Tag: 3BL

As I reflect on another year of delivering meaningful impact in our communities, our work has hewed closely to our mission and The Clorox Company’s purpose — we champion people to be well and thrive, every single day — always leading with love.

For us, this starts with living our values every day, especially “do the right thing” and “put people at the center.” It’s about prioritizing people’s well-being, fostering supportive and inclusive spaces and making decisions that consider the broader impact on teammates, consumers and communities. We live in dynamic, complex times, but through it all we remain focused on serving others with deep compassion, generosity and allyship.

How does this come to life in our work? The programs we fund champion today’s young people with literacy and STEM initiatives that help create a foundation for academic success. Through robust partnerships we also provide resources and mentorship to support youth development. And we help advance racial and environmental justice through education, training, equal access to justice and economic empowerment for marginalized communities.

Leading with love is also a spirit embodied by our teammates, who not only help create new pathways to address societal challenges but do so in a way that seeks to make the world a better place. Last year over half of them contributed through our GIFT campaign, while they also dedicated thousands of hours of their time volunteering for the causes that matter to them most. It’s reflected in the support we give to communities impacted by natural disasters as well.

As we prepare to mark our 45th anniversary next year, we will look back with pride on how we’ve served as a force for good in our communities. While a lot has changed since 1980, one thing has remained constant: our belief in leading with love.

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Founded in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation has a mission to foster healthy and inclusive communities so people can be well and thrive. Learn more and check out this year’s report here.

Teva Pharmaceuticals is proud to share that our Community Routes: Access to Mental Health Care U.S. access program, in partnership with Direct Relief and NAFC (National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics), has been recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation 25th annual Citizens Award as the 2024 Best Health & Wellness Program winner.

Advancing access to quality medicines is part of Teva’s global sustainability strategy. Through this partnership, Teva USA is donating fund and a portfolio of medicines for the treatment of anxiety and depression to help address the rising need for community-based mental health care for uninsured and underserved populations.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation senior vice president Marc DeCourcey said, “We are proud to recognize Teva for its leadership in addressing a critical issue facing communities. Through their partnership with Direct Relief and the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics to enhance mental and behavioral health care, they are improving the lives of countless individuals.”

“Access to affordable medicines and behavioral health services are obstacles faced every day by uninsured patients” said Carol Richardson, ESG and Health Equity Lead, Teva US. “Through Community Routes, grantee clinics are developing innovative behavioral health programs that meet the cultural and linguistic needs of their local patient populations.”

The access program’s framework is intentionally designed to be local and partner/clinic-driven to meet the health care, cultural and linguistic needs of the local patient population. Teva and its partners recently convened at a Grantee Learning Summit to share insights and learnings and inform the development of a best practices report to be distributed across NAFC’s network of 1,400+ clinics to help even more patients.

Community Routes is one of eight programs Teva has launched worldwide to increase access to medicines for vulnerable populations, including programs in Malawi, Botswana, Uganda, Ghana, Israel and France. Teva leverages its portfolio, global footprint and experienced partners to get its medicines to underserved populations. This award recognizes businesses across a variety of industries for remarkable leadership in solving the world’s biggest challenges and serving as a force of good in society. Receiving this honor is a testament to Teva’s Healthy Future Sustainability strategy reflecting our actions to care for people, the planet and our business at large.

Teva Pharmaceuticals is proud to share that our Community Routes: Access to Mental Health Care U.S. access program, in partnership with Direct Relief and NAFC (National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics), has been recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation 25th annual Citizens Award as the 2024 Best Health & Wellness Program winner.

Advancing access to quality medicines is part of Teva’s global sustainability strategy. Through this partnership, Teva USA is donating fund and a portfolio of medicines for the treatment of anxiety and depression to help address the rising need for community-based mental health care for uninsured and underserved populations.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation senior vice president Marc DeCourcey said, “We are proud to recognize Teva for its leadership in addressing a critical issue facing communities. Through their partnership with Direct Relief and the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics to enhance mental and behavioral health care, they are improving the lives of countless individuals.”

