Many companies are encouraging their customers, whether they be individuals or businesses, to take the greener option. These companies, especially the larger corporations, have done their research and concluded that it is good business practice as consumers are increasingly demanding not only value for money, but also high environmental standards. In the recession, as people and businesses are spending less, there is increasing competition, which means anything that will give an edge over your competitor is valuable.
Many organisations are not just stopping at working on their own internal environmental processes, but also working with their supply chain to encourage (and in some cases force) suppliers to become more sustainable. This is also a two way process: if eco-products and services are selling more, this will also encourage retailers and their suppliers to stock more.
This all leads to a virtuous cycle of consumers encouraging retailers to be more sustainable who in turn encourage their suppliers and then they in turn encourage consumers to buy their eco-products.
Marks & Spencer
A well known example of this are the large food retailers. We were recently talking with a senior sustainability manager at one of the big supermarkets and this individual’s hackles rose when the words ‘M&S’ were mentioned to them. This was because even though their company have taken great strides, it is M&S that have the highest profile for their famous ‘Plan A’. The supermarkets are all competing with each other to be greener than the other, and this is leading to a virtuous cycle of investment in, and action on, sustainability.
Eco-Phone
In an example of supplier and retailer working together, O2 have recognised that that environment is a market opportunity and now grade phones on their eco-friendliness. As their UK chief executive. Ronan Dunne states: “We know that sustainability is important for many of our customers and for the first time they will have the whole picture from which to make a full and balanced purchasing decision,”
It is not co-incidental therefore that Sony Ericcson have launched a range of more environmentally friendly phones. This has made an impact at PeopleProfitPlanet, because whilst Director, and author of this article, Adam Woodhall can admit he was tempted by the all pervasive iPhone4, he has stuck to his green ideals and he upgraded his phone to the new Sony Ericsson ‘Elm’ 6 months ago.
Adam was therefore very proud to find out that his Elm (pictured) is the greenest in the world according to the O2 grading system, receiving 4.3 out 5!
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