Avoid sustainability becoming greenwashing!
At ECOHouse, we uncover issues related to greenwashing on a daily basis In practice
This is done by
Sustainability
No more hot air, please - just provide meaningful action
It has gradually become very popular to draw up or adhere to a code of conduct that addresses issues such as child labor, working conditions, sustainability and much more.
The intention is good, and it is also an important first step, but over the years - because this is nothing new - we have learned that there are a number of challenges that must be addressed in practice so that it does not just stay with the nice words.
When ECOHouse works with CSR and sustainability, we help write policies, but we also ensure that actions and activities are linked. The policies must be anchored in concrete activities that make real sense and that can be measured in one way or another. In addition, we make sure that there are no unresolved or unidentified problems in other areas that could become a problem later - e.g. in connection with waste management and recycling
Greenwashing
Greenwashing is highly competitive and certainly not sustainable.
No one is in doubt anymore that the environment and climate is part of every conceivable agenda. It's hard to open your mailbox without being inundated with great deals on bio-green-sustainable 100% recycled and reusable products without the content of the now hated plastic. It has not made it easier to be a consumer; nor has it certainly made it any easier to be a buyer or decision maker in the B2B world.
What should you choose when you as a potential customer are offered a 100% plant-based drinking bottle without plastic or a compostable coffee cup? What requirements must you make as a customer or buyer? And how do you know if a product meets the requirements?
At ECOHouse, we have seen an increasing tendency for purchasers and decision-makers at our customers to settle for some relatively general requirements.
2. It is excellent to deal with child labor and environmental issues globally. But this must not mean that no one is interested in whether the company's products are safe and whether the company complies with current legislation in relation to, for example, product testing and product documentation. Unfortunately, we see a number of examples of companies having beautiful politics in nice areas, but putting CE marks on their products without any kind of assurance should not be neglected.
3. Last but not least: When a company demands of its suppliers that they comply with the company's code of conduct, one must consider whether all parts of a code of conduct are equally relevant in all situations and whether or not were other requirements that were more relevant.