Culture

The Wrigley Company has a rich history of 'doing well, by doing right,' a principle that is at the heart of what sustainability is all about.

Sustainability at Wrigley means driving business performance by advancing the well-being of people, and the planet, now and for future generations. For more than a century Wrigley's business results have confirmed that you can do what's right and not only succeed, but also thrive as a business. Wrigley associates are very proud to be a part of a business that has a unique family feel and nurtures the development of each individual. Its charitable ethos is to support the development of today's youth in tomorrow's leaders. Every associate gets the opportunity to take an active part in challenges to improve our local community and help organise and take part in fundraising activity.
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Community

Wrigley will continue to partner with the business, governmental and NGO organisations that will help us address important business issues like gum residue, nutrition labelling regulations, and health and wellness - issues which are important to our customers and consumers - and are important to our business as well.

Action on Gum Litter

The Wrigley Company is an industry member of the Chewing Gum Action Group, which was established in 2003 by a consortium of interested stakeholders including the chewing gum industry, Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Keep Britain Tidy, Local Government Association, Chartered Institution for Waste Management and the Food and Drink Federation.

The Chewing Gum Action Group works in partnership with selected local authorities to run outdoor advertising campaigns to educate the minority of consumers who dispose of gum inappropriately to simply put their used chewing gum in the bin. The campaigns have been very successful with some local authorities achieving reductions in gum litter by over 80%. In addition to encouraging responsible disposal of gum, the campaigns highlight the fine of up to £80 for littering chewing gum.

For more information on the Chewing Gum Action Group please visit www.chewinggumactiongroup.org.uk

HIGHLIGHT

'Bin it!' Wrigley UK's school's programme

The Bin It! Schools Programme has been designed specifically for 11-13 year olds, to make them more aware of the local environment around them such as their school, high street and local park. Developed by The Wrigley Company, in partnership with specialist education consultancy Edcoms, the programme incorporates a team of actors who visit schools to encourage greater awareness of the environment and educate young people about responsible litter disposal.

Bin It! was launched in 2006 and each year actors visit up to 50 secondary schools across five areas of the UK, helping young people develop a sense of personal responsibility and allowing them to see the impact of anti-social behaviour, such as the consequences of dropping chewing gum.

Schools are also provided with a resource pack that includes teachers' notes, resource cards, activity cards and colour posters. The resource packs are available to all secondary schools across the UK, and have been designed to be used in citizenship lessons. So far nearly 5,000 packs have been requested and schools are able to download their own at www.chewitbinit.com.

Chew It Over

In 2009, Wrigley launched a new online educational programme that helps young people across the UK to learn about the environmental and economic consequences of dropping chewing gum. 'Chew It Over' has been tailored to address the problem of gum litter amongst school children aged 14-16 years old. It helps young people think about the social and environmental issues affecting them, their family and their community, and recognise their own roles and responsibilities in addressing them.

The programme focuses on the impact and consequences of dropped chewing gum but also discusses other areas of anti-social behaviour, including bullying, vandalism and public disorder.

Chew It Over is available online, and consists of four interactive work units designed to challenge young people to form their own ideas and opinions about their personal responsibility in regards to anti-social behaviour. The website can be found at www.gumchewitover.com.

Young Scot - Scotland In Focus

In 2009 The Wrigley Company entered into a partnership with Young Scot, a Scotland-wide organisation which provides information, opportunities, and guidance to young people, helping to tackle the problem of littering in Scotland. 'Scotland in Focus' has been developed as part of the partnership, a dedicated web-based educational resource and competition, aimed at giving young people aged 14-19 years old the opportunity to make real changes to their local community. For more information go to www.scotlandinfocus.org.

CHICKS

In 2005, Wrigley UK announced its support for the charity Country Holidays for Inner City Kids (CHICKS). CHICKS is a non-political, non-denominational charity, providing free respite breaks in the West Country for children from all parts of the UK. These children are predominantly from inner cities with a background of disadvantage, abuse, living in social services care or are child carers who look after sick or disabled parents full time. They are referred by professionals such as their GP, schools, social services, churches and other children's charities. The ethos behind these breaks is to provide a loving caring environment; developing and encouraging self-esteem, wellness and diversity and in the long-term giving hope and happiness to children who have little, which is a perfect fit with the Wrigley's own ethos and charitable policy.

Wrigley UK has supported the charity not only financially by assisting with the purchase of their Moorland retreat centre and other facilities but just as importantly by the enthusiasm and dedication of associates who have been proactive and committed to helping the charity. Activity includes redecoration, the renovation of two play barns and supply of equipment. Associates have also participated in fundraising activity including sponsored sky dives, half marathons and the sale of excess office furniture. CHICKS celebrated a very important milestone in December 2007 when they offered their 5000th child a respite break at their Moorland retreat and Wrigley were able to be a part of that special day.

HIGHLIGHT

BITC Wrigley UK has a strong relationship with South West Region, Business in the Community (BITC). Through a variety of networks and by harnessing the knowledge and expertise of our associates at all levels, Wrigley is able to promote responsible business, tackle key social issues and help improve business performance.

Leading by example is at the core of being a part of Business in the Community, and Wrigley prides itself on its integrity, social responsibility and commitment to giving something back in the South West region.

Participating in Plymouth Cares challenges offers many opportunities for our associates to use their time and skills to make a difference within the local community of Plymouth - a difference that can have a positive impact for years to come.

Some of the activities associates have been involved with include helping to plant seeds in local nurseries, revamping a children's ward in a hospital, helping to develop an allotment at a local prison, and beach tidy-ups.

Communications

Going forward, the engagement of the entire Wrigley organisation in this commitment is more important than ever, because it is vital that we all are aware of the impact we have as individuals and as business leaders in this effort and that we understand how to weave sustainable practices into our everyday decision making.

Internally, education, sharing of best practices and open communication will help make sustainability second nature in our every day lives at Wrigley and ingrain it in Wrigley's business decision making. This communication will also serve as a call to action for Wrigley associates - helping to identify how we can all make a difference, whether that is by making a lifestyle choice or applying sound economic, environmental and socially responsible business practices during our business day.

What's next

We will tap into the expertise and knowledge of Wrigley associates in identifying what we can do differently and benchmark where we are now. The ideas contributed by Wrigley associates will be a part of developing Company-wide programs and fuelling education.

In addition, on-going communications that facilitate awareness, education, sharing best practices, and exchanging tips and ideas with one another will be a part of creating a Wrigley culture committed to sustainability and making it a part of our regular dialogue. Externally, Wrigley will continue to play a role in addressing issues important to the confectionery industry and our consumers including wellness, nutrition and proper disposal of consumer packaged goods and our products.

The company will also continue to actively engage in its communities across the globe through the Wrigley Foundation and local volunteer and philanthropic initiatives, including the exciting development of programming with International Youth Foundation and Conservation International.