Question

Consider a major purchase you have made in the last 5 years. On the internet find the company’s corporate sustainability report. Read through it and identify and list what values are important to the company and how they do or don’t demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility.
Do your findings make a difference to you and how you feel about this company and if you would continue to deal with them.

Answer 1

A major regular purchase I have made in the last 5 years is soaps and other hygiene products from a brand called Bare Necessities. This brand understands the problem of mass manufacturing and the waste it generates apart from the fact that commercial manufacturing processes are not sustainable and hurt the earth.

The people believe in a zero waste lifestyle or atleast a more sustainable lifestyle where you are mindful of the waste you generate and try your best to avoid it landing up in the landfill.

The raw materials and other products are sourced only from local farmers and especially women as a way of empowering local businesses.

Every stage from design to manufacturing to packaging to distribution is well thought out and unecessary elements are eliminated. Ingredients used are all natural and indigenous.

Apart from just production and supply, the company also raise awareness on sustainable living and conduct workshops to enlighten the community on a way of life that is more greener and definately the future of our suffocating world.

Understanding more about the products you buy, where they come from, who produces it and how much utility value it actually posesses is very important to make us a sensible consumer. At the end of the day, businesses supply those products that are demnded by consumers. We have a responsibility to be more aware in that sense, encourage companies that help better the environment and our communities.