A Toxic Free Future with Mind the Store Director Mike Schade

0:03 Have you thought about adding another couple categories like you know, they're ESG category Source. I mean you're so far, you're so close to just you. This could be like you would be like a major rating group if you had a little bit. Just another couple categories I can imagine like, what's there, you know, sustainability program look. Like, do they have a good program and play? So they meeting ESG goals. I mean, you're already dealing with chemical manufacturing. You know, Chen. You're already touching on some of those types of policies. Yeah. Have you thought it through any? Yeah. I think what I mean? You know, the way that we think about this is someone in alignment with what you were saying which is that you know, we think that chemicals management is a core tenant of any retailer or Brands sustainability or ESG program. You know, we don't think it's separate. We think that it should be an essential element of a company's sustainability program.

1:11 Welcome to the environmental transformation podcast where we talk with industry leaders, climate Champions and sustainability professionals, who are making an impact in their businesses. Today, each leader solving complex challenges and provide Solutions within the respective areas of expertise. Here's our host, Sean Grady. Hello ET Nation. I'm excited to announce that. I've updated my website. That provides listeners more access to episode content and information about the podcast. Please take a moment and visit the website and sign up for email notifications and blog postings also check out our sponsors page to see who supports the show.

1:51 We can't think these industry leaders enough. Finally, I would really appreciate if you would take a moment and post a review and rate the podcast episodes, either from my website or from within your podcast app, This helps the podcast get more exposure on Apple podcast and other podcast networks. Also please send me comments and recommendations on topics that you want to hear about. I hope you enjoy the new website so check it out at www.shawnacoronado.com. Today's guest is Mike Shad in Mike is the lead for toxic-free. Futures mind, the store program in which is challenging retailers to shift the mind, the marketplace away from hazard. Chemicals, and develop a comprehensive safer. Chemical policy.

2:37 Mike a welcome to the show. Hey, thanks so much for having me. It's really great to be here. I appreciate it. Yeah, no, I'm glad you joined. And I've been following you on LinkedIn and all the good work you're doing about trying to raise awareness of pfos and retailer products. And I thought be great opportunity to bring in the show and talk about, you know, the good things you guys are trying to do and accomplish with, you know, working with these retailers. So give us a little bit girl. A little bit of a, some background for our listeners about, you know, the mission of the toxic-free future and your role is the director for mind the store. Yeah. So tff were National Environmental Health, nonprofit, we've been around for more than 40 years, we started working in Seattle locally to protect folks, from exposure to harmful, pesticides and herbicides. And over the years, we've really expanded our mission to protect Can families, more broadly from exposure, to dangerous chemicals, that are used in consumer products, packaging and can be found throughout Global Supply chains. We work to advance policies at the state level and the federal level to more tightly regulate dangerous, chemicals, like pee, fast, and phthalates.

3:55 And we also work to advance comprehensive corporate chemical policies among the nation's leading retailers through our Our mind, the store program, which is a program that I coordinate. Additionally, we also conduct original Research into chemicals of concern and, you know, across the board. Our mission is really to protect American communities families workers from exposure to dangerous. Chemicals, that are hiding all around us, every day from food, packaging to building materials to electronics and really to prevent harm from chemicals that are linked to Cancer, another serious health problems in our communities. So essentially as consumers should be very thankful that you're helping prevent these.

4:42 He's too close from coming into our possession. That's great knowingly, right? Yeah, I mean that's, that's great. Yeah, if you think about it, you know, day in and day out, you know, you wake up, you brush your teeth, you take a shower, you wash your hair, just, you know, those acts alone, you're being exposed to chemicals unwittingly from Products like Cosmetics to shampoo, put on your clothes. You could be exposed to chemicals like pee fast and your clothing. You lay on the couch, you could be exposed to flame-retardant. So dangerous, chemicals are hiding all around us and you know, we think that businesses and policy makers really need to do a much better job of protecting our families from exposure to chemicals, that independent scientists are sounding the alarm on that. They're saying or Linked to serious health problems like cancer.

