MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS -
As we wrap up work for the year and prepare for 2019, we reflected back on all that occurred this year within our niche realm of sustainability communications — and when looking back, it was apparent that 2018 was the year of brands taking stands.
CONSUMER BEHAVIOR CHANGE -
The overall number of drunk driving deaths has decreased by about 50 percent since 1980, according to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers.
But while the number of drunk driving accidents has been cut in half, over 10,000 people still die every year from drunk driving–related accidents. We’re approaching one of the most dangerous times in the year: January 1st is the worst time for drunk driving and accidents caused by drunk drivers.
COLLABORATION & CO-CREATION -
California is still reeling from the series of devastating wildfires that gutted its landscape — again — in the past few months.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY -
The fashion industry has kicked December off with a bang, launching a number of game-changing initiatives and partnerships aimed at further improving its image by reducing its impacts.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
After an intensive global campaign by Greenpeace, Wilmar International has published a detailed action plan to map and monitor its palm oil suppliers.
This week, the world’s largest palm oil trader, Wilmar International, published a detailed action plan to map and monitor all of its suppliers. If implemented, this would put the palm oil giant — which supplies 40 percent of the world’s palm oil — one step closer to finally eliminating deforestation from its supply chain, and would have major implications for the rest of the industry.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY -
The federal government hoped its Black-Friday release of a landmark report on the regional impacts of climate change might mitigate its media attention. It hasn't really worked: The report is still in the headlines over two weeks later. It’s not just consumers that care. A recent NAEM trends report found that in boardrooms across the country, companies are committing to addressing the climate challenges of our time by setting and meeting ambitious climate goals.
COLLABORATION & CO-CREATION -
This week, two fashion giants with extensive brand portfolios announced partnerships that show promise for cleaning up “dirty fashion.”
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY -
This week, more momentum on the anti-plastic front: Unilever will develop a crowdsourced, plastic-free laundry solution to combat single-use sachets; while Stora Enso and Sulapac are developing renewable drinking straws.
Unilever to invest €100K in crowdsourced alternative to plastic packaging
CPG giant Unilever has announced that it will invest €100,000 in a new, plastic-free laundry tablet — a crowdsourced innovation that has the potential to replace single-use sachets of laundry powder, a popular format for laundry detergents in the developing world that is problematic in terms of plastic waste.
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS -
What Gen Z want from brands is the new Holy Grail for marketers — you only have to look at the myriad surveys and reports published recently that seek to analyze their preferences and intentions.
This obsession with Gen Z is understandable — after all, this new generation of consumers already are two billion strong and have a combined $44 billion in purchasing power.
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY -
US-based multinational 3M launches approximately 1,000 new products each year; starting in 2019, 100 percent of them will have sustainability built in: Today, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24), 3M announced its first formal requirement that, beginning in 2019, all new products will include a Sustainability Value Commitment that demonstrates how they drive impact for the greater good.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
The recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) sounds an alarm: “Limiting global warming to 1.5°C …requires rapid and far-reaching transitions in energy, land, urban infrastructure … and industrial systems.”
PRESS RELEASE -
HUNTSVILLE, AL, November 28, 2018 – BASF’s facility in Huntsville, Alabama received the Green Excellence Recognition in Waste Stewardship Award by Honda of America Manufacturing. The award recognizes BASF’s continuous and innovative efforts toward sustainability by significantly reducing production waste and achieving a Zero Waste to Landfill validation from UL. Less than 0.2 percent of waste goes to the landfill at the production facility.
PRESS RELEASE -
How2Recycle today announced Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. – one of the world's largest consumer wellness and personal care products companies – has joined the growing list of companies adopting the How2Recycle label. The company will start by using the on-package recycling label on many of its baby products, including baby lotion, baby shampoo, and baby wash. The label will help make recycling easier for busy parents, by providing specific instructions on how each product can be recycled.
COLLABORATION & CO-CREATION -
A new report from Washington D.C.-based nonprofit the Enough Project highlights just how rampant corruption and human rights abuses are in the supply chain for cobalt, a mineral used to power battery technology.
PRESS RELEASE -
Signs the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment at the Our Ocean Conference.
CONSUMER BEHAVIOR CHANGE -
During this season of giving, many of today’s more discerning consumers won’t be joining the masses scrambling to answer the siren call to stock up on discounted “stuff” — they’ll be remembering the values meant to be at the heart of this season, by taking REI’s advice to #OptOutside to enjoy nature and giving back by cleaning up; and when they do shop, they’re increasingly basing their loyalty and purchasing decisions on companies’ reputations rather than just product features and price.
COLLABORATION & CO-CREATION -
UK grocery giant Tesco and WWF have announced a groundbreaking, four-year partnership aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the average UK shopping cart by 50 percent, improving the sustainability of food while ensuring it remains affordable for all.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY -
The global movement to end textile waste continues, with the release of outer- and undergarments from new and established brands alike.
ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE -
Brands that position themselves as purpose-driven activists dedicated to using profits to further their mission carve out a competitive advantage amongst today’s conscious consumers. Lyft is an excellent example of a company distinguishing itself by building a brand around values, as well as quality.
The rideshare company is the second-largest in the sector, controlling over one-third of US market share, with Uber driving the majority. While there is tough competition, Lyft stands out with its purpose, mission and activism, which recently lead the company to celebrate 1 billion rides.
PRESS RELEASE -
Colgate’s support of The Recycling Partnership is part of the All In On Recycling challenge, which kicked off with a $10 million investment from the PepsiCo Foundation this summer. The goal of this largest industry-wide challenge is to raise $25 million in total donations from leading businesses, companies, and organizations to deliver recycling support to more than 2,800 communities nationwide over the next five years.