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A CEO from one of the world’s largest companies (also one of the biggest polluters) said something that’s been said on the sustainable circuit for a while now- consumers have more power than we think. Mark Schneider, CEO of Nestle told CNBC that when we [consumers] ask brands to be sustainable, that’s when change happens. Brands like Nestle have already announced their strategy to reduce CO2 emissions by 2050. And, it’s no coincidence that fast fashion retailers like H&M have been dabbling with recycled fabrics while Levi’s have unveiled water-recycling technology to reduce the dye and chemical pollution emitted from their popular jeans. When we as consumers practice sustainable consumption or write to brands about our concerns over their environmental impact, they listen. And, that’s when they review how they source materials, cut down on their energy use and make sustainable changes that can have a major impact on our environment.
Today’s consumer asks even more than before for sustainability. They want to know that we are treating the planet well, they want to know we’re taking care of the next generation.
~ Nestle CEO Mark Schneider
Sustainable consumption requires sustainable brands or at the very least conventional brands taking actionable steps to reduce their environmental impact. One way we can spark these steps is to write to brands asking them to become more conscious about how they’re affecting our planet. Because, when we, as educated consumers, educate brands about how they’re affecting our environment and let them know that those decisions will impact where we will spend our money, they will listen. Like a good relationship, brands and consumers need honest communication to work together. As consumers there’s nothing quite like a good old fashion email or more modern social media shout out to let them know how we feel. Below are three templates you can use to ask brands to help you practice sustainable consumption.
Digital these days means that there’s total transparency about your supply chain, so people do understand what you’re doing for the planet and they reward the companies that are leading this trend.
~ Nestle CEO Mark Schneider
Sustainable Sourcing of Materials
Every product that we use is made from materials that are sourced from the planet. Sometimes that can have a devastating impact on the environment. Mining diamonds leads to soil erosion, deforestation and the destruction of ecosystems. Polyester, a popular plastic-based fabric, requires millions of barrels of oil yearly and emits tiny pieces of plastic into our water sources. Paper manufacturing releases a host of greenhouse gases into the air. With millions of products being produced and disposed of yearly, extraction and manufacturing puts a strain on our environment. Some organizations like the United Nations suggest new methods to assess the environmental hazards of extracting raw materials to ensure that they are sourced responsibly.
Dear [ Brand Name ],
I am your customer, and I love your products.
However, I am very worried about the impact that your product, specifically the materials/ ingredients have on the environment.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals highlights sustainable consumption and production in an effort to help reverse environmental degradation. Some of the areas addressed are how raw material sourcing and production impact the air, soil and water pollution.
Extracting resources has a big strain on our environment and I’d like to know what your impact is and how you are addressing your environmental impact throughout your supply chain" layout="responsive" width="560" height="315">
Offsetting & Reducing Carbon Emissions
Every brand, no matter how sustainable they are leaves an environmental footprint. A lot of the time, that comes in the form of greenhouse gas emissions. This could be the result of shipping materials to factories and/or the energy used during manufacturing. Some brands asses this impact by calculating their carbon emissions. And, while they work to reduce their impact they might even seek to offset it through programs that aim to balance out their greenhouse gas emissions with initiatives like planting trees for reforestation.
Dear [ Brand Name ],
I am your customer and I love your products.
However, I am very worried about the impact from your carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions.
I’m aware that everything we make and buy leaves a carbon footprint. Organizations like NASA have assessed that our economic activities over the last century will probably lead to warmer conditions, more drastic weather conditions and even nutritional depletion from our food sources.
I am very worried about this strain on our environment and I’d like to know how you are measuring, offsetting and reducing carbon emissions.
I understand that building a brands with great products is not easy. But, now is the time to step up and protect the environment. As your customer I am ready to support you if you do.
Sincerely,
Your Customer, [ Your Name ]
Using Sustainable Packaging
Packaging plays a big role in our waste output. In the U.S, 82.2 million tons of containers and packaging were generated in 2018. We recycled a little over 50% of these packaging materials with steel and glass containers having a higher recycling rate than plastic packaging. A few companies have taken these facts into account and have adopted plastic-free packaging solutions. But, with 40 million tons of packaging waste going to landfills, we need more brands to offer more recyclable, refillable or compostable packaging solutions in an effort to truly reduce our waste.
Here’s a template you can use to let your favorite brand know that while you love them, you’d love them even more if they helped customers make sustainable consumption choices when it comes to their packaging.
Dear [ Brand Name ],
I am your customer, and I love your products.
However, I am very worried about the impact that your packaging has on the environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency reports that, ‘Containers and packaging make up a major portion of municipal solid waste (MSW), amounting to 80.1 million tons of generation in 2017 (29.9 percent of total generation).’ According to studies done at the University of Southern Indiana packaging accounts for 65% of household trash. This is a big strain on our environment and I’d like to know what your impact is. Is your packaging recyclable or are you working on sustainable packaging solutions?
I understand that finding the right packaging for your brand takes a lot of time and effort building relationship with packaging companies. But, now is the time to step up and protect the environment. As your customer I am ready to support you if you do.
So, please tell me about what you are doing to be more sustainable and the proper way your customers should safely and ethically dispose of your packaging materials.
Sincerely,
Your Customer, [ Your Name ]