5:36 Yeah. I mean, some of these chemicals have kind of flown under the radar as far as their toxicity, the regulatory nature of them, you know, they're, you know, typically in products there is some sort of material MSDS, safety data sheet, that's associated with it. But, you know, I think there's a lot of things hiding in those that people don't understand the risks as well. So, you know, I think that's it's good that you guys are taking a look at this. And And trying to protect the consumers. Well, let's talk a little bit about minding the store and its Market transformation program. How does that work? Because I was looking on your website and it's like, okay, this looks interesting, let's talk about that. Yeah, yeah.

6:17 So you know, the fundamental idea behind the - tour program is that, you know, we think that retailers have a fundamental responsibility to ensure that the products in the packaging that they use and sell are safe and healthy not only Are we as consumers, but also for the communities and the workers where products and materials are manufactured and where they're disposed of, you know, we as consumers have little to no influence over big chemical corporations that manufacture chemicals that can be harmful for our health and environment, but we have a lot of influence over the companies that we shop at that, we spend money at an increasingly companies care.

7:03 Are what their customers think they want to know that our customers are happy. So we launched the mine. The store program about 10 years ago to challenge the nation's biggest retailers companies like Walmart Amazon Target Home Depot to leverage their Market power and influence to drive dangerous chemicals out of their products packaging and Supply chains. We think that retailers can really be a force for good in terms of protecting consumers and communities. Is from chemicals in the products that they sell most retailers. Don't want to sell products that contain chemicals, that can be harmful to their customers or that can pose business risks to them as busy as a company.

7:46 Great, right? So, you know, right before we jumped on this call, you kind of had some really great news. They came through today which I'm imagining is kind of related to this Market transformation program that you working with retailers trying to encourage urge them to eliminate, you know, the use of or selling products that have these types of dangerous chemicals on it talk, can you share with the listeners, this new information that you've just, you know, release their eggs? Came out today. Yeah, breaking news. So, you know, through our mind, the store program, you know, we focus on different chemicals. Chemicals that are viewed to be as most hazardous and persistent from a public health and environmental perspective.

8:29 So for a number of years, we've been campaigning calling on retailers to Reduce and eliminate he fast. Chemicals. The forever chemicals which are commonly found in products, like food, packaging and clothing and furniture extremely persistent, toxic chemicals, that can be dangerous at low levels of exposure. So over the last year and a half, we've been running a national campaign, calling an REI, the nation's preeminent Outdoor Retailer. REI is different than many other companies or a co-op. They have millions and millions of members and we've been working. NG with REI customers and members and environmental health groups from around the country, over the last year and a half the call, an REI to take a leadership position on this issue to phase out and then pee fast.

9:14 And just yesterday actually late yesterday, REI announced a new policy, they're committing to Banning pee fast in all of the textiles that they sell over the next couple of years, which is a huge win for our campaign and huge win for consumers. Nationwide as a company. That is a real leader in the outdoor industry. This is going to have a massive impact and driving ethos chemicals out of products, like raincoats and hiking pants and other textiles that they stream. Absolutely, I mean congratulations to your efforts. Also obviously congratulations to REI for taking a stand in the industry. You know.

9:57 They're typically viewed as an environmentally friendly conscious conservation. Rand for the outdoors. And it sounds like they're putting their money where their mouth is. Yeah. And doing that. I mean, they're that's awesome. Yeah. Yeah, it took you know it took a fair amount of encouragement and an advocacy. I will say I mean we first reached out to REI on this issue year and a half ago in September of September 20 21 and unfortunately it took year and a half for the company to get to this. Point. But we're really excited with the result, you know, over the last year, over 150,000, REI members and customers have signed petitions urging them to act.

10:43 So it took a fair amount of nudging. But the good news is, REI is really taking a leadership position, joining other companies in the outdoor industry by announcing this new commitment to phase out, the FAFSA in the outdoor apparel and textiles that they sell and also cookware, which is interesting which wasn't something that we were. Focusing on so much in our advocacy and communication. So we're really excited and we hope that other major retailers also join REI to take action. We're now turning our attention can think of a few big names that, you know, companies that are in this same Market as, you know, REI so, yeah, I mean, and they're super, I think ones in Maine, so they're super friendly to the environment as well.

