Many well-known companies, such as Starbucks, Subway, and 7-Eleven landed a spot on the “Toxic Hall of Fame” list this year. This means that these companies failed to publicly address that there may be toxic chemicals in the products they sell to consumers. Companies can improve their rating on the list by earning points. Each company receives a draft score months before the list is published in case they have taken steps to improve their chemical processes without making a public announcement. Many companies who did poorly refused to comment on their score.
There are many companies who are improving, as well. Over 70% of the retailers on this list have improved their scores since last year. Apple and Target both repeadedly received excellent scores. Additionally, many large retailers such as Walmart and McDonalds have taken strides to eliminate harmful chemicals from food packaging, resulting in change for over 65,000 stores.
Research has shown us that beauty products marketed to women of color have higher levels of toxic chemicals in them, and these chemicals are more present in women who use them. Target and Rite Aid both announced that they would be mindful of the chemicals that are present in the products they sell. It is the growing mindfulness of the state and the public which have helped drive this change, as new state restrictions have motivated retailers to change their chemical footprint.
