Horizon Organic Sustainability Review

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Horizon Organic qZERO® Sustainability Score

2.3 / 5.0

Active Sustainability Progress *

April 6, 2025

About Horizon Organic

Headquarters: 12002 Airport Way 80021-2546 Broomfield Jefferson Colorado United States
Country: United States United States

Horizon Organic: Horizon Organic Dairy, LLC is renowned for its premium organic dairy products. Originating in 1991, the brand commits to sustainable farming, supporting local family farms, and ensuring animal welfare. Its product range includes milk, cheese, butter, and yoghurt, all free from antibiotics, added hormones, and artificial ingredients. The company is a leader in promoting eco-friendly practices and advancing the organic movement. Their products are certified organic, ensuring high quality and environmental responsibility. Horizon Organic aims to provide nutritious, delicious dairy options, making them a trusted choice for health-conscious consumers.

Horizon Organic Sustainability Rating is 2.3 out of 5.0

This means Horizon Organic are above average compared to other companies in the Meat, Poultry & Dairy.

Industry positioning

Horizon Organic
Industry average
5
4
3
2
1
0
2.3
2.4
Overall
2.2
2.9
Environmental
2.5
2.7
Social
2.5
3.5
Governance

Horizon Organic positioning within the Meat, Poultry & Dairy

Sustainability Issues in the Meat, Poultry & Dairy Industry

The Meat, Poultry & Dairy sector faces several sustainability challenges, particularly concerning environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and land use. Social issues include animal welfare and fair labour practices, while governance covers transparency, regulation adherence, and ethical management.

Comparing Horizon Organic Dairy with the Industry

Horizon Organic Dairy shows room for improvement in sustainability compared to the broader industry. It performs slightly lower in environmental, social, and governance aspects. The industry generally has better measures, especially regarding transparency and ethical governance, leading to a higher overall evaluation.

How does Horizon Organic focus on You?

Product Range

Horizon Organic, owned by Horizon Organic Dairy, LLC, offers a variety of dairy products made from organic ingredients. Their range includes:

  • Milk (whole, reduced fat, low fat, fat-free)
  • Flavoured milk (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry)
  • Yoghurt (regular and Greek)
  • Cheese (sliced, shredded, string cheese)
  • Buttermilk
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Half & half
  • Butter
  • Eggnog (seasonal)

Affordability vs Sustainability

Horizon Organic places a significant emphasis on balancing sustainability with affordability. Organic farming practices, though often more costly, ensure the production of premium quality dairy products without compromising on environmental standards. To make their products accessible, Horizon Organic incorporates a few key strategies:

  • Efficient Supply Chain Management: By streamlining their supply chain, Horizon Organic reduces overhead costs, which helps in keeping product prices competitive.
  • Local Sourcing: Using local farms for sourcing milk reduces transportation costs, contributing to lower product prices and supporting local communities.
  • Scaling Production: Large-scale production helps in reducing per-unit costs, allowing consumers to purchase organic products at more affordable rates.
  • Promotions and Discounts: Regular promotions, discounts, and loyalty programmes assist in making their products more cost-effective for regular shoppers.

While Horizon Organic products may sometimes be priced higher than conventional alternatives, the brand strives to ensure that the additional cost reflects the value of sustainability and organic quality that shoppers are increasingly prioritising.

Horizon Organic Sustainability Rating Breakdown:

Horizon Organic Overall Sustainability Rating is 2.3 out of 5.0

Horizon Organic’s Sustainability Initiatives

Horizon Organic embraces pasture-based dairying, ensuring cows have access to organic grazing, which supports environmental balance. The company integrates renewable energy, investing in reducing its carbon footprint across operations. Horizon Organic also implements animal welfare practices, adhering to organic standards that promote healthy livestock management. Commitment to sourcing from family farms highlights their drive for social sustainability by supporting rural economies. Noteworthy is their transparency in governance, offering clear insights into sustainability practices and goals. These initiatives collectively shape Horizon Organic's approach to a more sustainable future, balancing ecological responsibility with community impact.