11:31 So let's see if they will jump. Onto the bandwagon here and start to do it, you know. Take the same state. Same stance, that's great. Yeah. Yeah. We hope so. I mean. Okay. So this Market transformation program, it gets started, but you guys publish as part of this program, a retailer report card. Let's talk about that because I was going on your website and for those listening, it's a toxic free future dot-org and you can, you can peruse the website and really kind of look at all. All the stores that they've actually graded, which I thought was fascinating and I really thought this was really great. So talk about this report card. How it works, how you guys evaluate you know, these these retailers and a little bit. That'd be great.

12:15 Yeah, so we've been putting out the retail report card for gosh, over 5 years. Now the report was first published back in 2016 and we steadily expanded over time. And essentially we look at which retailers are In which retailers are lagging when it comes to addressing, harmful chemicals, and their products, packaging and Supply chains, we grade companies on publicly available information, looking at questions, like do they have a chemical policy? Do they have a list of chemicals that they restrict how they made progress in reducing harmful chemicals? And so, we grade companies across a range of criteria. We share the grades with them in advance, before we put out a report, giving them an opportunity to respond to say, hey, look, we're doing this or we're doing In that or actually we're not doing so well but we're going to improve in over the last number of years. We've seen how this report card could be utilized to drive improvements in the retail sector. Today's podcast is sponsored by Cascade environmental. The only Field Services contractor with the experts and equipment to support you from Project conception to completion.

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14:16 I mean, the, the big names and the logos that are on this. So report card that you can, you know, select and you're just like, hey, let me, let me see how these companies do and you grade them. You know, they're graded from may be basically an ABCD and an F score, right? You know, simple easy-to-understand, you know, grading process. And I'd like the trend analysis that you show as well. Like, you know, the company's last year where this and they either. Stayed the same or they drop down or they improved. And so I really think that was really great, you know, showing that and then what I felt was really great, was the fact that you had the different areas that you're evaluating, you know, from policy from accountability, from disco disclosure from their transparency, the chemical footprint, all those things then you had a little bit of some extra credit, which was nice.

15:13 Yeah. So, you know, We've identified what we view, as kind of what are the what are the best practices in terms of companies developing and implementing safer chemical policies, to reduce their toxic chemical footprint? And so we've developed these criteria and then we grade the retailers across these about a dozen key Criterion. And then we award a certain number of points and then a letter grade for how companies are evaluated. We've really I seen that this can really encourage companies to improve, right? No one wants to get a letter grade of f or a DVD or even a c for that matter. And we've seen over the over the years that by publicly evaluating the retailers and Grading them through this report, it's really helping to drive improvements. For example, the first year we put it out, we evaluated 11 companies, the average grade across the board in 2016 was a D+, five years later.

16:10 In our most recent assessment, they improved from a deep Us to a b -, which was a huge jump for these companies. And these are certain companies companies like Walmart and Target that really can play an important role in reducing chemicals of concern, in their supply chain. I really enjoyed. When I read through it, you know, the explanations that you guys wrote about your assessment of the company and what you found, you know, giving a little more context to why you actually provided the score. And the grade you gave them I thought that was pretty important because I'm curious. How have the Retailer's responded to these report cards that you send out to them?

16:53 Yeah, you know, you know, generally, I would say, the responses have been relatively positive, for many companies, they've seen it as almost like a gap analysis of. You know, what are they doing? Well, and where were the areas in, which they can improve in the, in the year and the years ahead and it really gives them Insights into how their competitors are behaving in this regard and where they could make improvements to further improve consumer product safety, and improve the chemical sustainability of products and packaging that they sell. And we've seen since we first started grading companies that many companies have taken significant action. So, for example, when we first created companies, like Amazon, and Rite Aid and Sephora, all three of those companies Them had a corporate chemical policy in place. Since we started evaluating all three of them have developed corporate chemical policies.

