A few generations ago, it seemed as if our resources were not limited. We assumed that resources like gas, oil, and even coal were infinite. However, now we are starting to see these resources are limited. We’ve been fighting against issues like global warming and carbon emissions from non-renewable sources (primary resources). As these crises get serious every day, our generation is looking for a way to make the Earth a better place. Scientists are finding renewable resources (secondary resources). The government is in the process of changing a policy in regards to the environment. Some businesses are also promoting and prioritizing the values of being “eco-friendly.” Just as individual consumers do their part by reducing their energy usage and recycling their waste, eco-friendly companies are working hard to make a difference.
Green initiates are becoming important as consumer groups continue to publish studies about the rising demand for more environmentally-friendly practices in business. Eco-friendly brands are the companies that recognize the seriousness of the biggest threats that our planet is facing and try to come up with unique and practical solutions to overcome these issues. These brands are not only prioritizing the way of just using recycled packaging or turning their thermostats down during the winter. Today, they are investing in new initiatives and ideas that can help our environment. This trend of valuing our environment in a business field is spreading to the business leaders of tomorrow. Around 88% of business school students think social and environmental issues are essential to business branding. These three eco-friendly brands try to impact the Earth with their unique ideas positively.
1. Starbucks
Starbucks has promoted non-dairy milk and eliminated plastic straws to reduce its carbon footprint. Now, the company is adding the uniqueness of another way to make its operation greener. Customers are encouraged to use a “personal or Starbucks-provided reusable cup” for every visit by 2025. One of Starbucks’ pilot programs, called “Borrow a Cup,” is to put a Starbucks-branded reusable cup in customers’ hands to return professionally cleaned cups to the store. The cups are then put back into the rotation for other customers. From this, Starbucks noted that its test run in South Korea prevented 200,000 cups from hitting landfills in the program’s first three months.
2. TOMS
TOMS tries to impact the environment positively in a unique way. Countless children growing up without shoes inspired the founder of TOMS, Blake Mycoskie. Mycoskie launched a for-profit business that promised to donate a pair of shoes to communities in need every time a customer bought a pair. Also, TOMS offers clean drinking water, eye services, safe birth kits, and more to communities around the globe. However, as they help as many people as possible, TOMS also respects the planet by making shoes and shoe boxes with recyclable and sustainable materials.
3. Patagonia
Patagonia doesn’t just have an excellent reputation for its wide selection of durable clothing. This unique brand also has the vision to build the best product without harming the environment. The great thing about Patagonia is that the business is frank about its practices. Patagonia knows that not everything is eco-friendly; they use fossil fuels to produce some of the outer-shells on their coats. However, the impressive thing about Patagonia is that they are being transparent about the situation. Also, they share information about their environmental initiative on social media. Lastly, Patagonia gives 1% of its sales to Earth Tax. Earth Tax supports ecological organizations worldwide to restore forests, take down dams, and protect endangered species.
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