While there are many reasons we may join a company, one of the most important reasons to take a job is that it reflects your values. These 14 companies have proved themselves to hold environmental sustainability as part of their core mission. If you’re looking for a company to work that reflects your environmental ethos, you’re in luck – all of these companies are hiring!
1. REI
Rating on Glassdoor: 3.9
Why they’re environmentally friendly: REI has shown their commitment to environmental stewardship through bold sustainability initiatives and pledges. Recently, they pledged to become climate-neutral in their operations and become a zero waste-to-landfill organization, all by 2020. Just this past year, REI raised the bar for sustainable operations with the U.S.’s first LEED Platinum certified distribution center – the highest certification for green buildings awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.
What employees say: “Major commitment to environmental stewardship” – Current Employee
2. Tesla Motors
Rating on Glassdoor: 3.5
Why they’re environmentally friendly: When it comes to pioneers of environmental stewardship, Tesla is at the forefront. In the words of Elon Musk, the company’s founder and CEO, Tesla’s mission is “to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport by bringing compelling mass market electric cars to market as soon as possible.” Tesla is one of the companies leading the charge towards a renewable energy transition.
What employees say: “The mission of the company is outstanding. Everyone embraces the idea of saving the world by cleaning up the planet. We have the drive, the motivation, and the means of doing it.” – Current Mechanical Design Engineer in Palo Alto, CA
Rating on Glassdoor: 3.3
Why they’re environmentally friendly: Method is a pioneer in the creation of biodegradable, non-toxic household cleaners. They’re also a certified B Corp, which means that they’ve built social environmental and social responsibility into their legal framework and general ethos.
What employees say: “It felt great to be a part of producing and selling truly green and sustainable cleaning products.” – Former Sales Coordinator in San Francisco, CA
4. AECOM
Rating on Glassdoor: 3.2
Why they’re environmentally friendly: AECOM is one of the world’s leading environmental consultancy firms. Recently ranked as the first place green design company in the United States by Engineering News-Record, AECOM develops cutting edge solutions for environmental issues around the world.
What employees say: “Working at AECOM gives me a chance for a better future just like the many countries we work with worldwide.” – Current Western Region Director of Safety in Phoenix, AZ
5. Beyond Meat
Rating on Glassdoor: 3.4
Why they’re environmentally friendly: Beyond Meat creates vegetarian, plant-based alternatives to meat products. By using plant-based materials, they’re able to produce food products that taste like meat, but have a dramatically lower carbon footprint and overall environmental impact as compared to real meat products.
What employees say: “Competence, environmental stewards, great food product” – Current Human Resources Consultant in Columbia, MO
Rating on Glassdoor: 3.7
Why they’re environmentally friendly: Seventh Generation’s name is based on the Iroquois concept that the current generation needs to protect the environment for the seventh generation in the future. As a company, Seventh Generation produces non-toxic, environmentally-friendly cleaners, paper products, and personal care items. They’re also a certified B corporation.
What employees say: “The benefits, the mission, the workplace are all exceptional. It's great working to make the world a better place, especially in these usually-toxic product categories.” – Current Employee in Burlington, VT
7. Optoro
Rating on Glassdoor: 4.1
Why they’re environmentally friendly: Optoro is a reverse logistics platform that helps e-commerce retailers manage and resell items that have been returned or produced in excess. Using a novel software, Optoro is helping to reduce the waste and carbon footprint generated by customer returns of merchandise bought online.
What employees say: “The mission of the company is both profitable and noble. This is hard to find in a company and helps motivate me to continue working hard and wanting the company to succeed. We're finding value in unused and unwanted goods, which is good for the environment and helps both our clients and ultimate customers.” – Current Tech in Washington, DC
8. TerraCycle
Rating on Glassdoor: 4.3
Why they’re environmentally friendly: TerraCycle finds uses for conventionally difficult-to-recycle materials, collecting inputs through free recycling programs. Their quirky headquarters in Trenton, NJ show how serious their commitment to recycling is, complete with picnic table made of melted down Capri Sun pouches and old doors repurposed as desks.
