The Problem With Disposable Shopping Bags
The massive oil spill inside the Gulf of Mexico is a gigantic warning call for all of us. We all must cautiously reflect on the devastating effect the actions of companies and individuals are having on our world’s eco-system. A great deal has been said and will continue to be written about BP and the public relations nightmare it created itself through the epic oil spill inside the Gulf of Mexico. However you may not have been told that there’s an additional ongoing environmental controversy centered around the issue of deforestation and corporation called Asia Pulp and Paper (APP). Small businesses and organizations everywhere can learn an incredible lesson from pickle APP finds itself in. APP is a division in the mega business, Sinar Mas, and calls itself one of the planet’s top pulp and paper companies.
APP has of late been connected to being a serious contributor to deforestation. Deforestation, people-caused disappearance of naturally occurring forests by means of logging or burning, is a huge dilemma in today’s world. It is estimated that approximately 50% or more of the earth’s plant and animal life reside within the seven percent of the earth where rainforests currently exist. For example, the most renowned of rainforests, the Amazon, a spectacular 5.5 million square kilometer rainforest in the heart of South America encompassing sections of 9 separate countries, offers no more than 82.3% of the wet broadleaf forest cover it enjoyed in 1970. It is also estimated that between 1991 and 2000, the total loss of Amazon rainforest increased from 415,000 square kilometers to almost 600,000. The data above is according to Wikipedia.
A different lesser known although still struggling rain forest, the Indonesian rainforest, has made recent headlines following a statement from Greenpeace. Inside the report, Greenpeace accuses Asia Paper and Pulp of “relentlessly trashing rainforests, driving species extinction and, if left unchecked, will threaten Indonesia’s efforts to address climate change.” Reported by CNN.com, Indonesia is one of the planet’s major culprits of emitting greenhouse emissions mainly due to clear-cutting and burning of rainforests for logging and additional purposes. Indonesia has long been a recipient of criticism for its environmental practices mainly because of disregard for global and even their very own laws. APP is currently going through a public relations nightmare due to the Greenpeace report, and of course is claiming Greenpeace’s claims are exaggerated. Nevertheless things recently took a turn for the worse for Sinar Mas as in July, 2010, Wal-Mart, announced they have taken steps to stop purchasing their paper, as a result of this and additional controversies associated with APP. Sounds like APP’s denial of the issue is making things worse and now costing them major business. The disappearance Wal-Mart’s business over the next year will considerably affect their bottom line.
This takes us to a good question: In today’s struggling world-wide economy, how can organizations and businesses make sure they are instituting environmentally-friendly and energy efficient trade practices and never on the incorrect side of a PR controversy? Business.Gov, the official business link to the American Government, features a 10-step guide to help businesses ensure they are energy efficient, meeting the requirements of environmental rules, and recognized as a green business. Listed here are the steps: Comply with Environmental Policies, Develop an Environmental Management Plan, Build Green, Acquire Eco friendly Products, Implement Energy Efficient Practices, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Wastes, Save Water, Prevent Polluting of the environment, Make a Green Marketing Strategy, and Join Industry Partnership and Stewardship Programs.
Step 4 Acquire Green Products, is a good idea that numerous companies fail to think about. A unique method to raise awareness about deforestation while marketing your brand is through eco friendly promotional products like seed paper, which is made from actual seeds and can still germinate and sprout into a flower when planted. Something so simple as a seed card like a seed business card or a seeded thank you card can produce a truly memorable interaction with a consumer or industry colleague. You could also incorporate a statement on the subject of deforestation on the stationary, making it completely clear about where your company stands out on environmental issues. Another one that stands out on this list is step 6, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Wastes. Remembering to reduce and reuse is the best way to eradicate the need to recycle in the first place. Now is the time to do something to prevent deforestation along with making certain your organization is recognized as being a green business, as a consequence solidifying your sustainable reputation. The 10 steps above are a great guide for any business owner or CEO to execute sustainable practices within your business. Embrace the challenge of continually improving your organization’s environmental footprint. Your company’s leadership and example will help end the terrible effects of deforestation and the investment is going to be well worth it.
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