Horizon Organic Environmental Rating is 2.2 out of 5.0

Environmental Practices of Horizon Organic Dairy, LLC

Horizon Organic demonstrates notable achievements in leveraging environmental opportunities. They possess potential in innovative practices that can contribute positively to sustainability. However, their performance in energy management highlights a significant opportunity for improvement. Greenhouse gas emissions are another area that requires attention, suggesting room for enhancement in reducing carbon footprints. Climate risk is moderately managed, indicating a balanced approach to managing potential environmental disruptions, yet there is scope for improvement. Overall, while Horizon Organic excels in pursuing new environmental initiatives, there's substantial room to advance their energy efficiency and emissions reduction strategies.

Horizon Organic Social Rating is 2.5 out of 5.0

Social Practices at Horizon Organic

Horizon Organic's social sustainability efforts present a balanced scenario with mid-range performance in key areas. The company has invested in promoting diversity and inclusion, yet there remains room for further enhancement to create a more inclusive workplace environment. Equally, in terms of supplier engagement, the company demonstrates moderate effectiveness. While they maintain a level of collaboration with suppliers, further development could enhance the impact of these relationships. Overall, Horizon Organic shows commitment to social sustainability, but targeted improvements in these areas could strengthen their overall social impact.

Horizon Organic Governance Rating is 2.5 out of 5.0

Governance Practices Summary

Horizon Organic Dairy, LLC demonstrates effective governance practices, particularly in corporate compliance behaviours, where they have established robust systems to ensure adherence to regulations and standards. Their business resilience and sustainability initiatives are solid despite room for improvement. This suggests a potential focus area for future development. The company maintains a balanced approach overall, with strong accountability measures. These practices contribute positively to their governance rating and reflect a commitment to upholding ethical business operations, ensuring transparency, and protecting shareholder interests. Continued attention to enhancing sustainability efforts could further boost their governance profile.

What makes Horizon Organic stand out in the Industry?

Horizon Organic Dairy, LLC stands out in the market due to its commitment to organic and sustainable farming. Their main unique selling proposition (USP) is the delivery of high-quality, certified organic dairy products that are free from antibiotics, growth hormones, and toxic pesticides. This dedication ensures a healthier choice for consumers and a better environment.

  • 100% Organic Certification: All Horizon Organic products meet stringent organic standards, providing peace of mind for health-conscious consumers.
  • No Artificial Ingredients: Their products contain no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives, ensuring natural goodness.
  • Animal Welfare Commitment: Horizon Organic highlights humane treatment of their cows, maintaining high standards for animal health and wellness.
  • Sustainable Practices: The brand employs environmentally friendly farming techniques to reduce their carbon footprint and support ecological balance.
  • Family-Friendly Products: From milk to cheese and yoghurt, Horizon Organic offers a wide range of products suitable for both children and adults.

By choosing Horizon Organic, customers can support sustainable agriculture while enjoying nutritious, delicious dairy products. Their dedication to organic purity and environmental responsibility makes them a trusted choice in the organic food market.

So is Horizon Organic sustainable?

Is Horizon Organic Brand Sustainable?

As consumers increasingly value sustainability, it’s important to understand how brands measure up. Horizon Organic Dairy, LLC offers an interesting perspective on this front. Their practices are balanced across environmental, social, and governance areas. While there is room for improvement, Horizon Organic is committed to integrating sustainability into its operations.

For environmentally conscious shoppers, Horizon Organic’s efforts include environmentally friendly farming practices. They engage with local communities and emphasise responsible sourcing and transparency in their supply chain, demonstrating concern for people and the planet.

Governance involves fair business practices and transparency, areas where Horizon Organic places significant emphasis, ensuring consumers can feel confident about the ethical nature of their purchases.

While no brand achieves perfect sustainability instantly, Horizon Organic continues to incorporate better practices into its company. Taking an interest in such aspects ensures you are part of the journey towards a more sustainable future. As consumers, our choices encourage brands to keep improving their sustainability efforts, positively impacting the world.

Your awareness as a shopper contributes to this ongoing change, supporting the collective move towards a healthier planet.

Horizon Organic Certifications List


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