“Access to affordable medicines and behavioral health services are obstacles faced every day by uninsured patients” said Carol Richardson, ESG and Health Equity Lead, Teva US. “Through Community Routes, grantee clinics are developing innovative behavioral health programs that meet the cultural and linguistic needs of their local patient populations.”

The access program’s framework is intentionally designed to be local and partner/clinic-driven to meet the health care, cultural and linguistic needs of the local patient population. Teva and its partners recently convened at a Grantee Learning Summit to share insights and learnings and inform the development of a best practices report to be distributed across NAFC’s network of 1,400+ clinics to help even more patients.

Community Routes is one of eight programs Teva has launched worldwide to increase access to medicines for vulnerable populations, including programs in Malawi, Botswana, Uganda, Ghana, Israel and France. Teva leverages its portfolio, global footprint and experienced partners to get its medicines to underserved populations. This award recognizes businesses across a variety of industries for remarkable leadership in solving the world’s biggest challenges and serving as a force of good in society. Receiving this honor is a testament to Teva’s Healthy Future Sustainability strategy reflecting our actions to care for people, the planet and our business at large.

Originally published in International Paper’s Thinking Inside the Box whitepaper

In the last century alone, material changes to the average standard of living have dramatically improved human health and well-being worldwide. These changes come at a cost, and the looming issue—troubling scientists and researchers as far back as the 1960s —is the collective reliance on intensive greenhouse gas (GHG) producing processes to maintain a modern lifestyle. While a large part of our GHG impact comes from the sources of energy we use, our consumption of materials – the way we make and use products and food – are responsible for the remainder of emissions.1

Since 2018, the earth has consumed over half a trillion metric tons of materials, which is “nearly as much as the entire 20th century combined”.2 This challenge—what the Circle Economy Foundation refers to as the “circularity gap” — highlights the urgent need for the transition to a more circular economy to achieve broader societal and environmental goals.

The Circle Economy Foundation identifies four global systems that put the most pressure on key “planetary boundaries”, or measures of impacts to the earth’s environmental health for which the world currently exceeds its limits. The first global system is the food system, which is the largest driver of land-use change causing globally significant biodiversity loss and contributing to one-third of GHG emissions. The second system is built environment, which is responsible for 40% of global GHG emissions, one-quarter of land system change and contributes to water stress.  The third is manufactured goods, which contribute primarily to pollution and climate change through heavy material- and energy-intensive industrial activities at the production level. The fourth global system, and no less important than the other three, is transportation and mobility, which account for 25% of GHG emissions globally, through high fossil fuel use, and drive land use change and biodiversity loss.3

Packaging is involved at every stage of these four global systems. Producers and recyclers of sustainable packaging such as International Paper can affect positive environmental change across each of these global systems. By using experience and expertise in the sustainable material space, as well as innovation in product design to increase recyclability and reusability, we are already working to replace single-use materials with sustainable, recyclable and adaptable packaging.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation highlights how applying circular economy principles to the way we make and use products can not only create value, but also significantly reduce global emissions:4

• By eliminating waste and pollution, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain

• By circulating products and materials, we retain their embodied energy

• By regenerating nature, we sequester carbon in soil and products

Through continuous innovation, sustainable infrastructure development and circular design, a future is possible in which high standards of living are maintained while minimizing environmental impact.

Download International Paper’s white paper to learn more about the challenges associated with transitioning to a lower carbon economy and the sustainable advantages of fiber-based packaging.

About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of sustainable packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of the world’s largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what’s next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2023 were $18.9 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com/.

