Teamwork and collaboration can bring mutual benefits. On one side of the coin we see companies and profit-based organizations that have enormous revenue generating machines and bad public images. On the flip side, we have NGOs that are not-for-profit, need money and offer good reputations. Ideally they sound like two matching puzzle pieces, fulfilling one another’s needs. Companies covet means to conduct genuine, sustainable developmental projects that are both socially and environmentally good for local communities. Yet, they may seemingly lack the knowledge, application and reputation to begin. Who better than NGOs and other similar organizations to come to the rescue?

As companies like Nike have recently demonstrated, establishing sustainable partnerships can do wonders to help raise your profile. But collaborating is no walk in the park, and it’s not just about trying to make yourself look green by association. It can be hard work and disruptive, but even so there are genuine benefits to be had from teaming up with outside experts, or even competitors. Of course, sustainable partnerships may not be for everyone and that is when one has to figure out what is appropriate for your business. Choosing partners well to ensure mutual benefit and shared strategic objectives that will not compete with you in this area. Collaborating is not about contracting out a problem, it’s about building a mutually beneficial partnership. Trust is crucial. When partnering with an NGO or other businesses it’s important to reach a common understanding on how this partnership will improve the environmental performance of your business. Even if you have established a shared goal remember that things can change. So have regular reviews to assess your progress and to ensure that you still share the same goals. To avoid any accusations of greenwash it’s important to make your commitments clear from the start and regularly review your progress. If the organization is going to make a real change, it will take time. So before you get everyone involved make sure you have the time and resources to really commit to this for the long term.

As with all things sustainable, we must remember that customers are not the end goal, simply a point in the production system whereby materials will eventually return back to its cradle. As such, building partnerships is not just temporary but real relationships that grow, evolve and learn over time.

Referenced from:

1) http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/procter-gamble-sustainability-report-partnerships

Using your fridge tends to be something people quickly glance over, so carefully researching options and comparing refrigerators is not necessarily what firms expect consumers to do. Sustainability in the fridge world is therefore actually driven by the companies that produce the appliances meeting standards, rather than explicit consumer demand for more efficient ways to keep food fresh.

Approximately nine million refrigerators are disposed of annually in the U.S., and only a fraction has the insulating foam in their walls and doors recycled. While 90 percent of used refrigerators in the U.S. are shredded for their metal, the remaining foam and other materials are typically crushed — releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere — and sent to a landfill.

In the regular consumption process, companies and consumers often only consider the first five steps: recognition of need or want, information search, evaluation of alternatives, purchase and usage. The last step however, post-use, was previously not considered. With consumers being bombarded with messaging such as “newer is better”, there is more onus on producers to extend responsibility of disposing their products.

What comes to mind is GE Appliances and their product recycling initiative for clean air and water called RAD: Responsible Appliance Disposal. As the first and only appliance manufacturer to address this situation, GE uses the RAD Way for refrigerators that includes four processes. Fridges are picked-up and sent to an Appliance Recycling Centers of America. Refrigerants and recoverable components are removed which will reduce 85% of refrigerator landfill waste. The greenhouse gases from the foam are captured in a sealed system. Approximately 95% of the insulating foam is recovered, compressed and can be used as fuel. Finally the remaining metals, compressed foam pellets, and plastics are separated for recycling.

With companies and consumers becoming more aware of their products’ life cycles, energy-efficiency and sustainable sourcing are more important during product selection. For LOHAS, Conventionals, and Drifters, sustainable choices such as GE and Energy Star certified products make sense. Of course, there have been allegations against the credibility of Energy Star as merely a greenwashing tool for companies. And with so many options touting sustainability, it is harder for the everyday consumer to make a safe choice, let alone a truly green one.

References from:

http://www.condo.ca/first-sustainability-standard-for-home-washing-machines/

http://www.triplepundit.com/2013/03/front-line-corporate-sustainability-laundry/

http://www.geappliances.com/refrigerator-recycling/

http://www.ceh.org/campaigns/previous-campaigns/previous-work/electronics/expose-energy-star-greenwashing/

http://generationgreen.org/?p=1286&preview=true

Many of you have probably seen the familiar blue and white smart car promenading around campus or the array of sleek silver charging stations by the bus loop, Totem Residence or SaveOn Foods. The car2go has become ever more popular ever since its introduction in 2008. Among students, families, and businesses, car2go clientele are still growing and will continue to attract others due to its innovative business model. Whether the consumer is aiming to be sustainable or even just practical and cost-saving, the idea is no-doubt appealing to those on either spectrum. The company touts of simplicity, budget friendliness, and environmental goodwill by using a powerful ‘Diverse Impact Model’, a model described by SustainAbility, a think tank and strategic advisory firm.

Emerging in a time when Gen Y is just starting to grow into their own bank accounts and make their own decisions, car2go has tapped into a widespread transportation need. Part of creating a diverse impact and targeting several consumer segments is the successful ability of car2go in establishing an alternative marketplace, behavioural changes, a product as a service, and shared resources. With its one-way model and ease of using the car, car2go outdoes Zipcar and other similar companies in this section. This model also stimulates reduced consumption and environmental feel-good incentives for those previously solely looking for the economical convenience of using but not owning a car.

www.car2go.com

Personally, I have not driven in one but I have several friends who have shared in the experience. Mostly positive, there are some mixed feelings as well. Primarily, we see car2go, alternative transportation, and people concentrated in the downtown core and other heavily populated areas such as university campuses and metropolitan hubs. The decreased availability in parking spaces and the increased clogging of roads are perhaps some of the few but concerning outcomes we see from car2go and other mobility-related sharing businesses. We have to question whether or not programs like this are simply adding to the problem of more congestion and higher manufacturing by-products. Are we driving our way out of the problem or driving to consume more?

References from:

http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/transportation-planning/transportation-options/automobiles/car-sharing

https://www.car2go.com/en/vancouver/

http://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-profiles/publicola/articles/report-car2go-a-slightly-qualified-success-april-2014