"Eco-Friendly Business" and "Sustainability" are becoming frequent buzzwords used in the world of corporate business. But what do these words mean, and how are major corporations tackling the issues surrounding climate change? BusinessGreen.com recently discussed these issues, citing a report by ING, a leading banking and financial firm, which details the growing trend of businesses increasing their sustainable and eco-friendly practices in a move to become more competitive within the business world. Companies are making these moves in order to decrease their operational overhead, as well as improve their earnings and help them secure better borrowing rates. In short, being eco-friendly means a better bottom-line for them. Many of the companies detailed in the report have pointed to a growing trend of sustainable practices as being one of the main drivers of revenue. Brand reputation has long played a large part in corporate growth strategy, and many companies also cited sustainability and eco-friendly practices as becoming increasingly linked to brand reputation, another major reason why corporate sustainability is on the rise.
The companies involved in the report are not small; On the contrary, all companies that participated earn between $500 million to $20 billion yearly, and many are on the Fortune 100 companies list. One such corporate giant is the fast-food enterprise McDonald's, which has been working hard to move towards sustainable practices in recent years. Utilizing what McDonald's called their "Scale for Good," the company evaluates various eco-centric criteria, such as the environmental impact of their food, and the sustainability of their beef products. In addition, McDonald's also employs strategies to address climate change, including reducing carbon emissions, use sustainable packaging and recycling, and conserving water. All of these issues are at the heart of climate change, and show McDonald's dedication to tackling the issue head-on via eco-friendly and sustainable practices.
Forbes' recently cited Siemens as the top energy conserving company in the world, citing a ranking done by the research firm Corporate Knights. An industry leader in producing medical imaging equipment, the company took the top spot because of its overall energy conservation, producing more earnings for every kilowatt of energy used than any other company. It also received a good mark in terms of its carbon footprint. A 2017 CDP report discussed on Ceres.com cited data that 63% of Fortune 100 companies have set green-energy goals. It also talked about some major companies that are committed to operating using 100% renewable energy, including Apple, Google, Facebook, Bank of America, General Motors, and Walmart.
With so much innovation happening in the world of corporate sustainability, now is a great time to get started on your business's sustainability plan. Getting involved in recycling, either through recycling your business's waste, offering recycling opportunities to your customers, or both, can help in the fight against climate change. RecycleAway.com provides many corporate giants and small businesses affordable recycling can solutions, to better help businesses implement sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Get your business involved in the green revolution by taking charge of your eco-friendly and sustainable practices today!