About International Paper – EMEA

In Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), International Paper focuses on the production and marketing of fiber-based packaging and specialty pulp, employing approximately 4,400 people. As a leading supplier of high-quality corrugated containers for a multitude of applications, we serve customers throughout the region from our network of two recycled containerboard mills and 23 box plants in France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Specialty pulp is made in Gdansk, Poland. Other products available from International Paper in the region include a variety of Kraft linerboard and other pulp products.
 

[1] Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Completing the picture: How the circular economy tackles climate change (2019) [link]
[2] Circle Economy Foundation, Circularity Gap Report 2024 (2024)
[3] Circle Economy Foundation – Circularity Gap Report 2023 (2023) 
[4] Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Completing the picture: How the circular economy tackles climate change (2019) [link]

Originally published in International Paper’s Thinking Inside the Box whitepaper

In the last century alone, material changes to the average standard of living have dramatically improved human health and well-being worldwide. These changes come at a cost, and the looming issue—troubling scientists and researchers as far back as the 1960s —is the collective reliance on intensive greenhouse gas (GHG) producing processes to maintain a modern lifestyle. While a large part of our GHG impact comes from the sources of energy we use, our consumption of materials – the way we make and use products and food – are responsible for the remainder of emissions.1

Since 2018, the earth has consumed over half a trillion metric tons of materials, which is “nearly as much as the entire 20th century combined”.2 This challenge—what the Circle Economy Foundation refers to as the “circularity gap” — highlights the urgent need for the transition to a more circular economy to achieve broader societal and environmental goals.

The Circle Economy Foundation identifies four global systems that put the most pressure on key “planetary boundaries”, or measures of impacts to the earth’s environmental health for which the world currently exceeds its limits. The first global system is the food system, which is the largest driver of land-use change causing globally significant biodiversity loss and contributing to one-third of GHG emissions. The second system is built environment, which is responsible for 40% of global GHG emissions, one-quarter of land system change and contributes to water stress.  The third is manufactured goods, which contribute primarily to pollution and climate change through heavy material- and energy-intensive industrial activities at the production level. The fourth global system, and no less important than the other three, is transportation and mobility, which account for 25% of GHG emissions globally, through high fossil fuel use, and drive land use change and biodiversity loss.3

Packaging is involved at every stage of these four global systems. Producers and recyclers of sustainable packaging such as International Paper can affect positive environmental change across each of these global systems. By using experience and expertise in the sustainable material space, as well as innovation in product design to increase recyclability and reusability, we are already working to replace single-use materials with sustainable, recyclable and adaptable packaging.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation highlights how applying circular economy principles to the way we make and use products can not only create value, but also significantly reduce global emissions:4

• By eliminating waste and pollution, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain

• By circulating products and materials, we retain their embodied energy

• By regenerating nature, we sequester carbon in soil and products

Through continuous innovation, sustainable infrastructure development and circular design, a future is possible in which high standards of living are maintained while minimizing environmental impact.

Download International Paper’s white paper to learn more about the challenges associated with transitioning to a lower carbon economy and the sustainable advantages of fiber-based packaging.

About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of sustainable packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of the world’s largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what’s next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2023 were $18.9 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com/.

About International Paper – EMEA

In Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), International Paper focuses on the production and marketing of fiber-based packaging and specialty pulp, employing approximately 4,400 people. As a leading supplier of high-quality corrugated containers for a multitude of applications, we serve customers throughout the region from our network of two recycled containerboard mills and 23 box plants in France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Specialty pulp is made in Gdansk, Poland. Other products available from International Paper in the region include a variety of Kraft linerboard and other pulp products.
 

[1] Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Completing the picture: How the circular economy tackles climate change (2019) [link]
[2] Circle Economy Foundation, Circularity Gap Report 2024 (2024)
[3] Circle Economy Foundation – Circularity Gap Report 2023 (2023) 
[4] Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Completing the picture: How the circular economy tackles climate change (2019) [link]

Originally published on The National Park Foundation

The National Park Foundation (NPF) and Subaru of America are celebrating 11 years of partnership and nearly a decade of collaboration to address waste reduction and support public awareness efforts in national parks through the Don’t Feed the Landfills initiative.