17:50 They've developed list of chemicals or working to restrict reduce or eliminate and they've all made pretty substantive progress in reducing their chemical footprint. Which has been really exciting. So it's going to really powerful tool to not only encourage retailers to improve, but also share information with investors and consumers and members of the media, On which retailers are leading and which retailers are lagging when it comes to addressing chemicals of concern in their products and packaging. Yeah, I mean you look through this and you go through this list of, you know, there's been a lot of information around like McDonald's lately. You know, you know what I think they I guess some concerns about their packaging of you know the food right though, they haven't really well. They did increase a little bit from last year too. Well into 2021 they went from the so fix that the improved a little bit you know then you go and you look at some of these other ones.

18:53 Yeah yeah I mean you know some companies are you know scoring better than others, you know McDonald's prior to our previous assessment actually had an even lower grade. But since we put out the last scorecard, McDonald's to their credit, actually announced that they're phasing out embedding pee fast chemicals and their food. Packaging globally by 2025, which was a huge commitment. I mean, McDonald's is, you know, one of the biggest fast food chains in the world. And so that is having a really important and significant impact in reducing the presence of P fast chemicals in food packaging. So even though they didn't score greatly in our last assessment, I think we're actually working on the 2023 version of the report card right now as we speak and I think McDonald's, they're great will actually likely go As a result of their progress on PBS, I spent a couple months last year in Europe and you know, visited several McDonald's.

19:52 Okay. What I noticed the difference between there and here in the US was that their their food packaging is a lot more eco-friendly. Not as much Plastics. They're really making an impact. I think you're taking it than in the initiative in Europe right now more. So I think than I I've seen here in the US, you don't even get straws with your cups of, you know, Coke. When you order it in at least in the in the store and they they just they have the like little sippy cup lids on it. Now where I was just a whole and kind of like think. So like you would find it like a Starbucks cup whole you know they're changing the way they're doing, it seems like there's some good progress happening it just you know, the needs. We deployed across their entire franchise network switch. That's got to be a pretty big challenge. There's like, how many hundreds of thousands of McDonald's are there in the world?

20:52 I mean, it's a big situation to Supply, right? Yeah, I mean, it's like turning around and giant cockroach anchor in a small Canal, it's not an easy feat by any means, but yeah, I mean they deserve credit and you know, we're actually seeing a growing Trend among major food retailers, it's not just McDonald's and recent years. Other major, Fast food and fast, casual chains, like Starbucks and Burger King have also announced policies to phase out and behnke fast chemicals in food packaging. In fact, since we started focusing on P fast and food packaging, we've won commitments from over 20, major food. Retailers who have adopted corporate commitments to phasing out and restricting PDFs? Which were really excited about.

21:38 And we're now working to leverage this policy momentum that were achieving In the marketplace as well as the states to encourage Congress. Now, to finish the job, we actually have bipartisan legislation introduced last year that would ban Ki fast and food packaging. It didn't quite make it to the finish line, but we're hopeful that in this yard. Yeah, we're hopeful that this year. We got really, really close. It was rumor stations there. Now right, it's in my impersonation of the are absolutely. So we're hopeful that we can bring that to the Finish Line in the year ahead. And you know one of the things we've Scene with the with this campaign is that as we win more commitments and encourage companies to improve that can really help build momentum for common-sense policies at the state and the federal level to protect communities and consumers from harmful chemicals.

22:30 And that intersection between corporate policy and governmental policy is kind of core to our campaign and core to our theory of change. Yeah, I can imagine yeah I can see that. I can that Deli totally, you know. Make sense. Hey have you been looking to skill up and become a certified sustainability? Professional. I've had been wondering where to start. Well, the center for sustainability and Excellence offers in person and online certified professional development programs on topics such as sustainability and corporate responsibility, sustainable development and circular economy and Global reporting initiative, standards.

