Climate change is barely a new topic in our life. Those who care about the planet have been arranging protests and initiatives to demand politicians and businesses enhance their environmental policies and practices. According to The Guardian report, about 6 million people joined the latest wave of global protest, uniting across time zones, cultures, and generations to demand urgent action on the escalating ecological emergency.
Fortunately, some businesses have made a real move to get more sustainable with their products and services. Based on HR in Asia’s review, here are the seven most impactful and eco-friendly companies to work at.
TOMS is one of the best-known eco-friendly companies with their programs that support the environment and poor family. In the story of TOMS’ corporate responsibility, the brand committed to sustainability and to do everything they can to make the world a better place – one pair of shoes at a time. TOMS also promises to donate a pair of shoes to communities in need every time a customer bought a pair. In addition to that, TOMS also offers clean drinking water, eye services, safe birth kits, and more to communities around the globe.
Apart from charity actions, TOMS respects the environment by making shoes and shoe boxes with recyclable and sustainable materials. According to Rank a Brand, parts of TOMS shoes’ collection is made from natural hemp, organic cotton and/or recycled polyester. The packaging is mainly made of recycled waste materials and printed with soy ink.
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Patagonia is one of the world’s most popular outdoor brands. The brand has a mission to build the best products without harming the environment. In their environmental responsibility policy, Patagonia is committed to being transparent when it comes to the situations of their company. The brand gives 1 percent of its sales to Earth Tax, which supports ecological organisations around the world to restore forests, take down dams, and protect endangered species.
In their product development, Patagonia uses natural rubber and plastics bottles which are turned into parkas. They also recognise the importance of political action on the environment and has made voting for eco-friendly leaders a cornerstone of its sustainability message.
Meat production does have a severe impact on the environment due to their agricultural practice. However, different from other meat production company, Beyond Meat has concerns about the environment with their campaign to address global issues such as human health, climate change, constraints on natural resources, and animal welfare.
Research from the Center for Sustainable Systems found that the Beyond Meat burger generates 90 percent fewer greenhouse emissions, requires 46 percent less energy, and has 99 percent less impact on water scarcity and 93 percent less impact on land use than a quarter pound of U.S. beef. Additionally, Beyond Meat even teams up with other eco-friendly brands like Subway and Dunkin’ Donuts to bring more of its products to consumers.
One of the well-known online marketplaces in the world, Amazon has committed to always bring the best for its consumers and the environment by fulfilling its environmental and social responsibility. Amazon dedicated sustainability hub that allows the company to share information about its relentless commitment to being like other environmentally friendly businesses. The data initiative shows the investment that this company is making into overcoming key obstacles that prevent other businesses from succeeding in their eco-friendly companies.
Not only does Apple draw public attention when launching the newest iPhone series, the company also attracts consumer’s attention with its green initiatives.
Apple has taken additional steps to prove that it does care about the environment by launching iPhone 11 that is 100 percent made from recycled aluminium. Apple also uses various recycled components within the internal elements of the phone too. In addition, the company allows owners of existing iPhone to switch their old model out for something new. This is interesting for iPhone lovers, as they will not only help the environment but also help save their budget to get a new phone.
Nike received a noble in Morgan Stanley’s list in 2015 as the most sustainable clothing and footwear brands. According to the report, the success is because of the company’s robust disclosure about its supply chain and production practices. Nike also gives its designers to make green choices with an application that helps the designers compare the environmental footprint of different fabrics. Nike’s company is also committed to bringing a better tomorrow by minimising its impact on carbon and energy, waste, water, and chemistry.
Starting from its supply chain, IKEA, one of the best eco-friendly companies, has always invested in sustainability throughout its entire business operations. IKEA’s products are also made from 50 percent of sustainable wood and 100 percent of its cotton from farms that meet the Better Cotton standards. Thus, the products are environmentally friendly which reduce water, energy, and chemical fertilisers and pesticides. The Guardian also reported that IKEA has a goal to be powered by 100 percent renewables by 2020. IKEA also upped the ante aiming to be a net energy exporter at the same time.
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