In coordination with the National Park Service (NPS) and National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), NPF and Subaru of America have invested in recycling operations, composting, public education and outreach, and waste reduction analysis across the National Park System. Since launching in 2015, over 24 million pounds of waste has been eliminated from landfills while increasing recycling best practices among visitors.

“The values shared by the National Park Foundation and Subaru help us ensure we can continue to support innovative solutions as we look to make parks models of conservation and preservation,” said Dawn Rodney, chief external affairs officer, National Park Foundation. “Together with partners, we can reduce the environmental impact and protect our parks’ resources for the enjoyment of visitors – today, tomorrow, and in the future.”

The initiative launched at three of the country’s most iconic national parks – Denali National Park and Preserve, Grand Teton National Park, and Yosemite National Park in collaboration with nearly 60 park partners. These early efforts provided a comprehensive waste reduction roadmap for the initiative to expand to more parks including Zion and Big Bend.

Due to increased visitation and limited landfill space, Big Bend National Park was looking for long-term interventions and solutions that would ensure their ability to keep the park clean. Through the Don’t Feed the Landfills initiative and Subaru and NPF’s support, the park was able to address these issues by expanding centralized recycling center operations, dedicating part-time or seasonal staff to improving recycling efforts, installing more and/or larger recycling bins at campgrounds to improve utilization, replacing faded recycling labels with durable and more legible signage, and much more.

“Along with our partners, Subaru is committed to leaving a legacy of protecting and conserving the earth for future generations,” said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc. “We’re proud to have worked hand-in-hand with the National Park Foundation to divert millions of pounds of waste through this initiative. Together, we’re dedicated to reducing waste, conserving resources, and preserving natural spaces as we work towards a more sustainable future for all.”

In addition to resilience and sustainability work, and as the largest corporate partner of the National Park Foundation, Subaru of America has provided over $65 million in support to protect national parks since 2013. During that time, Subaru of America has funded projects to expand access in national parks for historically excluded communities, supporting groups like Black People Who Hike, who have hiked six parks across the country.

As part of the partnership, and for the 12th consecutive year in a row, the National Park Foundation (NPF) is participating as a national charity partner beneficiary in the 2024 Subaru Share the Love® Event. Running from November 21, 2024, through January 2, 2025, the campaign connects people everywhere to the value of experiencing the outdoors together and provides the opportunity to give back to national parks across the country. Through the annual Subaru Share the Love Event, Subaru of America continues to help support the National Park Foundation by providing critical funding to programs and projects that help protect America’s more than 430+ national parks.

Learn more about the 2024 Share the Love Event and Subaru’s support of NPF’s important work.

About the National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate, and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at nationalparks.org.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $320 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 100,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.

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With the implementation of the CBAM, companies importing goods into the European Union are facing a significant shift in the regulatory landscape. Designed as part of the EU’s Green Deal, CBAM aims to create a level playing field by pricing carbon emissions embedded in imported goods.

In practice, it means that businesses will need to track and report their carbon footprints meticulously, while managing the financial impact of carbon tariffs at the border. To help you better understand what this means for your business, we’ve outlined the key aspects of CBAM, the reporting requirements you need to prepare for, and the strategic steps you can take to align your operations with these new regulations.

What Is the CBAM?

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is an EU policy designed to impose a carbon price on imports to the region. Essentially, it extends the EU’s existing carbon pricing rules to goods coming from outside its borders: If your products generate significant carbon emissions during production, you’ll face a carbon tariff when bringing them into the EU.

So why does this matter? The EU’s goal with CBAM is twofold.

First, it’s an effort to level the playing field for EU-based companies that already adhere to strict carbon regulations. Without CBAM, these businesses could be undercut by foreign competitors with less stringent environmental standards.