23:10 If you want to maximize your company's, Packed and become qualified with the latest knowledge in the field. Check out cse's website for more information on courses and cost to become a certified sustainability. Professional at www.csiro.au. Net dot org. That's www.csiro.au net dot org. No one company that. I mean I'm looking at Apple. Like I mean they're a plus. These guys. The you know they look like they really have. Really put their, their commitments into play and to practice, you know. Yeah, Nepal is an interesting company like, you know, 20 years ago, or maybe it was about 15 years ago, some nonprofit organizations. Like, Greenpeace ran a campaign calling on Apple to Green up its supply chain.

24:05 And since then they deserve, a lot of credit, Apple has actually shown real leadership in. Not only reducing and eliminating, Eating chemicals and materials of concern. For example, they've shown leadership, there were one of the first, big Electronics Brands to remove PVC plastic from their materials. There were one of the first to get out of brominated, flame, retardants, but they've really gone a lot further than many other brands and retailers by one requiring full material disclosure. So really working with suppliers to understand what's actually in the things that they Lies on their supply chain and then also to their credit, not only, you know, making real progress around disclosure and transparency in phasing out chemicals and materials of concern. But also working to ensure that substitutes are safer using tools.

25:02 Like the green screen for safer chemicals to evaluate the hazards of alternative. So yeah, apple is the top-scoring company in our scorecard and they've been one of of the top scoring companies ever since we have included them and their policies and practices can really I think serve as a model for other retailers. In terms of, how do you address chemicals of concern in your products packaging and Global Supply chains? And I think they're also do a really good job of, you know, you know, managing their byproducts to and, and how they, you know, recycle things or, you know, try to be more sustainable as a company. So, I think they're really dry. Bring into those which kind of a kind of leads me to another question around your report card. You really talk about the chemical footprint and how environmentally impactful that is or how they manage. That is a business.

25:55 And there's so many great, you know, areas you're actually uncut, you know, discovering or, you know, reviewing. But man, have you thought about adding another couple categories like, you know, their ESG cat? Cory Source, I mean, you're so far, you're so close to just you. This could be like you would be like a major rating group if you had a little bit. Just another couple categories I can imagine like, what's there, you know, sustainability program look. Like, do they have a good program in place? Are they meeting ESG goals? I mean, you're already dealing with chemical manufacturing.

26:35 You know. Chan, you're already touching on some of those types of policies. Yeah. Have you thought it through any? Yeah. I think what I mean. Way that we think about this is someone in alignment with what you were saying which is that, you know, we think that chemicals management is a core tenant of any retailer or Brands sustainability or ESG program. You know, we don't think it's separate. We think that it should be an essential element of a company sustainability program. You know, 20 years ago. I think, when most companies thought about sustainability, they thought about, you know, reducing waste or just recycling or recycling, right? Right. Yeah, but, you know, in today's world growing sustainability trend is that the chemicals management is growing ESG topic.

27:23 That is core and essential to any company's sustainability program and we are actively thinking right now, about how we can improve and expand the next iteration of the scorecard criteria. And we're actually going to be releasing the next version of the criteria in about the next month or so. So, so Senator should you know go to our website retailer report, card.com or toxic-free future dot-org sign up for our email list and we'll be sharing information about the next iteration of our criteria. I think a lot of your listeners would be interested to see how we've how we're improving and expanding the criteria to drive further improvements among these major retailers.

28:05 Yeah, you know I mean a lot of investors are looking to get this type of information their hands before they decide I want to buy, you know. Chairs into a firm, right? And sometimes this information is not easy to get a hold of and for the layperson it's like it's really challenging and to be able to walk, you know, to be able to go onto your website, click on one of these, you know, logos and have some criteria. That's, you know, been vetted. It's, you know, it's got some good, you know, rigor behind it. I just think, you know, having like an ESG functional component, do they have a good, you know, zero waste policy, I mean stuff like that. That would be Huge to benefit to to the addition of the port card, least, from my perspective.

28:48 And who am I? I've just the host here so. Yeah as yeah. Well, I'm glad you mentioned investors because you know, that is definitely something we've heard from many investors in recent years from faith-based that, you know, faith-based investors to socially responsible investors to even more mainstream investors. You know, they're looking for this. Type of information about how companies compare and contrast around major sustainability challenges like chemicals management. We also hear from consumers and that's one of the reasons why I will often put this information out every for four out of five years.

