purchase its tropical fruit from environmentally certified sources that include standards on eg water usage during processing, banning or reducing of chemicals and pesticides, preserving biodiversity and stopping deforestation? Dole has banana’s and pineapples in its assortment that come from environmentally certified sources (Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, Global GAP), but does not specify the purchased numbers of certified fruit. Source
2. Does the brand purchase at least 25% of its tropical fruit from environmentally certified sources which include standards on eg water usage during processing, banning or reduce chemicals and pesticides, preserving biodiversity and stopping deforestation? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
3. Does the brand purchase at least 50% of its tropical fruit from environmentally certified sources which include standards on eg water usage during processing, banning or reduce chemicals and pesticides, preserving biodiversity and stopping deforestation? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
4. Does the brand purchase 100% of its tropical fruit from environmentally certified sources which include standards on eg water usage during processing, banning or reduce chemicals and pesticides, preserving biodiversity and stopping deforestation? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
5. Does the brand have clear objectives to reduce the weight, or increase the sustainability of its consumer packaging and does the brand annually report on these results? Dole tries to avoid overusing of packaging materials, uses “Reuse or Recycle” policy when possible and utilizes biodegradable materials for its packaging "as they become available". But no concrete goals or data is provided. Sustainability information should be easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices. Source

Questions about Labour Conditions/ Fair Trade

1 out of 6
1. Is there a social certification (concerning eg child labor, forced labor, living wage, working hours and freedom of association) for the purchased tropical fruit? Dole has banana’s and pineapples in its assortment that come from socially certified sources (Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, Global GAP), but does not specify the purchased numbers of certified fruit. Source
2. Is there a social certification (concerning eg child labor, forced labor, living wage, working hours and freedom of association) for at least 25% of its tropical fruit? See remark for labor conditions question 1. Source
3. Is there a social certification (concerning eg child labor, forced labor, living wage, working hours and freedom of association) for at least 50% of its tropical fruit? See remark for labor conditions question 1. Source
4. Is there a social certification (concerning eg child labor, forced labor, living wage, working hours and freedom of association) for at least 75% of its tropical fruit? See remark for labor conditions question 1. Source
5. Is there a social certification (concerning eg child labor, forced labor, living wage, working hours and freedom of association) for 100% of its tropical fruit? See remark for labor conditions question 1. Source
6. Does the brand (company) have a published list of direct suppliers, that have collectively contributed to more than 90% of the purchase volume? Dole does not provide a significant list of direct suppliers on its website. Sustainability information should be easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices. Source