Second, CBAM is intended to encourage global decarbonization. By attaching a financial cost to carbon emissions, the EU hopes to drive sustainable practices beyond its borders, pushing global industries to invest in cleaner technologies and reduce their overall carbon footprint.

CBAM is not just an EU-centric regulation; it has global implications. Companies exporting goods to the EU must now consider the carbon footprint of their products, as these will be subject to the same carbon pricing as products produced within the EU. CBAM is designed to prevent “carbon leakage,” where production might shift to countries with less stringent climate policies. This means that non-EU companies must align their carbon strategies with EU standards to maintain market access.

Benefits of CBAM

Anew Global, a member of the Inogen Alliance, offers CBAM reporting training to help businesses fully understand and prepare for the reality of this new reporting structure. With this insight, they have outlined the benefits of CBAM implementation.

These benefits include:

Laying a foundation for compliance, helping companies prepare for mandatory CBAM requirements during the transition phase (Oct 2023 – Dec 2025).Linking carbon data to CBAM certificates, which allows for accurate emissions tracking and the potential to reduce carbon pricing costs.Supporting competitive supplier selection by enabling companies to provide emissions data, even if they don’t export directly to the EU.Encouraging factories to benchmark emissions, aiding early energy-saving initiatives and reducing potential carbon tax obligations.

Key Aspects of the CBAM Regulation

The CBAM regulation targets industries with high carbon footprints, focusing initially on sectors like cement, steel, aluminum, fertilizers, and electricity. These industries were chosen because they represent a significant share of global emissions, and they’re essential to many supply chains. Companies importing goods from these sectors into the EU should be prepared for the financial implications of this policy.

Timeline

CBAM is being rolled out in phases, with 2024 marking a critical transition period. During this time, importers will be required to report the emissions embedded in their goods without facing actual financial adjustments. This phase is designed to allow businesses to get familiar with the reporting requirements and adjust their processes accordingly. From 2026 onwards, however, carbon tariffs come into full effect, requiring companies to pay based on their imported products’ carbon footprints.

Source: Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Explained for Businesses

Reporting requirements

CBAM hinges on accurate and transparent emissions reporting. Companies will need to track direct and indirect emissions from production and supply chains, ensuring that all relevant data is collected and verified. This means setting up systems to capture emissions data for each imported good, adhering to specific calculation methodologies outlined by the EU.

Accuracy is key; businesses that underestimate or misreport their emissions could face fines or increased scrutiny from regulators. Preparing robust data collection and verification processes now will be crucial to ensuring compliance once the financial implications come into play.

Preparing for CBAM Reporting: Best Practices

To navigate the upcoming CBAM requirements successfully, businesses need a proactive approach to managing data, assessing risks, and embracing digital solutions. Here are some best practices to help your organization prepare.

Establish accurate data collection systems

A cornerstone of CBAM compliance is having precise and reliable emissions data. Start by setting up or enhancing your existing data tracking systems to ensure comprehensive monitoring of carbon emissions throughout your supply chain. This involves gathering emissions data not from your direct operations as well as from third-party suppliers and partners.

Establish clear protocols for data collection, verification, and storage, with dedicated teams or automated systems to handle these processes. It’s crucial to stay aligned with EU-approved methodologies for calculating emissions, as discrepancies can lead to compliance issues or financial penalties.

Conduct comprehensive risk assessments

With CBAM set to add financial costs to imports based on their carbon footprint, understanding where potential risks lie is vital. Conduct a detailed risk assessment to identify which parts of your supply chain are the most carbon-intensive and where your business could face significant cost increases.

This analysis should also consider market volatility and price fluctuations in carbon credits, as these could directly affect your operational expenses. Assessing these risks early will allow you to develop cost mitigation strategies, renegotiate contracts with suppliers if necessary, or explore alternative sourcing options that are more carbon-efficient.