29:29 We've published this. We put it out in November in advance of the holiday shopping season so that when consumers are shopping for their loved ones and their family and the friends, they can make more informed decisions about Things that they may want to support based on how they rank inter annual retail reports. That's great. I mean, you know, if you guys start getting more of that information out in the market posting on LinkedIn, I mean like myself and others, you know, I'll reshare and, you know, and and get that out there, so that's fantastic. And we can maybe come back and have a separate follow up. Just to see what's new like that. Could be other good conversation, right? So yeah I would love to do that. Yeah.

30:10 We should be putting out the next Version of it. We don't have the exact date yet but we're aiming to put it out by the end of the year, most likely, an early to mid November. So yeah, let's definitely plan for that. And once the next iteration of it is out let's definitely set up another meeting and podcast interview because I'd love to share kind of what's changed, what's new? Which companies are now leading which companies are lagging years passed. Some companies haven't done so well Landing themselves in the toxic Hall of Shame. Oh, that's some of those companies will no longer be in the toxic Hall of Shame. There were 12 of them last, go around 12 out of 50. So it'll be interesting to see who is actually made meaningful improvements since the last go-around.

30:56 Well, they are, they get like some sort of a ward for you're making notes. Major improvements like, hey, yeah, let's get him some encouragement here, right? Yeah. Well, actually in the, if you, you know, if you kind of poke around in the report card, you'll see we have analysis on, who are the leaders and who are the laggards. And one of the things we've done in the past, is to highlight who are the most improved retailers either since the last iteration of the scorecard or since we first started scoring them. So, for example, since we first started scoring retailers, since 2016 Sephora who I mentioned before, they are the most improved retailer. Since we first started grading them back in 2017.

31:37 When we first started grading them, they earn daddy, which isn't so good. And that was in 2017. Four years later. In 2021 they earned actually one of our top marks bumping up to an A. So Sephora is a really great example of a company that in the beginning wasn't really doing so well. Sadly, but over the years have really made great strides in developing a policy creating the internal infrastructure to implement it and working with their suppliers to drive sustainability improvements. They've recently Just this past year reported some really impressive metrics in working with their suppliers to reduce chemicals of concern and also to help investigate information investigate and identify Alternatives so that they're not only saying to their suppliers.

32:29 Hey, here are some bad actor, chemicals that, we'd like you to work to reduce or eliminate. But here's information about Alternatives that can help you sell more safer, more sustainable products. So yeah. This year, we should again be identifying the most improved retailers and and that's something that we like to do with the report card it. You know it's not just about highlighting those that aren't doing well but we really like to give kudos and credit to companies that are showing real leadership when it comes to addressing chemicals of concern in their supply chain. Dan oh that's fantastic. What is it like Mike? You know working with some of these industry leaders when you want to try to sit down with them or do you get the opportunity actually They invite you in and hey, tell us what you guys are actually doing and how we can improve. I mean, do you get to that level of conversations with some of these industries?

33:22 Oh yeah, absolutely. I mean, we we meet with retailers on a weekly basis, not all the Retailer's, but you know, we're meeting with different retailers on a regular basis to, you know, share information with them on. You know, what are chemicals of concern that need to be on the radar? What alternatives are out there? How are other Retailers how we're competitors addressing these issues. What does the science say around some of these chemicals. And then also you know what is what are the trends in the policy Arena? Because for many companies they will want to get out in front of and get out ahead of the regulatory curve, right? They're going to, they don't want to have to scramble if some state or some government is all of a sudden proposing restrictions or regulations on them.

34:08 So many companies, see the benefit in understanding, okay, here's what's coming down the Fine. Here's what's important to ngos and the scientific community and this is really where we need to be leaning into in the years ahead to get out in front of these regulatory risks that we may soon face. If we don't manage our chemical footprint, this episode is sponsored by piece. People have been saying science to protect our environment and improve our health. Pace provides an unmatched depth and breadth of testing. NG and analytical capabilities along with Professional Services for your in-house lab needs, they have the expertise capacity and delivery infrastructure to provide the certified results you require when and where you need them with over 40 years of innovation, more than 500 certifications and accreditations paces.

