(Vista, California) According to the company’s website, Dr. Bronner’s was founded in 1948 by Emanuel Bronner, a third-generation master soap maker from a German-Jewish soapmaking family. He uses the (very detailed) labels on his ecological soaps to spread his message that we must realize our unity across religious and ethnic divides: “We are All-One or None.” Still family-owned and run, Dr. Bronner’s honors its founder’s vision by making socially and environmentally responsible products of the highest quality—and by dedicating profits to help make a better world.
Dr. Bronner’s is a pioneer in ethical sourcing and actively works to ensure fair wages and working conditions for the farmers and workers in their supply chains around the world. They have established direct, fair trade relationships with producers of key ingredients like coconut oil, palm oil, olive oil, cocoa, and sugar in countries like Ghana, Sri Lanka, Samoa, Palestine, Israel, India, Ecuador, Indonesia, and Brazil. Their commitment is formalized through certifications like Fair for Life.
The company has a five-to-one cap on executive salaries, meaning Dr. Bronner’s executives can’t make more than five times that of the lowest-wage, fully vested employee. Dr. Bronner’s chose to drop their B Corp certification.