Ursa Major
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About Ursa Major
Ursa Major represents Vermont's approach to clean skincare, positioning itself as an independent brand that bridges outdoor lifestyle authenticity with rigorous sustainability practices. The company has established credibility through certified B Corp status since 2020, demonstrating verified social and environmental performance that distinguishes it within the crowded clean beauty market.
The brand's sustainability leadership centers on packaging innovation, achieving plastic-negative status through verified waste removal partnerships while transitioning to recyclable glass and aluminum containers. This environmental focus extends to ingredient safety, with formulations eliminating parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances in favor of botanicals and proven safe synthetics.
As an independent operation, Ursa Major maintains direct control over its sustainability initiatives, from supply chain auditing through its B Corp certification to community engagement that includes 600+ annual volunteer hours and partnerships with outdoor access organizations. However, gaps remain in water stewardship and measurable wildlife conservation efforts, representing opportunities for the brand to strengthen its environmental credentials.
The Good Stuff
Where Ursa Major appears to be making meaningful progress. We cross-referenced these findings with multiple independent sources.
Plastic-Negative Packaging Leadership
Achieves plastic-negative status through verified waste removal partnerships while transitioning packaging to recyclable glass and aluminum with post-consumer recycled content
Comprehensive B Corp Verification
Certified B Corporation since 2020 with 96.6 impact score, providing third-party verification of environmental practices, labor standards, and community engagement
Clean Ingredient Safety Standards
Formulations verified free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, utilizing natural botanicals and proven safe synthetics for effective skincare
The Reality Check
Areas where the publicly available data gets murky, incomplete, or concerning. We're transparent about the limitations of our analysis.
Water Conservation Policy Void
No public disclosures regarding water usage, conservation initiatives, or facility-level water stewardship practices in manufacturing operations
Animal Sourcing Standards Gap
Absence of disclosed sustainable sourcing standards or verification systems for any animal-derived ingredients used in formulations
Limited Wildlife Impact Measurement
Lacks measurable habitat restoration programs or dedicated wildlife conservation funding despite outdoor lifestyle brand positioning
Ursa Major's
Impact Aura
A visual representation of Ursa Major's positive impact
across People, Planet and Animals
Each colored area represents the brand's performance in that sustainability category. The size and intensity of each blob corresponds to their score—larger, more vibrant areas indicate stronger performance.
Our Research
Key findings from our comprehensive analysis of Ursa Major's sustainability performance across People, Planet & Animals impact.
Positive Impact on People
Research Highlights
- Ingredient safety verified through clean formulations free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances
- Labor practices validated through certified B Corp evaluation covering worker and community standards
- Supply chain transparency documented through B Corp audited sourcing policies and ingredient evaluation
- Social impact demonstrates 600+ annual volunteer hours and partnerships with outdoor access organizations
- Marketing integrity verified through third-party B Corp certification and transparently documented plastic-negative claims
Evidence Strength
Comprehensive B Corp third-party verification with strong documentation across labor, supply chain, and marketing integrity
Positive Impact on Planet
Research Highlights
- Climate action evidenced through B Corp environmental scoring with 96.6 overall impact score
- Packaging innovation achieves plastic-negative status through rePurpose partnership with recyclable glass and aluminum
- Chemical responsibility demonstrated through safe proven synthetics and upcycled botanical formulations
- Biodiversity support includes partnerships with Vermont Land Trust and conservation organizations
- Water stewardship represents a significant gap with no public conservation policies or usage disclosures
Evidence Strength
Excellent packaging and chemical safety documentation, strong B Corp environmental verification, limited water and biodiversity metrics
Positive Impact on Animals
Research Highlights
- Cruelty-free standards verified through Leaping Bunny certification across all product lines
- Vegan formulations documented across product listings with clean, animal-free ingredients
- Conservation support includes partnerships with Outdoor Afro, Vermont Land Trust, and One Tree Planted
- Wildlife impact initiatives lack measurable habitat restoration or dedicated funding programs
- Sustainable sourcing for animal-derived ingredients shows absence of disclosed standards or verification
Evidence Strength
Strong cruelty-free and vegan verification through Leaping Bunny certification, gaps in wildlife impact measurement and sourcing standards
See the Receipts
We don't just make claims—here are the official certifications that prove Ursa Major's sustainability commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ursa Major sustainable?
Our assessment shows Ursa Major demonstrates strong sustainability performance in several key areas, particularly packaging innovation and third-party verified standards. The brand achieves plastic-negative status and maintains B Corp certification with strong verified environmental and social practices. However, gaps exist in water conservation and wildlife impact measurement.
Is Ursa Major cruelty-free and vegan?
Yes, Ursa Major maintains Leaping Bunny certification for cruelty-free standards and documents vegan formulations across its product line. Independent verification confirms no animal testing and clean, animal-free ingredient formulations throughout their skincare range.
What makes Ursa Major's packaging sustainable?
Ursa Major leads in packaging sustainability through its plastic-negative initiative, verified through waste removal partnerships. The brand has transitioned to recyclable glass and aluminum containers with post-consumer recycled content, demonstrating measurable environmental impact reduction.
Is Ursa Major third-party verified for sustainability?
Yes, Ursa Major maintains certified B Corp status since 2020 with comprehensive third-party evaluation of environmental practices, labor standards, and community impact. This certification provides independent verification of sustainability claims across multiple performance areas.
What are Ursa Major's clean beauty standards?
Ursa Major formulates without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, focusing on natural botanicals and proven safe synthetics. The brand's ingredient safety approach balances clean formulation principles with product efficacy for outdoor lifestyle needs.
Does Ursa Major support environmental causes?
The brand demonstrates environmental commitment through 600+ annual volunteer hours and partnerships with organizations including Vermont Land Trust and One Tree Planted. Their plastic-negative packaging initiative and B Corp certification further evidence environmental action.
Where does Ursa Major fall short on sustainability?
Our analysis identifies gaps in water conservation policies, wildlife impact measurement, and sustainable sourcing standards for animal-derived ingredients. While the brand excels in packaging and verification, these areas represent opportunities for enhanced environmental performance.
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The Bottom Line
Ursa Major demonstrates verified sustainability leadership through B Corp certification and plastic-negative packaging innovation, while gaps in water stewardship and wildlife impact measurement indicate areas for continued environmental development.
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