Implement technology solutions for compliance

Digital solutions can streamline CBAM compliance by automating data collection, calculating emissions, and generating compliance reports. Look into platforms designed specifically for environmental reporting, such as carbon management software or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems with integrated sustainability modules.

These tools can help centralize your emissions data, reduce manual input errors, and provide real-time insights into your carbon footprint. Advanced analytics and AI-driven forecasting can offer predictive insights, helping you anticipate the impact of future regulatory changes and adapt your strategies accordingly. Investing in the right technology now can save you time, reduce errors, and keep your business ahead of compliance demands.

Final Takeaways: Staying Ahead of CBAM Regulations

The introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism signals a major shift in how the EU is addressing global carbon emissions, and the stakes are high for companies importing goods into the region. 

The time to act is now. 

Waiting until the last minute to prepare for these new requirements could not only result in compliance issues but also lead to financial penalties and strained supplier relationships. Taking proactive steps today — building reliable data systems, assessing risks, and leveraging the right technology — you can stay ahead of these regulations and turn compliance into a strategic advantage for your business.

Start Preparing Now

Now is the best time to prepare for the future financial impact of CBAM. Begin by reviewing your current emissions tracking and reporting processes to identify any gaps or areas for improvement. Consider engaging with sustainability experts who can help you refine your strategies, align your operations with CBAM requirements, and explore ways to lower your carbon footprint throughout your supply chain.

For more on upcoming EU regulations to watch, check out our blog here including the Drinking Water Directive, Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and Packaging Reduction Regulation.

Thanks to our Global Sustainability Working Group for expertise and inputs on this topic and teams at ESC and Anew Global Consulting.

If you’re looking for more detailed insights on navigating these changes, explore our additional resources on global sustainability reporting.

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of dozens of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates here and follow us on LinkedIn.

I can’t help but think about the world my daughter Skye and her generation will inherit. From the moment I first held her in my arms, I instantly knew two things to be true: I will never be able to fully shield her from the world, but heck if I’m not going to try anyway. As a mother, and as a conservationist who has spent the last 18 years dedicated to ending plastic pollution’s chokehold on our planet, I fear for my daughter’s future as never before. And yet, at the same time, I have never been more hopeful.

Recent years have seen a groundswell of support for bold solutions to this growing challenge. Polling shows 85% of Americans view plastic waste as a serious problem and support bold and immediate action to address it. In Congress, legislation such as the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act and the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act has been advancing with strong bipartisan support. A growing number of major companies, including The Coca-Cola Company, Mars, Incorporated and Starbucks—all members of the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty—are calling for collective action to combat plastic waste. And on the world stage, negotiators from nearly every nation are currently working on a draft Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution that aims to halt the flow of plastic into nature by 2040.

All this momentum could be lost if we take our foot off the accelerator for even a second. The treaty negotiations could still fall apart – as the fourth of five rounds of negotiations fell short of expectations in Ottawa this past April. Legislation could lose momentum in Congress. And in the meantime, the relentless tide of pollution will continue to build, suffocating marine life and despoiling our landscapes. Right now, as I pen these words, the equivalent of a dump truck’s worth of plastic is flowing into our oceans every minute. Within the next 20 years, the volume of plastic entering our oceans is projected to triple.

This isn’t just about unsightly litter. Human health and the health of the ecosystems that sustain us are on the line. As evidence for this claim, I could bombard you with dozens more grim statistics, or I could simply invite you to visit folks living in “Cancer Alley,” a 184-mile region along the Mississippi River where you’ll find nearly 400 industrial facilities, including manufacturers of chemicals and petroleum used in plastic production. You can deduce how the region earned its name, and you can find many more like it across the US and around the world.

An effective global plastics treaty would go a long way toward addressing this crisis, in part by creating a framework of common goals and standards that ensure plastic material and products retain their value at every stage of their life cycle, keeping them forever circulating in the economy instead of allowing them to end up as trash in our oceans and other natural systems. Right now, the US lead the world in the production of plastic waste, a dubious honor that underscores the magnitude of our responsibility.

