2Sustain

Communications conglomerate AT&T, in collaboration with global sustainability consultancy Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), is continuing its march on environmentally-conscious business practices with the release of a new eco-rating system for its products.

In just a few months, consumers will find AT&T eco-ratings on simple, easy-to-read-and-understand labels included with AT&T-branded mobile devices.

As a recent Deloitte study showed, sustainability is becoming increasingly important for consumer purchasing decisions. In fact, more than half (54 percent) of surveyed shoppers said they consider sustainability to be one of their top decision-making factors.

To provide consumers with information so they can make more educated and environmental decisions, AT&T’s new eco-rating system will cover attributes such as: (more…)

Food supply chains are now global and enormously complex. And food recalls are more commonplace than ever before. (See earlier posts about problems with honey, beef, eggs, cookie dough . . .)

As a result, it’s no surprise that food safety is an increasing concern worldwide.

Food safety regulations have increased, and food manufacturers say they’ve fine-tuned processes. But, do consumers have faith in these stepped-up efforts? Do we really feel confident that the food we eat is safe?

To gain some insight into this intriguing manufacturer-consumer dynamic, UL (Underwriters Laboratories), conducted a study exploring the perceptions of consumers and food manufacturers regarding safety, innovation, performance and sustainability issues.

The study, Navigating the Product Mindset, collected opinions from consumers and manufacturers in China, India, Germany and the US across the high tech, food, building materials and household chemicals industries.

The results of the study show that: (more…)

For a decade now, consumers have been calling on chocolate companies to take more responsibility for transparency in the cocoa bean supply chain.  Late last month, the Hershey Company announced that it is doing just that, as it assumes a leadership role in this area and extends its commitment to drive the long-term change that’s needed.

As previously pledged, Hershey has begun to reinforce its cocoa sustainability efforts by accelerating farmer and family development in West Africa, where 70 percent of the world’s cocoa is grown.

In a press release, the company outlined its plans to: (more…)

For years now, consumers, investors, advocacy groups and other stakeholders have been pressing for improved transparency in business practices, and in line with appeals like these, California legislators passed the Transparency in Supply Chain Act (SB 657), effective as of January 1, 2012.

Simply put, The Transparency in Supply Chain Act requires retailers and manufacturers to publicly disclose their efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their supply chains. The law applies to all corporations doing business in California with more than $100 million in worldwide gross receipts, and as a result, it’s estimated to affect some 3,200 companies.

Not surprisingly, the new regulations have been the subject of much debate. (more…)

Where will your company focus its sustainability initiatives in the year ahead?

New survey results from corporate sustainability research and advisory firm Green Research show that, looking ahead to 2012, the majority of the businesses polled have decided to devote significant time and financial resources on two initiatives above all others: employee engagement and supplier sustainability performance.

The in-depth survey of nearly 50 top North American and European senior sustainability executives found that:

• 88 percent of companies plan to invest in employee engagement in 2012.
• 73 percent said they will focus on improving sustainability performance of their suppliers.

In addition, Green Research discovered that sustainability spending will rise significantly in 2012.

• 50 percent of those polled said their firms will increase spending on sustainability initiatives.
• 33 percent plan to add staff to their sustainability departments.
• 25 percent reported they will increase budgets of sustainability departments.

The report also includes insights regarding: (more…)