35:00 Serving customers through over 100 lab and Service Center locations with mobile lab on site and emergency response service options available at PACE. They honor their commitments. So you can honor Yours the next time. You are presented with an environmental testing and analytical needs turn to Pace to learn more, go to www.petland.com. That's www.petland.com. That's great to hear the. So they're fairly receptive to have inviting you in and, you know, getting a better understanding of what you guys are trying to accomplish with your campaigns. And your, I mean, I'm assuming you provided you, you're providing them resources, like some alternatives to chemicals, but are there other things you're helping them with like policy documentation that they made because sometimes Kemp companies just they're not there yet.

35:51 They don't really have like a full fledge program that's you know, that they need to have. Do they do you? Have resources for them at that level. Absolutely. I mean we've worked with a number of major retailers to help them craft a corporate chemical policy. Work with them to develop initial list of chemicals of concern work with them to set. Clear quantifiable goals with metrics to reduce chemicals of concern and share with them resources, on information on how other Brands are retailers have tackled similar challenges sharing information with them on alternatives to chemicals of concern safer Alternatives that they can transition to by working with their suppliers. So we do try to be solutions-oriented and our engagement with retailers and I think that that has really paid off really well.

36:48 You know, since we've launched our program back in 2013, over the last 10 years, you know, when we first launched this program, Most major retailers here in the US, we were engaging didn't have chemical policies. Most of them didn't had list of chemicals at the restricting. We're doing little to nothing on these issues and over the last 10 years we've seen Trends transfer transformative change in the retail sector. I mean today, it's becoming increasingly mainstream for companies to have corporate chemical management programs in place, not just that are focused on Regulatory Compliance but getting out ahead of Regulatory Compliance. Science developing comprehensive chemical policies because we often companies will recognize that sadly the federal government has not done enough to regulate harmful chemicals like pee fast and retailers. See the need for them to do a better job to safeguard their customers because their customers, you know, moms and dads Across America are asking them. Hey you know does this shampoo contain phthalates does this food packaging contain pee fast?

37:55 Does you know it does this TV that I buy Dying in my home contain toxic flame. Retardants, they're being asked these questions from their customers so retailers, really see the value that an organization like ourselves can provide and providing guidance for them on the path to improving and addressing their chemical footprint. So so you kind of leads me to this next question. What are you doing anything with, you know, government agencies to shape legislation right now? I mean, yeah, I think that space, you're Absolutely. So you know, we work you know we have offices around the country, I'm based in New York where we have offices in Washington, d.c.

38:37 Washington State, sadly changed at the federal level is slow. I mean, we actually got National legislation passed in 2016 under when President Obama was still president and that was a reform of the toxic substances Control Act Tosca, which is the preeminent law. That regulates chemicals in Commerce. So that was a major piece of legislation we won. Frankly EPA has been much slower than we would like in terms of implementing it, but we are working to encourage EPA to do as much as they can to implement that law as Congress had intended.

39:18 But we also think that we can make even greater and more transformative change in the marketplace and also in states. So, in the Stateside in Washington State Were based Washington. State has really been a leader in terms of developing and passing laws that do a much better job of protecting American families and consumers from exposure to dangerous chemicals like pee fast. I mean we've had a lot of success in Washington state over the last 40 years since we've been founded to pass, meaningful legislation, common-sense legislation, protect folks from harmful chemicals. Like Be fast for example.

39:59 Yeah. Washington's been always kind of wanted more Progressive States in that regard. So that's good to know. Let's talk a little bit about some of the partners that you work with to support the mission. And how important are they to you guys? And one comes to mind because I had 11 previous guest on the show. That's I think that was been on your, your, your website Emily Donovan with KLM care. So, tell me a little bit how Partners like that. And nonprofits that are partnering with. Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm glad you asked me about that. That's a great question. You know, I think we're unique from some other organizations and that we work. Very collaboratively and in Coalition, with many organizations, around the country, we work collaboratively with communities, that are directly impacted by chemicals production and Disposal, so Emily and Donovan and her organization. Clean Cape, Fear has been a great partner. We worked with her, for example.

