By Mari
A recent report on Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Communications (PDF link) has some interesting findings. When asked to select the three most important activities for a socially responsible company to engage in, survey respondents for the report listed “ensuring that products meet accepted environmental/social standards” at number two. Only “fair treatment of employees” came in higher.
Meeting environmental standards is certainly important, but which ones? And where do they come from? Are they reliable? Do they cover the most important environmental attributes?
It becomes clearer and clearer to me that greater regulation or at least transparency is needed in the setting and promotion of environmental standards.
Information on the report via Buyer Analytics and Environmental Leader. Click thumbnail right for larger picture.
By Mari
Breaking up with a supplier is no easy matter, but companies are increasingly putting out “Dear John” letters to long-time vendors in an effort to green their supply chains. Most recently, Staples very publicly fired its paper supplier over concerns of deforestation practices. Among other problems, Greenpeace had charged the vendor of illegal logging in Chinese forests, and Staples stated that remaining with the supplier would be a “great peril to [its] brand.”
Staples is not alone. When New York State put in place a mandate that all cleaning materials used in schools must be EcoLogo or Green Seal certified, several suppliers were shown the door. Also in New York, Crown Vic cabs were given the old heave-ho when taxi companies had to upgrade their fleets to fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles. And most recently, a major restaurant supplier (not to be named at the moment) fired its long-standing paper-goods supplier in favor of one with EcoLogo certification.
All in all, green credentials are becoming more and more important for suppliers looking to secure and retain big customers. Want to avoid a break-up this Valentine’s Day? Be able to prove your business is on the right side of green
It becomes clearer and clearer to me that greater regulation or at least transparency is needed in the setting and promotion of environmental standards.