The Purpose-Action Gap: The Business Imperative of ESG

In a recent study, we discovered shifts in thinking from both brand and consumer values: The gap between what they believe and how they are acting on such beliefs is narrowing, particularly when brands make sustainability accessible and affordable. For the last few years, purpose has dominated marketing conversations and become an important aspiration for…

Digital technology, green finance in vogue among fashion’s sustainability trendsetters

The key to long-term success in the fashion industry is to start trends and continually push the envelope — a philosophy that also applies to its ESG priorities. The $2.5 trillion industry accounts for about 8 percent of the world’s carbon emissions when considering the entire value chain — higher than the entire iron and…

How to harmonize the sustainability reporting of your business unit with your parent company

Part of international company Engie Group, Engie North America is a power generator, energy services company and retail electricity supplier committed to shaping a more sustainable future throughout the United States and Canada. In 2019, our business unit produced its inaugural sustainability report to provide more localized, relevant performance data and better connect with our local stakeholders….

Starbucks Begins Market Tests on Recyclable and Compostable Cups

This month, Starbucks begins its first market tests of a recyclable and compostable hot cups as part of the NextGen Cup Challenge, which seeks to address single-use packaging waste by developing an industry-wide recyclable and compostable to-go cup solution. This is a step forward in the company’s journey to better manage its waste by ensuring more reuse and recycling….

Global Recycled PET Market Set to Nearly Double by 2029

The global market for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is expected to almost double between 2019 and 2029, reaching $4.7 billion, according to a new report. Future Market Insights looked at historical demand for this particular form of recycled plastic from 2014–2018, and used that analysis to forecast statistics for 2019–2029. The increase is likely to…

H&M Launches Line of Athletic-Wear from ‘More Sustainable Fabrics’

Fashion retailer H&M has partnered with Sydney-based brand P.E. Nation for a line of athletic-wear made with more sustainable materials, the company announced. The line will feature P.E. Nation items reimagined in “more sustainable fabrics,” according to H&M. These include organic cotton and recycled polyester. The line includes activewear, T-shirts, swimwear and undergarments.  H&M recently…

Nike Designed 2020 Olympic Apparel and Footwear for Minimal Waste

Nike presented new athletic apparel and footwear this week for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The collections for competition and medal ceremonies feature sustainable materials and were designed for minimal waste, the company said. A medal ceremony collection for Team USA reimagines the company’s Windrunner jacket using 100% recycled polyester. Nike said that the Japanese kimono-inspired…

How to shape your sustainability story

I’ve been working in sustainability marketing — helping companies communicate about what they’re doing on sustainability in order to drive brand preference and sales — for 15 years. I used to spend a lot of time trying to convince executives of the power of sustainability as a lever: to attract and retain employees, to drive…

Wrangler Digs into Science for Sustainable Cotton Sourcing: Q&A with Roian Atwood

Most sustainable cotton management frameworks just skim the surface. The leaders at Wrangler wanted to dig deeper. The American denim brand sought to understand the actual effects of cotton farming on the environment. “Even the organizations that are trying to do something meaningful find themselves tripped up. If you highlight a ‘sustainable’ cotton, that means…

AB InBev Turns ‘Leftover’ Alcohol into Biofuel

The AB InBev European headquarters is sending the leftover alcohol from the creation of its low- and no-alcohol beers to a biofuel plant in Belgium where its is converted into fuel. Alcohol left over from the brewing of 85 beers is enough to create one liter of biofuel, writes The Drinks Business. The brewer is…