Engineers, scientists, analysts and product experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute rigorously test thousands of consumer products each year and reach 58 million readers every month with evidence-based information to help them make the best decisions for their families. Our Sustainable Innovation Awards began as Sustainable Packaging Awards, but expanded later to include a broader look at sustainable innovations and practices of products and this year services. These awards demonstrate Good Housekeeping’s commitment towards educating our audience on sorting through misleading “greenwashing” claims and honoring products and services that are making true innovative strides towards a more sustainable economy.
When assessing the submissions, we aim to rate entries on key pillars of sustainability, including people, planet and purpose. The entry form includes specific sections where applicants will be able to highlight their most salient initiatives among the following:
- Energy, Water or Waste Reductions
- Ingredients or Materials
- Consumer Packaging
- Product Distribution
- Product Use Cycle/Maintenance
- End of Life
- Other
If the sustainability initiative that the applicant would like to highlight does not fall into any of these categories, they will be able to select “Other” to elaborate on specifics.
Applicants will also be asked general questions about their corporate sustainability goals and will be able to share any other achievements they would like to bring to our attention.
Judges for this program include directors from all GH Institute Labs combined with leading experts in the field. The judges will review submissions by examining measurable criteria, which the applicants will be entering on the submission form. For example, if an entrant would like to highlight their efforts in consumer packaging, they will be able to declare details such as material type and origin, product to packaging weight ratio, recyclability, compliance with model legislation and innovation.
How are Good Housekeeping's Sustainability Awards vetted?
The GH Sustainable Innovation Awards committee will review all submissions by examining measurable criteria that falls under the specific initiative the entrants opt to highlight. The applications will be scrutinized based on the supporting data and materials brands will share through the application form.
Who should apply for this year’s awards?
To be eligible, any product (packaged consumer goods, apps, etc.) and/or service should be available for purchase in the U.S. market by February 2024.
- Cleaning Appliances (e.g. washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, irons, vacuum cleaners)
- Autos
- Beauty / Personal Care
- Cars / Travel Related
- Electronics
- Food and Beverage
- Health / Wellness / Fitness
- Home Cleaning/Laundry Products and Detergents/Cleaning Tools)
- Hospitality and Entertainment (e.g. Hotels/Motels, Theme Parks, Venues, Event Management)
- Juvenile Products (e.g. Strollers, High Chairs)
- Kitchen Appliances / Cooking Tools (e.g. refrigerators, coffee makers, pans)
- Paper Products (e.g. toilet paper, paper towels)
- Textiles/Clothing/Bedding/Footwear
- Toys
- Other
If your entry does not fall into any of the categories above, you will be able to check “Other” and tell us your category.
To be considered, any products must be available for sale in the U.S. market by the submission deadline of February 2024.
How can I submit products to be reviewed for the Sustainability Awards? Is there a fee to enter?
Please also tell us about your entry by filling out our submission form. You will be asked to complete a separate form for each product or service you are submitting, with the product/brand/manufacturer name, MSRP (if applicable), imagery, product and/or service description, among other questions. A $495 application fee will be charged for each application to cover our administrative costs through a PayPal interface at the end of the submission form.
Note: The application fee will be waived for products/brands that currently carry the Good Housekeeping Seal. Please contact Good Housekeeping Seal Project Manager Tamara Smith at tamara.smith@hearst.com to confirm your eligibility.
My product has already been tested and/or featured by Good Housekeeping. Do I still need to apply?
Yes, you will need to submit an application regardless of whether your product has previously been reviewed by Good Housekeeping. This award program is independent of prior coverage and previous award programs.
What are the sample requirements?
For our initial review/screen of products, please send one sample (except for large items such as mattresses and furniture) in full packaging to the following address:
Good Housekeeping Sustainable Innovation Awards
Attn: Birnur Aral
300 W 57th Street
Good Housekeeping Institute - 29th Floor
NY, NY 10019
- For large items, you will be contacted regarding who/where to send the samples for consumer/juror testing after the applications close in July/August 2023.
- For small items, additional samples (upwards of five) might be requested for evaluations by our jury and testers. In that case, you will be contacted directly with all necessary shipment and deadline information.
- For products that live on an electronic platform, such as apps, we may request free download/access for our panelists/judges as needed.
- For service-based entries, we might request that the applicant provide an opportunity for one or more panelists/jurors to experience the service when evaluating the entry.
Is there a deadline for submission?
The application and payment submission deadline is June 29, 2023. If you anticipate any delays in meeting this deadline, please email us at GHSustainabilityAwards@hearst.com.
When will the winners be announced?
Winners will be announced online at goodhousekeeping.com in the spring of 2024.
What other benefits are there for applicants?
There may be opportunities for additional social promotion and other media coverage. Since submissions are extensively reviewed for the award program, it gives our experts and editors the opportunity to consider them for further content throughout the year. Good Housekeeping currently has an audience of over 56 million readers between the magazine and the website. Winners will be notified in advance of the launch dates.
