The most recent issue, having put a serious emphasis not only on animals’ wellbeing but our own as well, would be the environmental effect plastic and pollution have. We have already seen the astonishing pictures of turtles and other animals being killed by straws, cups and other waste, result of negligent human behaviour. Moreover, the waste pollution is a big issue and thankfully, a lot of big brands are implementing ideas to reduce the plastic usage that could influence the general public’s behaviour. These are some big brands making environmental improvements:
1. Starbucks
One of the biggest worldwide coffee retailers, Starbucks Corporation, has recently decided to introduce a new version of their cups that are used for serving cold beverages. The new “sippy cup” would gradually replace the previous one, enabling consumers to buy the cold drinks without having the need to use a straw, which has been found as one of the biggest threats to different environmental habitats. Moreover, in terms of usage of cutlery, many of Starbucks coffee shops are not displaying the plastic forks and knives, unless a customer specifically asks for them. That is a great way to reduce waste, as the cutlery would be out of sight and people would be less likely to consider using them. Furthermore, there are reusable cups available, just at the price of £1, which aim to reduce the usage of the disposable ones. At the beginning of the year, Starbucks started charging 5p for its single use cups.
2. Waitrose
The supermarket, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, is another company that has introduced the usage of their own-brand reusable cups or charging 25p for using a disposable one. The retailer can offer free coffee or tea from its self-service machines in the supermarket, only if the customer brings their own cup. Another way in which the company aims to become more environmentally conscious is by using less plastic in its own-brand products.
3. Iceland
The experts in frozen food delivery have revolutionised the supermarket industry as they are going to be the first company to remove palm oil from its own-brand products. Palm oil is set to be a great cause for deforestation of the tropical rainforests of south-east Asia. As a result, that can have a drastic influence on the extiction of species of animals such as the orangutan. Various industries have promoted the idea of “sustainable” palm oil, but the managing directior of Iceland, Richard Walker, did not believe in such idea. Having been recently to Indonesia, Walker was shocked by the demand of production of palm oil and believes it should be everyone’s concern, due to the environmental devastation it causes.
4. Coca-Cola
The worldwide fizzy drinks giant has pledged to collect and recycle the total equivalent of the packaging it produces by 2030. By the same period of time, they will to make all of its packaging from approximately 50% recycled content. Also, the company has decided to invest more in the production of higher quality packaging.
5. Marks and Spencer
The company has already become the first UK retailer to be fully “carbon neutral”, after reducing energy usage by 28% through more efficient refrigeration and counting renewable energy tariffs. Moreover, the retailer recycles now 100% of its waste, 89% food waste going straight to anaerobic digestors to generate energy and the rest is composted. By 2020, the company has big ambitions to take the environmental causes further.
There is no doubt that the current environmental issues are a major 21st century problem that has resulted in serious climate change. Hopefully, the good examples these major companies have set can influence not just other brands but us as consumers as well.
> Maria Baeva
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