Businesses these days compete with each other for green credentials since consumers have become increasingly conscious of their carbon prints on the planet. However, not every company can balance capitalism with sustainability. Some rely on excessive marketing to eclipse questionable working conditions, others plant trees to make up for the gallons of oil they spill into the sea and some believe the government should pay for their negative externalities. Here are a few companies that deserve recognition for their consistent eco-friendly approach:
- IKEA
This Swedish furniture and furnishings giant is particularly conscious of the way in which it obtains the raw materials. It procures 50% of its wood from sustainable foresters and 100% of cotton from farms that comply with the Better Cotton regulations (minimal wastage of water, energy, chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
You can see IKEA’s commitment to sustainability at its stores. If you prefer a plastic bag to a paper bag, you have to pay a nickel for it. In fact, stores recycle the thin plastic film used in plastic packaging to make its Skutt desk pads. It has installed more than 700,000 solar panels to power its stores and plans to be energy independent by 2020.
- Starbucks
Starbucks Corporation, the largest international coffeehouse company has always focused on ethical and social responsibilities. With its C.A.F.E. program, Starbucks has set guidelines to increase product quality, social and economic responsibility and environmental management. The program ensures that Starbucks farmers grow coffee in a way which is not only good for the people, but also good for the planet. Additionally, by partnering with Ethos Water, Starbucks provided clean water to over one billion people who lack access to such a facility.
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Starbucks entered into a pilot program with the U.S. Green Building Council to reduce the environmental impact of its stores on a global scale with significant cost and time efficiencies. They further implemented an LED lighting conversion program, by collaborating with GE Consumer & Industrial. The program developed a solution that aided in reducing energy consumption as well as utility and maintenance costs at Starbucks stores around the world.
- Martin Dow Group
This renowned pharmaceutical group in Pakistan has joined hands with WWF employees by spending the entire day at the Wetlands Karachi Information Center. They cleaned the beach and planted more than 500 saplings as part of an environment drive to conserve and protect the declining mangroves of Sindh. WWF planned this activity through their corporate employee engagement program.
Due to water pollution and deforestation, mangroves in Sindh are under existential threat, as the forests are gradually diminishing. The mangrove plantations reduce carbon footprints and serve as a breeding ground for a diverse variety of marine life. The saplings planted by the team of Martin Dow Group are expected to off-set approximately 0.75 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year. Martin Dow Group team also educated the employees on environmental issues by conducting an awareness eco-workshop.
- Patagonia
Patagonia, an American retailer that sells outdoor ‘sustainable’ clothing was ranked by Forbes among the most eco-friendly brands in the world. Its paradoxical corporate 'anti-growth' strategy is indicative of the brand’s perpetual battle against wasteful and superfluous consumption. It released advertisements that dissuaded people from impulse buying and launched a program that educated them on repairing rather than replacing products.
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Most importantly, its marketing is not just limited to messaging; the eco-friendliness is also reflective in their products. For instance, Patagonia’s wetsuits are made of natural rubber and plastic bottles are recycled to make parkas. Although Walmart is not particularly seen as an eco-friendly company, it aligned itself with Patagonia to seek assistance in making its supply chain green.
- Panasonic
Panasonic has been applauded in recent times for its consistent sustainability efforts. With its ambitious energy goals, Panasonic has integrated sustainability in its daily activities. For example, it moved its North American headquarters to reduce the commute distance for and carbon footprint of its employees.
As a part of its “Product to Product” approach, Panasonic removes plastic from products like televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing or drying machines at the end of their life cycle and recycles them into materials that are once again used in household appliances. Additionally, under its afforestation scheme, it has planted 3.3 million trees around the world since 2007.
- Timberland
Timberland, a popular American footwear and outdoor apparel company, has made positive impacts on thousands of communities around the world through its “Path of Service” program. As part of this program, each Timberland employee is given up to 40 paid hours per year to dedicate to service, during which they create positive and sustainable impacts in their communities.
Timberland organises two global days of service: Earth Day in the spring and Serv-a-palooza in the fall. Earth Day events focus on protecting the environment and greening our communities, whereas the latter focuses on addressing social and environmental needs. Since 2000, the company has planted more than 5 million trees worldwide, framed and delivered 14 Habitat for Humanity houses for communities ravaged by natural disasters and built six water towers that provide clean drinking water to the locals.
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