Of course, few things in life are free, and the task of revamping the global economy is no exception. But there are already innovative financing solutions on the table. A leading contender is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a policy tool that would shift the cost of plastic products’ end-of-life-management to the producers that make them. This would help fund the processing and recycling of plastic, but it would also have the effect of incentivizing more sustainable designs, thereby reducing the amount of problematic plastic that enters the economy in the first place. The concept has already been tested in a few states and there is rising interest in Congress for legislation that would establish a federal EPR framework.

When my daughter Skye was younger, she hated the fact that I had to often travel for my work. She once told me that she knew my job was to save the world, but she wished I would choose her instead. Now that she is older, she understands that as I head to Busan, South Korea this week for the final round of plastic treaty negotiations, my fight to end plastic pollution is very much about choosing her.

And so, to the world leaders, CEOs and the other powers-that-be, many of whom are parents, my message is simple. The world is watching. choose a future free of plastic pollution. Choose your children.

In a world confronted with the urgent realities of finite resources and environmental impact, the need to transition from a linear to a circular economy is more pressing than ever. The consumer goods and retail (C&R) industry, with its substantial reliance on primary raw materials and its significant environmental footprint, has a crucial role to play in this transition.

In this report, we examine the progress of the C&R sector towards circularity. By analyzing six key areas, the report provides a snapshot of the industry’s readiness across its different sub-sectors, highlights leading practices, and offers recommendations for accelerating the shift to a circular economy.

From talk to action

Paving the way for a circular economy in the consumer goods and retail industry

Download full report

Download executive summary

Circularity brings significant opportunities for C&R to reimagine the future.

Embracing circularity is not just an environmental imperative for C&R businesses — it’s a strategic opportunity to unlock new value and build resilience. From the more efficient use of resources, more resilient supply chains, lower operational costs, through to innovative new business models, synergies and collaborations, we believe it’s an opportunity too costly to ignore.

Key recommendations for accelerating circularity

Our research reveals that while many C&R companies have circular ambitions, translating those ambitions into action requires a focused approach. Here are some key recommendations by sub-sector:

Consumer electronics

The consumer electronics sector demonstrates strong circularity readiness, ranking first across multiple indicators, highlighting its willingness to embedding circular practices.Scaling up existing pilot take-back programs across broader geographies and product categories is crucial for the sector to achieve a more significant and lasting impact and to recover precious raw materials from existing electronic waste.Translating ambitious circularity goals into actionable implementation roadmaps and measurable targets will be essential for driving continued progress in the sector.

Fashion

The fashion industry demonstrates strong progress in setting ambitious circularity goals and fostering collaboration, but needs to translate these ambitions into broader implementation and tangible outcomes.Key opportunities for the sector include improving transparency and traceability of materials, increasing the use of recycled raw materials within the industry, and tackling overproduction through circular business models like rental, resale, and repair.Embracing digital product passports, promoting safe material choices, and adopting demand-driven production models will be crucial for advancing circularity in fashion.

Food and beverage

The food and beverage sector excels in collaborative initiatives and communicating a clear circular vision, but faces challenges in improving resource inflow management and reducing food waste at the production and consumption stages.Prioritizing regenerative agriculture practices, implementing nature-based solutions to have more resilient supply chains, and rethinking packaging strategies are crucial steps for the sector.Educating consumers on waste reduction and leveraging technology to manage supply and demand will be essential for achieving a circular food and beverage industry.

Furniture

While demonstrating a commitment to resource efficiency and circular design principles, the furniture sector’s progress is hampered by a lack of ambitious targets and limited cross-industry collaboration.Furniture companies should prioritize due diligence in sourcing sustainable materials, explore new production and sales models that emphasize durability and reuse, and actively participate in sectoral coalitions to advance circularity.Embracing modular design, promoting furniture-as-a-service models, and strengthening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs will be key to unlocking circularity in the furniture sector.