What employees say: “TerraCycle is a company truly committed to sustainability.” – Former R&D Employee
Rating on Glassdoor: 3.7
Why they’re environmentally friendly: Lush Cosmetics uses 100% vegetarian and 85% vegan ingredients in their cosmetic products, which also are not tested on animals. The company is regularly outspoken on social issues, including environmental issues such as the illegal persecution of the Hen Harrier bird, and has donated millions of dollars to charity over the past decade.
What employees say: “The company has a great foundation and ethical stance when it comes to sourcing its ingredients and products.” – Former Senior Key Holder, Manager Training in Denver, CO
10. SolarCity
Rating on Glassdoor: 3.3
Why they’re environmentally friendly: SolarCity is the largest solar energy services provider in the US, and has been a major force in popularizing use of solar energy nationally. In the eyes of Lyndon Rive, the company’s CEO, the best type of jobs contain a component of environmental stewardship: “You want to find a job where you can actually have a financial reward and an environmental reward,” Rive says.
What employees say: “Progressive company on an ambitious and fulfilling mission to fight climate change.” – Current Regional Sales Director
11. Warby Parker
Rating on Glassdoor: 3.9
Why they’re environmentally friendly: A chic glasses company, Warby Parker is an unlikely CSR hero – but actually they’re a certified B corporation with a serious environmental conscience. The company is 100% carbon neutral – one of the world’s only zero carbon producing eyewear brands.
What employees say: “Warby Parker is a lifestyle brand that provides affordable eye care with a do good mission.” – Current Sales Advisor in Austin, TX
12. The Body Shop
Rating on Glassdoor: 3.1
Why they’re environmentally friendly: The Body Shop has proved itself a leader in CSR with bold initiatives that they’re committed to seeing through. Not only does The Body Shop uses only vegetarian ingredients in their beauty products, but also keeps a firm commitment to testing none of their products on animals. And they’re not complacent about staying committed to the environment – last February, they announced their “Enrich Not Exploit” initiative, that includes ensuring 100% traceable and sustainably sourced ingredients, as well as ensuring that 70% of The Body Shop’s packaging doesn’t contain fossil fuels.
What employees say: “Great company for anyone that is passionate about things like community trade, against animal testing, the environment, and also enjoys the products” – Current Customer Consultant in Ontario, CA
13. Amy’s Kitchen
Rating on Glassdoor: 3.8
Why they’re environmentally friendly: Amy’s Kitchen is a world leader in production of all-natural frozen and packaged foods. They are staunchly organic and non-GMO, and have used their sway as a large company to spread awareness about the importance of organic, healthy food.
What employees say: “A family-owned company dedicated to their purpose of making great tasting organic food available to everyone. The company really cares about the consumers, the planet and its employees.” – Current Employee
14. Patagonia
Rating on Glassdoor: 4.2
Why they’re environmentally friendly: Patagonia has been a trendsetter in environmental sustainability since its inception. In 1994, before CSR was even on the radar screen of many major companies, Patagonia decided to switch to organic cotton. Notably, the decision wasn’t made for the reduction of costs (it cost much more for the company to use organic cotton in their apparel), it was made for the reduction of impact on the environment. According to the company’s VP of Environmental Affairs, Rick Ridgeway, Patagonia aims to “integrate innovative sustainability thinking, values and goals into every employee” by emphasizing sustainability in every aspect of the business.
What employees say: “The company does live by its mission statement and if you are an environmentalist and values driven person, you'll feel good about working for Patagonia.” – Current Employee in Ventura, CA
Editor's Note: The companies and jobs highlighted in this article are curated by the editorial staff, listed in no particular order, and do not necessarily reflect the official methodology of Glassdoor’s official awards or honors. Company ratings are as of 6/2/107. For more details about how companies and specific roles are considered for editorial coverage, please visit Glassdoor for Employers.