40:57 Ilan, the pee fast campaign. I mentioned to get companies like REI and McDonald's to Ben. He fasts. We work with not just Community Based organizations, but we also work with many state based organizations and states to enact similar policies, two hours like we do in Washington state. So, working with States groups and States like California and New York and Maine Massachusetts. Michigan and others Minnesota Rhode Island too, To work on similar legislation because we find that if we can get multiple states to pass the same or similar legislation that can help lift, all boats. And then, we also work in partnership with other National organizations, especially on our mind, the store campaign.

41:42 So, for example, with this REI campaign I mentioned earlier, for example, we worked with groups like nrdc and consumer reports and breast cancer, prevention Partners to encourage REI to take a leadership position. So we really value the Partnerships that we have with other nonprofit organizations. And if you go to our website toxic-free, future dot-org, you can see a list of other organizations that we work closely with to advance our mission to protect public health and the environment. Now that's great. That's really good. Well, you know, Mike, I think, you know, the mission you guys are on to bring more awareness to toxic chemicals and products that are inconsistent. More products for, you know, to try to help eliminate that and for the use of them, for the consumers who don't know that they're there, I think this is a great Mission. Really appreciate what you guys are doing, you know, a toxic free future and what you're doing with mine the store and this this this program of, you know, the retailer report card. I really, really love that.

42:50 I think you know you're doing a fantastic job with that. Keep up the great work. I'm excited to see what the new report cards. Go. Uh look like when it comes out and mark your calendars for November. Yeah, maybe maybe the weeks you'd have, maybe there's going to be a kind of a party for the new, the new, the people who have really made a turn for the better, right? And I need to give award or something, I don't know, you know, just yeah that's a great idea. Now that gives me things to think about for sure. Yeah you know like hey toxic-free future mind, the stores, you know best improved retailer Award of the year or something. Here, you know, I guess that could be a really fun thing for people to receive and just be acknowledged.

43:34 They got something. They did some great talent. Yeah. I like I like your thinking, we're definitely gonna put that to some thought for sure. Well, let me, let me, let's, let's do this. How can people get involved? If they want to get involved to help support? You know, mind the store, toxic-free future, what can they do? Yeah, the best thing you can do is to visit our websites toxic-free future dot org and Taylor report. Card.com simple thing you can do is to sign up for our email list. You stay in touch, we send out a regular email with information about how you can get involved to safeguard American communities from exposure to dangerous chemicals. Another thing you could do is to share the retailer report card with your friends and family on social media channels, like Facebook or Instagram, Twitter, or whatever one that you're on. That's a really great way to spread the word. So one go to our website sign up for our email list and to share the retail report card with your friends and family, that'll be a great way that we can help encourage retailers to be more responsible and help to continue to drive chemicals of concern out of products and help transform the marketplace to say, fear safer and healthier future for tomorrow, I get to get two more By from the the retailers that are really, you know, have good scores on your report card, right? Yes.

44:57 Because they're making, you know, support them and then to you can share this podcast interview when it gets out to all your friends as well, so we can get the message out to more people. I think, that'd be great. Absolutely, those are great suggestions. Well my K is really great to have you on the show. Looking forward to getting this out to the to the, the ET nation and to all the potential new listeners and And looking forward to you sharing it with your network as well. And thanks for coming on the show today. Great. Thanks for having me. All right. I want to thank Our Guest, Mike shed for coming on to the show today.

45:39 If you have questions about toxic-free future or find the store, you can connect with him through Linkedin or visit. Their website at www.toptestprep.com will also put a link to his contact information on my website to listen to Future environmental transformation podcast. You can check us out on all the major podcast networks or from my website at Okay, great e.com. Also remember, don't forget to hit the follow button and if you would write us a review, we would really appreciate it. Also, if you're watching on YouTube, please subscribe to my channel as well. Thanks for listening until next time, make a positive impact in someone's life today.