Home and personal care

The home & personal care sector has an opportunity to strengthen its circularity ambitions and embrace a more unified approach.Simplifying packaging to enhance recyclability, piloting and scaling up take-back programs to to promote circularity, and empowering consumers to adopt circular practices with reusable or refillable items are crucial areas for improvement.Standardizing packaging designs, investing in robust collection and recycling infrastructure will be essential for driving circularity in the sector.

Luxury goods

The luxury goods sector is making good progress in setting circular ambitions and piloting circular business models, but can further enhance its performance by strengthening target-setting, collaboration, and circular design practices.Luxury brands should prioritize the responsible sourcing of raw materials, leverage technology to enhance transparency and traceability, and fully integrate circular targets into their business strategies.Embracing longevity and repairability as brand attributes, and capitalizing on the growing pre-owned market will be key to advancing circularity in the luxury goods sector.

Retail

While demonstrating progress in setting circular goals and engaging in collaborative initiatives, the retail sector faces challenges in improving resource inflow management and fully embracing circular product offerings.Retailers should prioritize the design and promotion of circular products and further explore innovative business models that extend product and packaging lifecycles.Collaborating with suppliers to enhance product sustainability, educating consumers on circular practices, and embracing digital technologies to optimize resource use and reduce waste will be crucial for advancing circularity in retail.

How KPMG can help

01 
Circular economy strategy development:

Circular economy strategy development is not a far-fetched goal, but a realistic ambition. We offer expert guidance to define strategies that are sustainable and profitable, ensuring they align with your business objectives, industry context, and market opportunities. 

02 
Circular economy measurement and steering:

Effective circularity transformation relies on data-driven insights. We provide the tools and sector expertise to help you track your circular performance, measure impact, and make informed decisions to optimize your strategy.

03 
Operational Transformation:

Translating circular ambitions into operational reality is a challenge that requires a structured approach. Our execution and delivery services simplify the complexity of adopting circular practices, helping you transform your operations, engage your supply chain, and embed circular practices into your business DNA.

04 
Circular maturity assessments:

Understanding your starting point can be crucial for effective circular transformation. Leveraging our robust assessment framework, we provide tailored circular maturity readiness assessments that pinpoint strengths, identify risks and opportunities, and chart a clear path forward on your circularity journey.

Ready to unlock the potential of a circular economy? Contact us today to discuss how KPMG can help your business thrive in a circular future.

From talk to action 
Paving the way for a circular economy in the consumer goods and retail industry

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by Andrew Keesee of Trailhead Capital

Trailhead Capital is a Denver, CO based venture capital firm investing in the regenerative future of food and agriculture through its $50M Regeneration Fund I LP, which has made 27 investments since launching in April of 2021.

The Regenerative Agriculture niche of the VC market is put into even further perspective when taking into account global food & agriculture’s contributions to certain environmental decay accounting for up to 34 percent of global GHG emissions, 80 percent of global deforestation, and 70 percent of freshwater usage. We believe that regenerative agriculture practices, and more specifically tech-enabled solutions promoting such practices, can help turn agriculture from a carbon source to a carbon sink, replenish our waterways through healthier and more absorbent soil, improve the quality of food consumed, and allow biodiversity to thrive across our lands, all while improving the way food and other raw materials are produced and delivered to end consumers.

Trailhead is looking to capitalize on this outsized opportunity set by creating a positive impact throughout its portfolio where over 30M acres of land are already being impacted by its portfolio companies, 24.3 MT of carbon is being sequestered from the atmosphere, and 445M gallons of water are being conserved thanks to the technologies and innovations these companies provide to farmers, ranchers, and other land stewards.

Read Andrew’s full article here – https://greenmoney.com/venture-capital-investing-in-regenerative-agriculture

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