Red Vines manufacturer commits to purchasing carbon offsets through conservation organization

American Licorice Co. to purchase 20,000 tons of carbon offsets through investment in California redwood forest.

A new partnership will help American Licorice Co. advance its sustainability efforts.

Through an investment in The Conservation Fund’s sustainable working redwood forests in northern California, the company, which produces Red Vines, plans to purchase 20,000 tons of verified carbon offsets to counteract carbon dioxide emissions from electricity and fuel used at its headquarters in La Porte, Ind., and offices in Union City, Calif.

“As we advance our sustainability program, we believe reducing our impact on the environment is best achieved by both reducing the amount of energy we use in the creation of our delicious candies and by investing in our shared environment through appropriate carbon offsets,” says Clarence Walsh, ALC director of community and administration.

ALC’s commitment will support conservation and restoration of The Conservation Fund’s Garcia River Forest, which spans 24,000 acres in Mendocino County, Calif. Redwood forests store more carbon per acre than any other forest type. Through sustainable forest management, the Garcia River Forest can store approximately 300,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.

“What’s especially exciting about working with The Conservation Fund is that not only are we offsetting a significant part of our carbon footprint, but we are also helping to conserve a beautiful ecosystem in northern California, just a short drive away from where our Union City family calls home,” Walsh adds.

ALC has a record of taking environmental considerations. Under its sustainability tracking program, the company collects data on energy and water use and encourages employees to carpool through incentives.

In 2015, the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council gave ALC’s La Porte facility Zero Waste Gold Status, meaning the facility’s goal is to divert 90 percent of waste from landfills. The company’s Union City office was certified in 2013.

Alyse Thompson has held many positions with BNP Media, first serving as an intern at Candy Industry Magazine in summer 2012. She joined Candy Industry's staff full time as associate editor in August 2016 after a few years at newspapers in West-Central Illinois, becoming managing editor in March 2019. Alyse has also served as managing editor of Cannabis Products Magazine since March 2019. She has bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish from Western Illinois University.